As someone who is always in their own head about something, mental health is a very sensitive topic for me. I make it one of my goals in life to make sure everyone around me is in a healthy mental state, which in turn, almost allows me to be in a healthy mental state.

For those who are unaware, mental health is a person's emotional, psychological, and social well-being. Having good mental health allows for one to be able to function properly in social settings as well as be in control of themselves, be productive, and feel good about themselves in whole.

In the following collection, you will find evidence on what mental health is, how it negatively impacts adolescents, and how it also positively impacts adolescents through fact-based and creative that explore these topics.

Sincerely,

The Author

Since COVID-19, multiple studies have shown that there is a positive and negative connection between social media and adolescents. In 2023, reports have shown that 46% of teens, male and female, spend time on social media constantly (Anderson, Faverio, and Gottfried, 2023). Out of those teens, 36% have reported experiencing negative impacts on their mental health due to their social media use.

I saw that KK and L  posted about their ex-friend again. I knew they were going to after I heard L talking about something Jasmine posted on their Instagram notes. I still don’t remember how they got to that point. It’s embarrassing honestly, to be friends with someone for so long only for them to turn their backs on you because of something that was misinterpreted.

And the crazy thing is that I am friends with them both!

I am actually worried about Jasmine. Ever since KK and L cut her off, I see her either on her phone, watching their pages, or simply watching them from a distance. I try my best to not offer my advice when it isn’t asked for, but I think she needs it.

 In my AP Psychology class, my teacher has us research any topic we want to and decide on mental health. I read an article highlighting the results of the connection between emotional intelligence and social media. One of the things they concluded is that being on social media all of the time encourages the user to compare themselves to the people that they are watching, which can be detrimental to their self-esteem. Just by watching Jasmine, I can see tell her self-esteem has gone down. When she was friends with KK and L, she dressed more confidently and stood up for herself when spoken against – CLEARLY, that has changed. I mean, no shade no tea but it looks as if she hasn’t combed her hair or washed the black hoodie she wore today in weeks.

I wish they could just work it out – it would benefit them all in some way or another. I think I’m gonna send Jasmine some of these articles I am reading, maybe then she’ll go on a social media fast.

Anguyo, Milton, et al. “The Impact of Social Media on Adolescent Mental Health.” IntechOpen eBooks, 2023, https://doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.1003060.

“Teens Are Spending Nearly 5 Hours Daily on Social Media. Here Are the Mental Health Outcomes.” https://www.apa.org, www.apa.org/monitor/2024/04/teen-social-use-mental-health.

Al-Jbouri, Elizabeth, et al. “Friends, Followers, