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What Is TikTok?

TikTok is a popular social media app that allows users to create, watch, and share 15-second videos shot on mobile devices or webcams. With its personalized feeds of quirky short videos set to music and sound effects, the app isnotable for itsaddictive quality and high levels of engagement.

Amateur and professional creators alike can add effects like filters, background music, and stickers to their videos, and can collaborate on content and create split-screen duet videos even if they're in different locations.

Understanding TikTok

TikTok is a social media app dedicated to short-form videos created for and consumed by users. The length of videos is 15 to 60 seconds.

The format lends itself to entertainment and comedy. However, it is increasingly used for infotainment. Influencers who gain a steady audience on TikTok offer snippets of advice and tips along with self-promotion. Beauty, fashion, personal finance and budgeting, and cooking are all popular topics for informational videos. Increasingly, the format is used to promote and sell products.

Launched in its present form in 2018, TikTok joined the ranks of social media giants in record time. It had about one billion active monthly users worldwide by September 2021. A 2022 marketing report by data.ai (formerly App Annie) predicted that TikTok will break three billion downloads worldwide as well as users spending $3 billion across iOS and Google Play by the end of the year.

Like all social media companies, TikTok has been the target of persistent concerns about the potential use or misuse of the private information that it gathers about its users. The difference is that the majority of TikTok is Chinese-owned.

TikTok's Launch

The name TikTok is meant to suggest the short format of the videos. Launched in September 2016 by the Chinese startup company ByteDance, it's known there as Douyin. Its stratospheric growth in usage really began in late 2017, when it acquired a rival app, Musical.ly, and ported over its 200-million-account list to TikTok.

ByteDance was reportedly worth up to $140 billion by mid-2020, based on the private sale of a small stake in the company. TikTok alone was said to be worth about $50 billion. That would make it the most valuable startup in the world.

TikTok's Business

Marketing on TikTok is still maturing, but a growing number of agencies are eager to help brands create the kind of quirky content that gets clicks on TikTok. Conventional advertising that stresses a product's superior qualities doesn't work. Light, fun campaigns set to music hit the spot. The ultimate goal is to go viral on the site and spur imitations by TikTok users.

Some of the successful marketing campaigns on TikTok:

The Chipotle restaurant chain ran a Halloween "Boorito" coupon giveaway campaign encouraging TikTok users to dress up for the holiday and post their images. The campaign scored four billion views.

e.l.f. Cosmetics teamed up with a few social media influencers to create an online reality show and contest called #eyeslipsface. The ad campaign had 9.4 billion clicks as of July 2022.

The NBA signed up for an account and scored more than 15.8 million hits as of July 2022. Its aim is to enhance global awareness of the NBA, particularly among young people.

TikTok has offices in Beijing; Berlin; Jakarta, Indonesia; London; Los Angeles; Moscow; Mumbai, India; Seoul, South Korea; Shanghai; Singapore; and Tokyo.

Other TikTok Revenue Sources

Like many other social media sites, TikTok also makes money from in-app purchases. Users can buy coins priced from 99 cents to $99.99 and use them to tip their favorite creators on the platform.

The company grossed $80 million from in-app purchases globally, according to a 2019 industry report. In the first quarter (Q1) of 2019, user spending reached an estimated $189 million globally-222% more than the app grossed during the same period in 2018. That amount ballooned to more than $2.3 billion in 2021, helped in part by the COVID-19 pandemic, which increased social media usage amid lockdowns and other restrictions. As of June 2022, TikTok has earned an estimated $5.5 billion in total lifetime revenue.

TikTok only started running display advertising in 2019. Instead, brands open user accounts on TikTok and, just like any of its users, create and post mini-videos. They can pay to promote their videos to other users. The ultimate goal is to go viral and spur takeoffs, drawing in a huge audience for their brand's message.

TikTok's User Base

TikTok is one of the world's most popular social media apps and is available in more than 150 markets and more than 35 languages. The app has seen more than 3.5 billion downloads worldwide, making it one of the most popular apps ever.

Here's a breakdown of some of the app's most notable demographics:

About 40% of users are aged 18 to 24.

56% are female.

About 141 million active users are from the U.S.

Its users spend an average of 46 minutes per day on it.

TikTok and Politics

Like most social media sites, TikTok is not immune to controversy. TikTok and many other Chinese-made apps were banned in India in mid-2020 as a danger to the nation's sovereignty. The move came amid growing tensions between the two nations.

TikTok is banned in Bangladesh. It was also briefly banned in Indonesia for "pornography, inappropriate content, and blasphemy." The ban was overturned a week later after the company promised to take all objectionable content off the platform and set up a local office to monitor and sanitize content.

In February 2019, the company paid $5.7 million in the U.S. to settle allegations that it illegally collected personal information from children. It is the largest civil penalty ever obtained by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) in a children's privacy case.

TikTok and the Trump Administration

Starting in July 2020, then-President Donald Trump launched a public attack on TikTok, threatening to ban it from the U.S. on the grounds that the Chinese Communist Party could use data gathered on its users to spy on U.S. citizens. He demanded that TikTok be sold to U.S. interests to eliminate the threat.

Concerns about social media companies' use and misuse of private information is a bipartisan issue in Washington, so the concern gained some traction. However, by September 2020, Trump had declared that he had solved the problem. TikTok's U.S. operations would be severed from its Chinese owner, ByteDance, and incorporated as a U.S. company.

The proposed deal would have created a new spinoff company, TikTok Global. Oracle would own a 12.5% stake in the company and become its cloud provider in the U.S. This may have been intended to alleviate concerns that China was using TikTok to gather data on Americans, but apparently, the real change is minimal. TikTok data on U.S. users was always held in the U.S., so it's just moving from one cloud to another.

Meanwhile, Walmart tentatively agreed to buy a 7.5% stake in TikTok Global. It plans live-streamed shopping events hosted on TikTok. The remaining 80% would remain owned by ByteDance.

The tentative deal has been stalled by numerous court challenges, and the future of the proposed deal remains uncertain under the Biden administration. During a White House briefing on Feb. 10, 2021, then-Press Secretary Jen Psaki denied that President Biden had set any new policy on the app.

"So it's not accurate to suggest that there is a new proactive step by the Biden White House," Psaki said. "I will note, broadly speaking, we are comprehensively evaluating...the risks to U.S. data...including from TikTok, and we'll address them in a decisive and effective fashion." Psaki declined to set a timetable for when such a review would conclude.

Latest Developments

TikTok faces an uncertain future in the U.S. and the European Union (EU). Efforts by U.S. lawmakers to ban the use of TikTok outright have failed on several occasions due to the popularity of the app and aggressive lobbying efforts by the parent, ByteDance.

The app is under fire due to the potential for the Chinese government to mine U.S. users' data and to potentially influence them through the "For You" function on the app. The fear is that the algorithm of the "For You" function, which remains a mystery, could be used to manipulate users' behavior and potentially transmit political messaging, possibly interfering in U.S. elections.

The most likely outcome will be for ByteDance to divest a minority portion (20%) of its ownership to U.S. entities, with Oracle and Walmart being frequently mentioned as the most likely U.S. partners. Just such a proposal was made in 2020, where Walmart and Oracle would each buy 10% of a newly created entity called TikTok Global.

TikTok Global would be U.S.-based and subject to U.S. laws and regulations. The belief is that such an arrangement would safeguard the potential for data mining and influence exerted by the Chinese government. As of 2021, the deal is still under review by the Biden administration.

TikTok is also facing scrutiny by the EU and needs to come into full compliance with the EU's Digital Services Act (DSA), which seeks to vigorously protect users' private data. The EU has set a Sept. 1, 2023, deadline for TikTok to come into compliance with the DSA rules and regulations.

Failure to meet the EU's deadline could result in a ban on TikTok in the EU, according to EU Commissioner Thierry Breton. The EU has some of the most stringent privacy rules, and TikTok will be subject to audits of its efforts to stem potential data manipulation and filter content to protect the lives and safety of internet users. Failing an audit could cost the company up to 6% of its total revenue in fines and a potential outright ban in the EU.

In short, TikTok's popularity has made it a target for digital privacy monitors in multiple jurisdictions, not the least of which are the U.S. and the EU.

What company owns TikTok?

How do I invest in TikTok stock?

Is TikTok a publicly traded company?

Is TikTok banned?

When did TikTok come out?

The Bottom Line

TikTok is an astronomically popular web app, with more than 3.5 billion downloads worldwide. TikTok allows users to make short videos, roughly 15-30 seconds in length, and distribute them within the app's following. Most of the videos are based on entertainment, hijinks, and comedy. The site is particularly popular with the under-24 crowd, with about 40% of its users falling in the 18-24 age range.

At this time, TikTok is wholly and privately owned by a Chinese parent company, ByteDance, which has raised fears of TikTok being used to collect and manipulate users' data by the Chinese government or related entities. TikTok is banned in India for national security concerns, and is banned on U.S. federal and most state governments' web devices.

The U.S. and the EU are both cracking down on TikTok over privacy and ownership concerns, potentially resulting in a ban on the app in those jurisdictions. TikTok has indicated that it will make every effort to meet EU guidelines, while the situation in the U.S. revolves around the ownership by a Chinese company, suggesting that ByteDance may have to sell a portion of TikTok to yet-to-be-determined U.S. partners.

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TikTok: What It Is, How It Works, and Why It's Popular

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TikTok is one of the most popular video-sharing and social media apps in the world.

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Snapchat is an app where you add your friends and you send photos back and forth every day to eventually create a "snap streak", when you get snapped, post things to your story, or send snaps, Your snap score goes up.

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Five years ago, I wrote a column about how parents could tell the difference between normal teenage mood swings and possible mental illness. I said then that mo

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Written by: Hrishikesh Pardeshi, Founder at Flexiple, buildd & Remote Tools.
Last updated: Mar 17, 2023

If you are planning on opening a Discord account, you might benefit from knowing about the Discord app reviews. The Discord app is designed to connect users with different communities over video, text, and voice chat through Discord servers.

Although the app is popular among video game communities and developers, you can still use it for other forms of business communication. With over 150 million active monthly users and an overall rating of 4.7 out of 5, Discord is becoming one of the fastest and most efficient ways of communicating online. Read more on this article to discover the features and benefits of using Discord.

TLDR

Here are the pros and cons of using the Discord app based on the reviews of its users:

Pros:

Allows you to create free, private, or public servers

Works on mobile devices, computers, and game consoles

Allows for easy live screen-sharing

Enables text, audio, and video chat

Provides easy access to public servers

Cons:

Meant mostly for gamers

Requires payment for higher-quality video and audio

How Can You Use Discord Servers?

The Discord platform works by using servers. These servers are set up with a specific topic or theme as a way for users to connect online to discuss and exchange information, links, and images. You can set up these servers on both the desktop app and your mobile device. Discord servers offer text channels and voice chat through the microphone on the device you use.

Text channels are the most often used server, denoted by a hashtag. Users share messages as well as custom emojis, GIFS, and images.

Voice channels have a speaker icon beside them. Users can automatically hear ongoing conservation when they join a voice channel. Also, a messaging feature similar to text channels enables the server members to interact in multiple ways simultaneously.

Users might get invited to servers or find connections online to access them. Usually, the server owner or administrator establishes some ground rules regarding what the server is about and the expected behavior.

What Is the Minimum Age Requirement for Discord?

Discord's terms of service require users to be at least 13 years to access the app. This is because of the potential for inappropriate content, such as swearing, graphic images, and language, as the communities are user-generated. Discord also has NSFW (Not Safe For Work) servers and channels that require users to be at least 18 years old to join.

Discord Plans and Pricing

Discord has a free version that can perform many functions. It also has the premium version called Discord Nitro. Discord nitro allows users to customize their profiles, use different avatars for different servers, and use custom stickers and emojis. Nitro users also have access to higher-quality videos and upload sizes. Discord nitro prices vary depending on the plan you want to pay for and can start at $2.99/month.

To access Discord Nitro, go to your Users Setting, a gear icon at the bottom of your screen. At the menu that appears, click on Nitro under the Billing Settings category to select the plan of your choice.

Discord Features

The Discord app has the following features:

Server Discovery

Discord aims to bring people together to form a community of like-minded values. The Server Discovery feature allows Discord users to find and join new communities easily. It currently has public community servers in the following categories:

You can access this feature by clicking on the Compass icon at the bottom of the server list.

Age-Restricted Commands

Age-restricted commands are functions that contain contents meant for users that are at least 18 years old. To ensure the safety of Discord members, these policies require that developers categorize adult content as age-restricted and ensure they are not distributed to users under 18.

You can access this function by enabling the toggle button within Server Privacy Defaults, which you can find under Privacy in the User Settings.

Video Backgrounds

Video backgrounds are virtual backgrounds that users can apply during a streaming session when they turn on their cameras for calls. Discord users can express themselves with video backgrounds by selecting from various Discord-provided backgrounds, while nitro users can create custom backgrounds.

You can access this feature by going to the Voice & Video tab in your Users Setting. Scroll down till you see your video background option under the Always Preview Video category.

Slash Commands

The slash command functions are a way for users to interact with bots on Discord. With this function, all you need to do is type / on the chat box, and you can use any of the available bots. This command list can also filter commands as you type, making it easy to browse or find exactly what you want.

Voice Chat

Discord makes it possible for people a user to set up a voice call with other users or members of a server during a meeting or a video game session. All you have to do is join a voice channel and click on the prompt to connect. This feature also has a Push-to-Talk function. The Push-to-Talk function can allow a user to only talk during a voice chat when they press that button.

Video Chat

Video chats allow users to stay connected with other users within your DMs or server's voice channels. During video calls, you can choose to video chat only, share your screen only, or do both. You can access this feature on your desktop and mobile device.

Go Live and Screen Share

Go live and Screen Share enables you to share the screen of any application window in a voice call or server. You can also set the streaming and audio quality you want when screen sharing, although most of the higher qualities are meant for nitro users. There are also certain permission levels you need to enable if you are the server owner to allow other members to use this feature effectively.

Reduced Motion Setting

Discord uses motion effects to create the illusion of depth. However, this feature can cause issues for users that get affected by excessive movement and motion within apps. This is why the Reduced Motion feature was added to Discord. This feature limits an animation's intensity and movement on Discord. You can find this setting in the Accessibility tab under the Appearance category in your Users Settings.

Custom Status

Custom statuses allow you to tell your Discord friends how you are feeling without having to send a direct message to them. You can customize your personal status to inform others of what you are doing. Access this feature by clicking on your Profile Picture at the bottom left corner of the app and selecting Set a custom status.

Channel Following

Channel following allows you to get announcements from your favourite servers to your server in a channel of your choice. The announcement posts will come from a bot named after the server the posts come from. It also sends images and links sent to that channel.

Screen Reader

A person can use the screen reader feature available on Discord to help them navigate the app effectively. Screen readers are excellent for people who might be visually impaired and rely on screen readers to dictate the text chat on the screen and explain the features currently displayed.

Discord's Privacy and Security Settings

Discord has certain security practices that make it safe for a user to use the app. You can enable the following privacy and security settings on Discord:

Block Users

You can block a user on Discord by clicking on the name of the user you wish to block and selecting Block at the bottom of the menu that appears.

Choose Who Can Add You as a Friend

Setting up who can add you as a friend is also a beneficial service Discord offers. You can adjust friend request privileges by deciding who can add you as a friend on Discord. Access this setting in the Fiend Request menu.

Block Direct Messages

You can block DMs from other members in your own server. You can do this by going to your Privacy & Safety menu and deselecting the Allow Direct Messages from Server Members tab.

Report Someone

You can simply report the activity or user if you notice or see any suspicious activity on Discord. You can do this by submitting a request to Discord support. The link for the support page is https://support.discord.com/.

Filter Inappropriate Content Out of Direct Messages

Discord offers a traffic-light color-coded system to identify if messages can be checked for inappropriate content. You can find this feature under the Privacy & Safety Menu, where you can choose from three options:

Keep me safe. Scans DMs from everyone.

My friends are nice. Scans DMs from everyone unless they are friends.

Do not scan. DMs won't be scanned for inappropriate content.

What Are the Benefits of the Discord App?

The benefits of using the Discord app include the following:

Streaming

Discord allows you to stream any open window on your PC and mobile device. You can stream the software you use or the games you play. This feature makes it easier for you to have fun with friends and to display study or work-related presentations.

Versatility

On the Discord app, there are various options you can choose from for communicating with others. You can decide to communicate by text messaging others or by creating a text and voice-only channel. In the voice channel, you also have the added advantage of communicating through video conversations, while in the text channel, you can send photos, files, emojis, etc.

Online Games

Another reason you can use Discord is to play games with your friends. Gamers can create a channel and invite their friends to have a gaming session. The app is lightweight, so it doesn't interfere with your gaming performance or causes lag during matches. You can also use this app to locate servers that play certain games.

Meetings

Discord makes it easier for you to handle meetings for even business reasons. This can include video or audio meetings. You can also create private channels that allow only the meeting participants to join.

Distance Communications

You can use the Discord app to communicate with friends and family that are not close to you in location. By creating a server for your family, friends, or co-workers, you can easily connect with them.

Is Discord Safe?

You can use Discord safely with the right privacy settings and monitoring. However, there is always a risk involved when it involves sites and apps with open chats. To ensure their children's safety, parents can ensure that they only participate in private servers and accept friend requests from people they already know and not from strangers.

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Discord App Reviews: Pros & Cons, Pricing, Features

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Want to know what the reviews say about the Discord app? Learn more about the Discord app reviews, its pros & pons, pricing, features and more.

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When Bailen Meyercheck learned that his Roblox avatar had suddenly changed, the 11-year-old immediately knew his account had been hacked. Roblox, an online multiplayer game used by millions of players each day, is an important part of the fifth grader's social life, as it is for many kids his age. As soon as he realized what happened, he took steps to secure his account, which included turning on two-factor authentication. Unfortunately, he had created his account with a now-defunct email address and said he lost years of hard work. "My avatar, my Robux [in-game currency], game passes, and games I had created got deleted. I lost all of the progress I had made," he said.

Bailen's losses might sound minor to a grown-up who doesn't know much about Roblox, but kids work hard to gain special items and build friendships in the virtual world. Whether they're catching zombies, exploring virtual reality, or creating their own unique games, the options within the Roblox empire are endless. And for many kids like Bailen, this virtual world rose in importance when their actual world shuttered in the face of the coronavirus-Roblox's revenue increased by 200% during the pandemic. Not able to run around the playground with friends, many kids settled for their avatars running around a virtual town in Roblox instead.

Despite contacting customer support, Bailen's mom Jen Meyercheck said she was unable to recover his account. Her son lost at least $100 in digital items he had purchased or bought with gift cards he received. Now that he's created a new account, Bailen said he doesn't purchase digital items anymore. "If that happens again, I don't want to lose another $100," he said.

Given the popularity of Roblox, the Meyerchecks are just one family navigating a complicated relationship with the game. One likely reason Bailen's account was hacked is that scammers can sell Robux back to the corporation for actual cash, essentially stealing birthday and chore money from unsuspecting kids. [Editors' Note: A representative from Roblox clarified that "It is not possible to sell Robux back to Roblox. As a developer, you can DevEx (essentially checkout of your account once you've earned Robux through something you've created), but you cannot "checkout" or "sell Robux to Roblox" as a user."] And losing money is just one risk of playing. Kids can also be harassed or bullied online, encounter nasty language, or worse, find rooms in the game where avatars simulate sex and have sexually explicit conversations.

But it's not all bad and the benefits can outweigh the risks-as long as parents help kids navigate them.

Weighing the Risks and Rewards of Online Gaming

Despite their negative experience, the Meyercheck family still finds value in Roblox. "As parents, we should be creating guardrails for our kids," Jen Meyercheck said. "We also need to be willing to make hard decisions. That said, online gaming is so popular with kids these days, and I've noticed my kids actually tend to have really wholesome and relationship-building time with friends they may not otherwise be able to get together with."
Roblox has decent safety mechanisms and parental controls, but it is what it is. It's a multiplayer online game, and that has some risks
- Julianna Miner, author of Raising a Screen-Smart Kid

Jen Meyercheck, who works as a UX design program manager, describes herself as the kind of parent who's well versed in technology. Still, "I find most of today's tech to be unnecessarily hard to monitor," she said. "Roblox is an absolute mystery to me."

She's run out of patience with digital monitoring and has had to rely more on educating her kids. "I generally block access to Roblox during certain times using our wireless mesh network settings, and talk to the kids regularly about scams, hacks, suspicious behavior in others, and how to spot bots."

What Are the Risks for Kids Who Play Roblox?

The risks of Roblox vary in intensity and frequency, according to Julianna Miner, author of Raising a Screen-Smart Kid. For example, it is likely children will see negative comments or have some directed at them. It is unlikely that they will run into a predator who is using the game for nefarious purposes. "The things that really scare us as parents-they are really rare," she said.

While the worst outcomes may be rare, they do happen, and parents need to be aware of them to come up with appropriate strategies for keeping their kids safe.

As far as hacking and scams like Bailen Meyercheck experienced, they are more common than predators. If the scam is reported, Roblox may ban the offending account. Kids should be taught that there's always risk involved in spending real money in online worlds, but an offer for free in-game currency is a sign that something's wrong.

Roblox does work constantly to oversee its platform. Personal information and profanity are blacked out in chat boxes, for example, and the servers are monitored 24/7 for concerns.

One of the most shocking problems the game has faced is simulated sex and sex talk. It takes place in "condos," or online, user-generated spaces. Players talk about sex, some avatars are depicted nude, and the human-like figures have simulated sex. Clearly, such content has no place in an online world that's largely inhabited by children.

A condo isn't the kind of place a player would merely stumble upon-they must actively seek it out. And most of these spaces are identified and removed within an hour, a Roblox spokesperson told the BBC. Regardless, kids have a way of finding themselves in places they shouldn't be, and it's dangerous for those places to exist in Roblox for however short a time.

Once again, the best defense is to combine having conversations about online behavior-what's appropriate and what's not, and what children should do if they find themselves in a position they shouldn't be-with oversight and monitoring. Monitoring alone isn't enough.

Given the dangers, parents find themselves questioning if they should let their kids play Roblox at all. That answer is dependent on each kid and each family, Miner said.

Miner, who has a background in public health, approaches the kids-and-tech problem through that lens. The dangers kids face in games "has increasingly become a public health topic," she said. "The mental health data is so severe. We get more data that talks about the relationship between [online interactions and mental health] and we can't ignore it."

That doesn't mean Miner is against Roblox, though. "Roblox has decent safety mechanisms and parental controls, but it is what it is. It's a multiplayer online game, and that has some risks," she said.

While Miner said there is no truly accurate data on how many parents let their kids play online multiplayer games, those games have become part of the social fabric. During the pandemic, she noted that games and online interactivity were the only social outlet kids had. While kids may have additional social opportunities now, Roblox and other online spaces are still important to many of them. "Both gaming and social media remain primary social drivers for most American kids," she said.

What Safety Tools Does Roblox Give Parents?

A spokesperson for Roblox said the company is aware of both legitimate concerns and viral rumors of concerns.

According to the spokesperson: "We have a safety-first culture at Roblox and work tirelessly to maintain a platform that is safe, civil, and welcoming for all. People come to Roblox to express themselves creatively and connect with friends. These interactions, experiences, and items are precious to them, which is why we have a stringent safety system in place and strict restrictions around sharing personal information, zero-tolerance for behavior that doesn't meet our Community Standards, and features specifically aimed at protecting younger members of the Roblox community."

The team at Roblox points adults to several resources to help keep their kids safe, including parental guidelines, chat settings, and age verification features. For example, kid accounts are classified as those younger than 13 years and older than 13. Kids younger than 13 have stronger filters on their in-game chats and are more limited in the language that they're allowed to both say and read. The account owner, which in most cases would be a parent, can further limit or disable who's allowed to chat with the child player and who can follow them into different areas of the game or invite them to private servers. Those controls are in the Chat & Privacy Settings. Account owners can also protect these settings with a PIN or multi-factor authentication.

If a parent is letting their kid graduate into having more freedom in Roblox, the parent might still want to review the account history from time to time to see their friends list, who has sent direct messages to the player, what items they've purchased, and so forth.

Other Ways to Make Online Gaming Safe for Kids

There are dozens of parental monitoring software options, such as Norton Family and Net Nanny. Their functionality in online multiplayer games can vary, though, and parents cannot simply install monitoring software and walk away.

Top Ways to Protect Your Kids Online

Conversations about bad behavior online between parents and kids need to include discussions about what will happen to the child if they come forth with information about something untoward happening online. For the youngest kids, coming to the parent first is probably ideal. As they get older, however, they should know that Roblox has anonymous systems for reporting bad actors, and that using them will not bring consequences to kids. "Tattling," in this instance, is the right choice.

The Benefits of Kids Playing Roblox

Many parents of avid Roblox players have not encountered any of the issues the Meyerchecks faced (or worse), and do experience the positive benefits of letting their kids play. These should also be taken into account as parents decide whether and how much to let their kids engage online.
Online gaming is so popular with kids these days, and I've noticed my kids actually tend to have really wholesome and relationship-building time with friends
- Jen Meyercheck, mom of Roblox-playing kids

In Lancaster, Pennsylvania, Casey Hambleton has had a wholly positive experience with Roblox for their eight-year-old, Charlie. "My kid plays constantly. No issues. As a homeschool parent, it has helped her develop reading and spelling skills that are at a high school level even though she's eight." Charlie was never motivated to learn to read with traditional books, but wanting to chat with others and read the in-game commentary did the trick.

Siv Fern Eng, a mom of two daughters in Seattle, said that playing the game together is a bonding experience. "For us, Roblox has become a fun family thing. We have all played together on several occasions," she said. During the pandemic, their whole family had their avatars meet up outside the Disneyland castle. "We took a picture in front of the castle during the fireworks!" For the most part, Eng's kids play on private servers with kids they know in real life, which seems to have avoided most issues. She is aware that safety concerns do exist, though.

Vigilance Makes the Risks Manageable

Ultimately, each parent has to decide if Roblox is the right choice for their child-and educate themselves on the platform if they choose to allow it. Meyercheck, despite her negative experiences, continues to believe the value outweighs the risks for now. "With gaming, the kids have a lot of getting-to-know-you chatter going on while playing. I hear them coaching each other through how to reach certain levels, win challenges, etcetera. They laugh together. They playfully tease one another. They also encourage one another and celebrate wins."

Miner said the Meyerchecks are on the right path by frequent monitoring, constantly reevaluating the situation, and having ongoing discussions about online safety and civility. "We don't want to create the anxiety of threat being everywhere, but we do want to talk about it. Most of this stuff can be managed. Think about this logically. How can we limit the likelihood of this happening?" She added, "Gaming can be fun sibling and family bonding time when they all get along. It's definitely not all bad; we just have to be careful."

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Kids Are Obsessed With Roblox, But Is It Safe?

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Sex rooms, scams, and stolen Robux-are the risks of big online games worth it? And how can you make them safer? Parents, kids, and experts weigh in.

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https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/educational/wecan/reduce-screen-time/index.htm#:~:text=Health%20experts%20say%20screen%20time,(increasing%20our%20energy%20out).

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Limit Computer Time and Television Usage

For many of us, limiting our computer use and getting away from all screens can be a challenge. "Screen time" means television screens, computer monitors, and even the handheld devices we use for checking email, listening to music, watching TV, and playing video games on the go.

Health experts say screen time at home should be limited to two hours or less a day. The time we spend in front of the screen, unless it's work- or homework-related, could be better spent being more physically active (increasing our energy out).

As a parent or caregiver, you can set a good example for your kids and set rules that limit their computer time, TV watching, and video game playing to reduce how much time they spend in front of a screen. Research by the Henry J. Kaiser Foundation shows that setting rules about media use is hard for many parents.

In 8- to 18-year-olds:

28% said their parents set TV-watching rules

30% said their parents set rules about video game use

36% said their parents set rules about computer use

However, the same study also showed that when parents set any media rules, children's media use is almost three hours lower per day.

Other Screen-Time Statistics
( Source: Henry J. Kaiser Foundation, "Generation M ²: Media in the Lives of 8-18 Year Olds," January 2010)
Children ages 8-18 spend the following amount of time in front of the screen each day:

Approximately 7.5 hours using entertainment media

Approximately 4.5 hours watching TV

Approximately 1.5 hours on the computer

Over an hour playing video games

These data lie in stark contrast to the 25 minutes per day that children spend reading books.

Today's youth also have the following media in their bedrooms:

More than one in three have a computer, and Internet access

Half have video game players

More than two out of three have TVs
Those with bedroom TVs spend an hour more in front of the screen than those without TVs

Screen Time Reduction Tools

The following tools may help you and your family reduce screen time and increase ENERGY OUT. For more information, visit the Tips to Reduce Screen Time page.

We Can! Reduce Children's Screen Time Chart (141 KB): Use this resource to track how much time your children spend watching TV, playing video games, or sitting in front of a computer.

Stories you can share with family, friends, and/or your local media:

Last Updated: February 13, 2013

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Tools for reducing the amount of time your family spends in front of a screen

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Addiction happens when you have low impulse control. The same thing happens with drugs. The similarities are there when it comes to the amount of times a day you use social media compared to the amount of times per day a drug addict would you marijuana, heroin, etc. It takes 21 days to build a habit so when you continuously use nicotine its like turning on your phone to text somebody or open TikTok, or that adrenaline rush when you get a text from somebody you don't like, or maybe even receiving positive feedback from others such as likes, views, and shares.

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The influence of social media on youth mental health is shaped by many complex factors, including, but not limited to, the amount of time children and adolescents spend on platforms, the type of content they consume or are otherwise exposed to, the activities and interactions social media affords, and the degree to which it disrupts activities that are essential for health like sleep and physical activity. Importantly, different children and adolescents are affected by social media in different ways, based on their individual strengths and vulnerabilities, and based on cultural, historical, and socio-economic factors., There is broad agreement among the scientific community that social media has the potential to both benefit and harm children and adolescents.,

Brain development is a critical factor to consider when assessing the risk for harm. Adolescents, ages 10 to 19, are undergoing a highly sensitive period of brain development., This is a period when risk-taking behaviors reach their peak, when well-being experiences the greatest fluctuations, and when mental health challenges such as depression typically emerge.,, Furthermore, in early adolescence, when identities and sense of self-worth are forming, brain development is especially susceptible to social pressures, peer opinions, and peer comparison., Frequent social media use may be associated with distinct changes in the developing brain in the amygdala (important for emotional learning and behavior) and the prefrontal cortex (important for impulse control, emotional regulation, and moderating social behavior), and could increase sensitivity to social rewards and punishments., As such, adolescents may experience heightened emotional sensitivity to the communicative and interactive nature of social media. Adolescent social media use is predictive of a subsequent decrease in life satisfaction for certain developmental stages including for girls 11-13 years old and boys 14-15 years old. Because adolescence is a vulnerable period of brain development, social media exposure during this period warrants additional scrutiny.

