Regional Youth Community Forum

Hey everyone ,
I wanted to start a conversation about a topic that became very relevant for the past decade: the mental health of youth, especially in relation to the influence of social media. We've seen a lot of alarming data in recent years, and I think it’s something worth discussing!!


Did you know that according to recent studies, around 70% of young people between the ages of 15 and 29 in Serbia report experiencing anxiety, with more than 50% showing signs of depression (KOMS research, Istrazivanje Zdravlje mladih.cdr)? Mental health issues like these are becoming more prevalent, and there’s a growing concern about how social media may be contributing to this trend. There’s a lot of evidence suggesting that platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok are making mental health struggles worse for many teens. In fact, studies have shown a clear link between heavy social media use and increased rates of depression and anxiety. (Social media harms teens’ mental health, mounting evidence shows. What now?)


On the flip side, there are some studies suggesting that social media can offer benefits like creating communities for people with shared interests and providing platforms for self-expression. But it's clear that the potential harms are something we need to address. Research shows that passive use of social media—just scrolling through posts without engaging—can make us compare ourselves to others, which harms our self-esteem.

What do you all think? Has social media been affecting your mental health? Or do you see any benefits? Let’s talk about it.

I definitely feel like social media is affecting the mental health of youth, myself included. I feel that the oversaturation with content that we are subjected to on a daily basis really intensifies comparisons and affects self-worth. I find myself sometimes comparing my life to others, and it's hard not to feel like I’m falling behind when I see people doing amazing things online. Even though I know that not everything posted is real, it's still tough. Plus, the pressure to keep up with trends and always post something "interesting" gets to me sometimes:(

In connection to the message above, this article from Oblakoder Magazine really delves into this issue. It majorly focuses on the distinction of active and passive use of social media, and how passive scrolling or just binge-watching content has negative effects such as the “social comparison” that you were mentioning. For Serbian native speakers, check it out!

link: https://www.oblakodermagazin.rs/da-li-p ... demencije/

I get what you’re saying, but I also feel like social media helped me during the lockdown. I could keep in touch with friends, even when everything was shut down. I think it depends on how you use it. For me, it's been more of a positive thing, especially finding communities around things I love, like gaming or music, and I would say that's more of an “active use”. But I can see how it can spiral if you let it.

It’s wild to see how social media has evolved. I was reading an article recently that explains how platforms like Tik Tok and Instagram are designed to keep you hooked and addicted. They’ve added so many features that feed into the addiction, and it’s not surprising that mental health issues are skyrocketing among teens. It feels like there’s more pressure now than ever. On the other hand, having social media is so normalized that when you do not have one you are considered weird.

I’ve seen similar studies that show the connection between heavy social media use and mental health problems. The study I linked below found that 68% of youth reported feeling more isolated after spending time on social media. It makes sense when you think about it—you're scrolling through posts, and you end up comparing your life to what you see online, which can make you feel like you're missing out. (link: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7785056/ ).

This might sound weird, but sometimes I feel like social media has actually helped me with my anxiety. It’s a place to find people who understand what I’m going through, especially when it comes to mental health struggles. There are even groups for people with depression or anxiety where you can talk anonymously. For me, it’s been a way to feel less alone. I think there are benefits, but the key is not to get lost in the negatives.

Honestly, I believe that mental health issues are a complex problem amongst youth. It is not just one thing but a number of factors that influence mental health. I have seen the other topics on this forum and all of them influence how young people feel and think. Anxiety and depression are amplified by the fact that we do not really have a bright future and that it is a struggle to live a decent life. I do not know... but my perception is that this issue is multilayered and that our overall life should improve first. Social media is just a drop in the sea of other problems young people face every day.

Whilst we are on this topic, in May of this year I joined a cool event on the topic of mental health of youth, were the discussion among young individuals, actors, was led by a psychologist. I recommend everyone to watch, as it was very helpful for me to let go of some personal burdens...

Here is a link to the YouTube video of the panel discussion:) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8mEk2FOSh-A

Hey everyone!!

