How This Generation is Declining Due To Social Media by Emma Wapenski

Loneliness and in person interactions are at an all time low with our generation of teens compared to past generations

29ewapenski — 2025-06-06 18:12:46 UTC

What will the world become if no one knows how to talk to people in person? Kids only learn to interact with people by interacting with people.

Source 1

29ewapenski — 2025-06-06 18:13:36 UTC

“Spending time with other people in person is one of the best predictors for psychological well-being and one of the best protections against having mental health issues.”

Our Teen Suicide Rates are at an All Time High

29ewapenski — 2025-06-06 18:14:43 UTC

Boys aged 15 to 19 suicide rates have increased more than 30 percent
Suicide rates for teenage girls are at a 40-year high
“In a provocative new article for The Atlantic, Twenge makes a correlation between the popularity of smartphones and increased rates of suicide and depression among young people. "Teens who use electronic devices more hours a day are more likely to be a risk for suicide," Twenge said.”

Social Media is at the root of many of this generations problems

29ewapenski — 2025-06-06 18:17:25 UTC

A lot of these suicides can be traced back to either cyberbullying or bad mental health which is attributed to social media
Social media has been proven to, if not used correctly, cause depression and anxiety
Many teens say that they are addicted to their phones and even more parents say their kids are (according to a survey done by Common Sense Media)

Source 2

29ewapenski — 2025-06-06 18:18:37 UTC

“Experts cite family instability and substance use as some factors for suicide, but the role of cyberbullying is becoming more prevalent."

Social Media is also Messing with our Generations Perception of the World

29ewapenski — 2025-06-06 18:19:57 UTC

Teens, because of social media, have been comparing their life to the “ideal life” and form an unhealthy view of what their life and body should look like
Teens also fake the “ideal life” by posting edited or staged photos not only lying to other people but also themselves

Source 3

29ewapenski — 2025-06-06 18:20:42 UTC

“However, this generation, in particular, is experiencing a new outlet that has proven to damage teens’ personal perceptions and might be more influential than celebrity followings: social media."

29ewapenski — 2025-06-09 12:01:58 UTC

Real World Example: Cyber bullying that lead to suicide

29ewapenski — 2025-06-09 12:10:00 UTC

12 year old took her own life after being cyber bullied by her classmates.

The Connection Between Social Media and the Teen Mental Crisis

29ewapenski — 2025-06-09 12:15:46 UTC

29ewapenski — 2025-06-11 15:14:03 UTC

29ewapenski — 2025-06-11 15:15:01 UTC