The Potential Benefits of Social Media Use Among Children and Adolescents

Social media can provide benefits for some youth by providing positive community and connection with others who share identities, abilities, and interests. It can provide access to important information and create a space for self-expression. The ability to form and maintain friendships online and develop social connections are among the positive effects of social media use for youth., These relationships can afford opportunities to have positive interactions with more diverse peer groups than are available to them offline and can provide important social support to youth. The buffering effects against stress that online social support from peers may provide can be especially important for youth who are often marginalized, including racial, ethnic, and sexual and gender minorities.,, For example, studies have shown that social media may support the mental health and well-being of lesbian, gay, bisexual, asexual, transgender, queer, intersex and other youths by enabling peer connection, identity development and management, and social support. Seven out of ten adolescent girls of color report encountering positive or identity-affirming content related to race across social media platforms. A majority of adolescents report that social media helps them feel more accepted (58%), like they have people who can support them through tough times (67%), like they have a place to show their creative side (71%), and more connected to what's going on in their friends' lives (80%). In addition, research suggests that social media-based and other digitally-based mental health interventions may also be helpful for some children and adolescents by promoting help-seeking behaviors and serving as a gateway to initiating mental health care.,,,,

The Potential Harms of Social Media Use Among Children and Adolescents

Over the last decade, evidence has emerged identifying reasons for concern about the potential negative impact of social media on children and adolescents.

A longitudinal cohort study of U.S. adolescents aged 12-15 (n=6,595) that adjusted for baseline mental health status found that adolescents who spent more than 3 hours per day on social media faced double the risk of experiencing poor mental health outcomes including symptoms of depression and anxiety.

As of 2021, 8th and 10th graders now spend an average of 3.5 hours per day on social media. In a unique natural experiment that leveraged the staggered introduction of a social media platform across U.S. colleges, the roll-out of the platform was associated with an increase in depression (9% over baseline) and anxiety (12% over baseline) among college-aged youth (n = 359,827 observations). The study's co-author also noted that when applied across the entirety of the U.S. college population, the introduction of the social media platform may have contributed to more than 300,000 new cases of depression., If such sizable effects occurred in college-aged youth, these findings raise serious concerns about the risk of harm from social media exposure for children and adolescents who are at a more vulnerable stage of brain development.

Limits on the use of social media have resulted in mental health benefits for young adults and adults. A small, randomized controlled trial in college-aged youth found that limiting social media use to 30 minutes daily over three weeks led to significant improvements in depression severity. This effect was particularly large for those with high baseline levels of depression who saw an improvement in depression scores by more than 35%. Another randomized controlled trial among young adults and adults found that deactivation of a social media platform for four weeks improved subjective well-being (i.e., self-reported happiness, life satisfaction, depression, and anxiety) by about 25-40% of the effect of psychological interventions like self-help therapy, group training, and individual therapy.

In addition to these recent studies, correlational research on associations between social media use and mental health has indicated reason for concern and further investigation. These studies point to a higher relative concern of harm in adolescent girls and those already experiencing poor mental health,,, as well as for particular health outcomes like cyberbullying-related depression, body image and disordered eating behaviors, and poor sleep quality linked to social media use. For example, a study conducted among 14-year-olds (n = 10,904) found that greater social media use predicted poor sleep, online harassment, poor body image, low self-esteem, and higher depressive symptom scores with a larger association for girls than boys. A majority of parents of adolescents say they are somewhat, very, or extremely worried that their child's use of social media could lead to problems with anxiety or depression (53%), lower self-esteem (54%), being harassed or bullied by others (54%), feeling pressured to act a certain way (59%), and exposure to explicit content (71%).

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Social Media Has Both Positive and Negative Impacts on Children and Adolescents

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The influence of social media on youth mental health is shaped by many complex factors, including, but not limited to, the amount of time children and adolescents spend on platforms, the type of content they consume or are otherwise exposed to, the activities and interactions social media affords, and the

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Addiction to Social Media

What Is A Social Media Addiction?
Social media addiction is a behavioral addiction that involves an excessive concern about social media to the point where its use begins to impact your health and everyday life.
It is no secret that social media use is popular among young people in the United States, and many people who use social media don't see any problems related to their use.

However, with a social media addiction, individuals have an uncontrollable urge to check and use social media.

Overuse of social media has been linked with numerous mental health problems and can lead to social media addiction.

What Is Considered Excessive Social Media Use?
Excessive social media use is typically more than 2 hours a day.
However, it is often recommended to spend a maximum amount of 30 minutes on social media daily.

Why Is Social Media Addictive?
Social media use can trigger the brain's reward system, boosting the "feel-good" hormone, dopamine.
Because of this, the brain continues to seek out this pleasurable feeling, which can result in an unhealthy cycle.

What Are Examples Of Social Media Addiction?
A common example of social media addiction can be a teenager who constantly needs to check in on Instagram or Tiktok. If they don't check their social media accounts, they can't stop thinking about it.

In this scenario, they may become upset or irritated if they don't have access to social media. These withdrawal symptoms can make it hard for them to focus on other things since all they can think about is getting on social media.

The addiction to social media is highlighted by its negative impact on a person's life. Socially, personally, emotionally, and as a whole.

How Many Hours Of Social Media Is Considered Addictive?
No set amount of hours defines a social media addiction.
Social media addiction is usually gauged by how much of a negative impact it has on the person and the uncontrollable urge to check or use it.

A person may not necessarily spend four consecutive hours every day on social media, but they may constantly be checking it and finding themselves quickly distracted. They are often pulled into using it again despite the negative consequences.

Why Is Social Media Dangerously Addictive?
Social media use triggers the brain's reward system and causes a release of dopamine.
Dopamine is known as the "feel-good" brain chemical, and it plays a major role in feelings of pleasure, motivation, and satisfaction.

So, when a person uses social media and gets a surge of dopamine, they begin to crave more rewards and seek them out from social media. Social media algorithms are also programmed to show a constant stream of content that you enjoy the most, which can make it more addictive.

Additionally, social media sites often involve very short videos, which some refer to as "hits" of dopamine. These short bursts of chemicals in the brain can increase addictive behaviors.

Social Media Addiction Statistics

What Percentage Of The Population Is Addicted To Social Media?
Nearly 10% of the U.S. population is addicted to social media.
However, the exact number is hard to gauge as there is no set guideline for diagnosing social media addiction.

Who Is Most Likely To Experience Social Media Addiction?
Teens and young adults are most likely to experience addictive use of social media.
During the adolescent years, the brain is still undergoing major development. Those developments put teenagers at a higher risk of addictive behavior, including social media addiction. Technology use is often a prevalent factor in the lives of young people, which can make them more susceptible to all kinds of internet addiction.