If any of you struggle or think about seeking help, maybe a good first step is to see how you cope with everyday struggles. Here is a cool quiz that can provide some answers:)

https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/test ... b3223867a7

Hey, I just wanted to share a bit about my mental health journey. Social media really took a toll on me, making me feel like I wasn’t enough or falling behind. I’d get caught up in comparisons, and it made everything feel worse. Here’s what I’ve done to feel better:

Take breaks from social media – I try to limit my screen time and turn off notifications when I can. (THIS IS SOO IMPORTANT!)
Unfollow negative accounts – If something makes me feel bad, I just unfollow it, whether that be an ex or someone who triggers you
Talk to friends – Opening up about how I feel has been a big help, and prioritize social in-person activities
Focus on self-care – I do small things like exercise or meditate to clear my mind.

Ivan_1234 wrote: ↑Wed Dec 18, 2024 3:37 pm It’s wild to see how social media has evolved. I was reading an article recently that explains how platforms like Tik Tok and Instagram are designed to keep you hooked and addicted. They’ve added so many features that feed into the addiction, and it’s not surprising that mental health issues are skyrocketing among teens. It feels like there’s more pressure now than ever. On the other hand, having social media is so normalized that when you do not have one you are considered weird.

They are addictive FOR SUREEE!! I do not know about you but sometimes I literately feel the "brain rot". After spending too much time on my phone, I often get this anxious feeling and just have to leave the phone, but I CANNOT.

Hey everyone... Just wanted to mention how funny was to watch the American people go into a state of hysteria over the Tik Tok ban. I mean, I understand that for some Tik Tok is their livelihood, but everyone was going crazy over the possibility that they might lose one social media and eventually hop over on another. I do not know. It was very interesting to observe how we became extremely independent on something that can just disappear over a day, alongside our memories or creations (content).

asja123 wrote: ↑Wed Dec 18, 2024 3:41 pm This might sound weird, but sometimes I feel like social media has actually helped me with my anxiety. It’s a place to find people who understand what I’m going through, especially when it comes to mental health struggles. There are even groups for people with depression or anxiety where you can talk anonymously. For me, it’s been a way to feel less alone. I think there are benefits, but the key is not to get lost in the negatives.

Hmm interesting. I would never say it helped me, but I do spend TOO MUCH TIME ON MY PHONE. If you have any good recommendations on influencers or people that talk about some smart things, please link them up

Hey peeps!!

Let me share few TED Talks with yall that really changed my perspective on my own mental health and my perception of it. When I say it changed me, I MEAN IT!

soo goo watch it!!!

here ya go:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yzm4gpAKrBk
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WWloIAQpMcQ
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=78nsxRxbf4w&t=19s

Not sure if anyone mentioned this above, but for me social media, especially Instagram and Tik Tok are important. For one reason: they allow me to express creatively through media each part of my character. They allow us to present to the world who we are, how we change, how we perceive our reality, and I think thats beautiful:)

So there are really some good parts of it for our mental health, especially if you are a creative individual.

Just coming here to share this article.. It does a really god job at showing the realistic state of the mental health of young people in Bosnia and Herzegovina...
here ya go: https://balkans.aljazeera.net/teme/2025 ... amljenosti

AnesMemic8 wrote: ↑Fri Feb 07, 2025 1:43 pm Just coming here to share this article.. It does a really god job at showing the realistic state of the mental health of young people in Bosnia and Herzegovina...
here ya go: https://balkans.aljazeera.net/teme/2025 ... amljenosti

I just glazed over this article but this caught my eye "Anxiety and stress are often the result of school pressures, fear of failure, uncertainty about the future, social pressure, and the need for acceptance in a peer group or family. They also often face depression, lack of support from family or friends, conflicts with parents, relationship problems, as well as challenges related to identity and self-acceptance. The problem and influence of social networks, Internet addiction, cyberbullying and the pressure of the virtual world are becoming more and more common." I really felt this. Pressure about school and fear of failing in school essentially is presented to us as failing in life. This is huge pressure to any young person that is finding themselves.

I am interested into hearing your oppinion on Cyberbullying & Online Harassment.

Yeah, cyberbullying is a huge issue, especially for young people. It can lead to anxiety, depression, and even suicidal thoughts because it’s relentless and often anonymous. Unlike traditional bullying, it doesn’t stop when someone leaves school—it follows them home through their phone or computer. The worst part is how fast rumors or harmful messages can spread, making it feel impossible to escape. That’s why education, parental support, and better online safety measures are so important. Have you seen any specific cases or trends that stand out to you?