What Generation Is Most Addicted To Social Media?
Millennials, or those born between 1981 and 1996, are considered to be the age group most at risk for social media addiction.

What Social Media Is Most Addictive?
In recent years, TikTok has gotten a reputation as the most addictive social media platform.
However, Facebook, Instagram, and Snapchat are also among the most popular social media platforms used by young people.

What Is A Statistic On Social Media Use?
According to Frontiers in Psychiatry, "an increasing number of studies have linked social media use to negative mental health consequences, such as suicidality, loneliness, and anxiety."

What Are The Causes Of Social Media Addiction?
Social media addiction may be caused by a variety of different risk factors, which may include:

Low self-esteem

Low self-worth

Mental health problems, like anxiety or depression

Stress

What Is The Main Cause Of Social Media Addiction?
There is no single cause linked to social media addiction.
However, excessive social media use and addiction are most commonly linked to stress, depression, and low self-esteem.

Many people start to use social media casually, simply as a way to connect with others or participate in online social networking.

But, sometimes, social media turns out to be an escape from problems or challenges they are facing in their life. Because of this, they may start to use social media as a way to feel good temporarily or as a way to distract themselves.

Some people may also have a "fear of missing out," also known as FOMO, that keeps them feeling the need to constantly check on what others are doing.

Social Media Addiction Symptoms

What Are The Symptoms Of Social Media Addiction?
Common symptoms of social media addiction can include:

Trying to decrease or quit using social media but failing

Restlessness

Irritability

Urge to check or use social media

Negative impact on life and health

How Do You Know If You Have A Social Media Addiction?
Common signs of a social media addiction can include:

Spending a significant amount of time using or checking social media

Spending a lot of time using social media instead of other activities, hobbies, or responsibilities

Feeling an uncontrollable urge to check social media

Becoming upset or irritated if you cannot use social media

Side Effects of Social Media Addiction

What Are 5 Effects Of Social Media Addiction?
5 effects of social media addiction can include:

Poor performance at school or work

Isolation

Low self-esteem

Anxiety and/or depression

Poor sleep

What Are The Long-term Effects Of Social Media Addiction?
Social media addiction can have serious and long-term effects.
One of the most harmful effects social media can cause is damage to your mental health.

Social media addiction can put you at a higher risk of mental health conditions like anxiety or depression and even self-harming behaviors or suicidal thoughts.

If you or someone you know are experiencing suicidal thoughts, know that you are not alone. Call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988 or call 911 if you are in danger.

What Are The Impacts Of Social Media Addiction?
Social media addiction can impact your health and, quite frankly, every aspect of your life.
It can impact your daily life at school, work, or at home. Often, the time spent on social media takes the place of activities such as exercise, going outdoors, and spendings time with friends and family in "real life."

It can cause conflict and problems in relationships and also lead to isolation and feelings of loneliness.

Social media can take a toll on the way you perceive yourself and the world. It can make you feel negative about yourself as you see these "picture-perfect" lives everywhere you scroll.

What Are The Negative Impacts Of Social Media?
Social media can harm your physical and mental health, as well as your overall well-being and daily life.
Social media gives people a platform to share what they want about their lives, whether it is realistic or not.

These unrealistic standards can lead to a negative self-image, low self-esteem, and low self-worth.

Seeing what seems like "picture perfect" faces, bodies, jobs, families, and lives can make people view themselves and their own lives negatively and have them chasing an unrealistic standard that leaves them unhappy.

While social media was created to connect and keep people in touch, it has also proved to make people feel more isolated and harm their mental health and overall well-being.

How Social Media Affects Teenagers?
Teens are highly impacted by the effects of social media for many different reasons.
Research shows that one is because they are in a time of their lives when figuring out who they are, finding independence, and trying to find acceptance.
Social media usage also takes away from many healthy activities in a teen's life.
Teenagers may see these unrealistic standards on social media and feel they are not good enough or have to look a certain way to be liked or accepted.

It can distract them from responsibilities, take the place of outdoor time and exercise, affect their sleep, and take time away from being with friends and loved ones.

Social media can isolate teens and worsen mental health issues. They may use social media as a coping mechanism for difficult feelings and experiences going on in their lives, using it as an escape from reality.

Cyberbullying is another major problem when it comes to online platforms, and it is easy to find a lot of hate and negativity on social media.
Social media is designed to make people, especially youth and teens, feel a sense of pleasure.
Why Are Youth Addicted To Social Media?

The brain recognizes this and continues to seek out the behavior, leading to a cycle that can be very hard to get out of.

The youth brain is still going through significant development, making it more susceptible to the negative effects of social media.
Now, there can be some positive sides to social media when it comes to young people.
What Are The Positive And Negative Effects Of Social Media On Youth?

One of the biggest is connection.
Social media is where people can find inspiration, motivation, and tips and express creativity.
Many young people find social media as a place to find support and connection with their friends, peers, and loved ones.

However, it can be easy to fall into a habit of mindlessly scrolling and consuming too much social media.

What Are The Negative Effects Of Social Media On Social Skills?
It is no surprise that social media reduces face-to-face interaction.
As people spend more time on a screen, they spend less time interacting in "real life."

Social media and excessive internet use have created a barrier when it comes to communication and social skills. Often, on these platforms, you can see a lack of empathy and cruelty that is heightened by anonymity; people say whatever they want, even if it is harmful.

While social media can create great opportunities to connect, in-person and offline social interaction is crucial to the development and well-being of each individual, especially young people.

With social media, people are less engaged, stuck in their own bubbles, and often forget that there is a large, connected, and real world outside their electronic devices.

What Impact Does Social Media Have On A Child's Body Image?
Scrolling on social media is constantly feeding unrealistic expectations into the minds of young people.
These artificial standards can cause a child or teen to have a negative body image, low self-esteem, and low self-worth. Having a negative body image can have drastic impacts on a teenager's health, including increasing their risk of developing eating disorders.

What Does Social Media Do To Your Brain?
Social media impacts the brain's reward center, causing users to feel pleasure from checking in, scrolling, or interacting on social networking sites.
After a while, the brain seeks this pleasurable activity over and over again to the point that it can become uncontrollable.

Social media use can impact important brain functions like concentration, learning, and attention. Some research suggests that these impacts can worsen symptoms of other mental health conditions such as ADHD or social anxiety.

How Does Social Media Affect Self-Esteem?
When scrolling on social media, you are consuming the lives of others.
Images of perfect lives and faces show up repeatedly, creating this false image of what a person's life should be or what they should look like.

The use of social media can make a person feel negative about themselves and their lives. They may start to compare themselves with their peers, feel that they are less than others, or aren't doing enough.

Social media can take a toll on a person's self-esteem and break down their confidence.

How Does Social Media Affect Body Image?
In a world of "influencers" and "public figures," the standard of beauty has changed and led people to fall under the false impression that they may not be good enough because they don't look like the people they see online.
With filters, photoshop, and the "right angles," a false illusion of the "perfect body" is portrayed and stamped into the minds of young people.

As they look at themselves, they may question why they don't look like the others they see all day while they are scrolling. This can hurt their self-esteem, self-worth, and self-image.

At What Point Does Social Media Use Become Problematic?
Problematic social media use happens when it starts to get in the way of your daily life, responsibilities, relationships, and mental health.
When social media use gets to a point where you can't control it, where you feel the need to be on it, or where it is causing problems in your life, you should reach out for help.

How to Stop Social Media Addiction

Can You Recover From Social Media Addiction?
The good news is that social media addiction is treatable, and recovery is possible.
With support and guidance, you can learn ways to limit your social media use and acknowledge any underlying problems that may be a trigger or result of social media addiction.

How Do You Break A Social Media Addiction?
Different ways can help individuals break a social media addiction and recover. One is by going through a social media cleanse or detox.
This can include limiting screen time, deleting social media apps, muting notifications, or completely stopping social media use for a set amount of days.
You can also try doing new hobbies and activities to take the place of social media habits. This can not only help distract you from the urge to check social media but also create new healthy habits to incorporate into your daily routine.
Sometimes, excessive social media use and addiction become a way for a person to cope with difficult feelings or emotions. Getting professional help and going to therapy can help a person address these challenges and learn new ways to cope.

How Long Does It Take To Recover From Social Media Addiction?
The length of time it takes for a person to recover from social media addiction is different for everyone.
What Are The Treatment Options For Social Media Addiction?
Even though social media addiction is not a recognized disorder in the DSM-5, there are many different treatment options available.
Psychotherapy, or talk therapy, is a common approach to treating a variety of different mental health conditions and substance use disorders.
Interventions like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), and support groups can be helpful for individuals with social media addiction.

What Are The Top 10 Reasons For Using Social Media?

Is Social Media Addiction A Mental Disorder?

How Many Hours Of Social Media Is Considered Addictive?

How Many Days Is Social Media Detox?

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Social Media Addiction: 4+ Signs You're Addicted to Social Media

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Do you find yourself mindlessly scrolling through social media, even though it's affecting your mental health? This could be a sign of social media addiction.

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Editorial

Open access

Published:

BMC Psychology 11, Article number: 201 (2023) Cite this article

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Abstract

The use of social media significantly impacts mental health. It can enhance connection, increase self-esteem, and improve a sense of belonging. But it can also lead to tremendous stress, pressure to compare oneself to others, and increased sadness and isolation. Mindful use is essential to social media consumption.

Social media has become integral to our daily routines: we interact with family members and friends, accept invitations to public events, and join online communities to meet people who share similar preferences using these platforms. Social media has opened a new avenue for social experiences since the early 2000s, extending the possibilities for communication. According to recent research [ 1], people spend 2.3 h daily on social media. YouTube, TikTok, Instagram, and Snapchat have become increasingly popular among youth in 2022, and one-third think they spend too much time on these platforms [ 2]. The considerable time people spend on social media worldwide has directed researchers' attention toward the potential benefits and risks. Research shows excessive use is mainly associated with lower psychological well-being [ 3]. However, findings also suggest that the quality rather than the quantity of social media use can determine whether the experience will enhance or deteriorate the user's mental health [ 4]. In this collection, we will explore the impact of social media use on mental health by providing comprehensive research perspectives on positive and negative effects.

Social media can provide opportunities to enhance the mental health of users by facilitating social connections and peer support [ 5]. Indeed, online communities can provide a space for discussions regarding health conditions, adverse life events, or everyday challenges, which may decrease the sense of stigmatization and increase belongingness and perceived emotional support. Mutual friendships, rewarding social interactions, and humor on social media also reduced stress during the COVID-19 pandemic [ 4].

On the other hand, several studies have pointed out the potentially detrimental effects of social media use on mental health. Concerns have been raised that social media may lead to body image dissatisfaction [ 6], increase the risk of addiction and cyberbullying involvement [ 5], contribute to phubbing behaviors [ 7], and negatively affects mood [ 8]. Excessive use has increased loneliness, fear of missing out, and decreased subjective well-being and life satisfaction [ 8]. Users at risk of social media addiction often report depressive symptoms and lower self-esteem [ 9].

Overall, findings regarding the impact of social media on mental health pointed out some essential resources for psychological well-being through rewarding online social interactions. However, there is a need to raise awareness about the possible risks associated with excessive use, which can negatively affect mental health and everyday functioning [ 9]. There is neither a negative nor positive consensus regarding the effects of social media on people. However, by teaching people social media literacy, we can maximize their chances of having balanced, safe, and meaningful experiences on these platforms [ 10].

We encourage researchers to submit their research articles and contribute to a more differentiated overview of the impact of social media on mental health. BMC Psychology welcomes submissions to its new collection, which promises to present the latest findings in the emerging field of social media research. We seek research papers using qualitative and quantitative methods, focusing on social media users' positive and negative aspects. We believe this collection will provide a more comprehensive picture of social media's positive and negative effects on users' mental health.

References

Funding

Ágnes Zsila was supported by the ÚNKP-22-4 New National Excellence Program of the Ministry for Culture and Innovation from the source of the National Research, Development and Innovation Fund.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

1. Institute of Psychology, Pázmány Péter Catholic University, Budapest, Hungary

Ágnes Zsila

2. Institute of Psychology, ELTE Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest, Hungary

Ágnes Zsila

3. Department of Psychology, College of Science, University of Santo Tomas, Manila, 1008, Philippines

Marc Eric S. Reyes

Contributions

AZ conceived and drafted the Editorial. MESR wrote the abstract and revised the Editorial. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Marc Eric S. Reyes.

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Pros & cons: impacts of social media on mental health - BMC Psychology

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The use of social media significantly impacts mental health. It can enhance connection, increase self-esteem, and improve a sense of belonging. But it can also lead to tremendous stress, pressure to compare oneself to others, and increased sadness and isolation. Mindful use is essential to social media consumption.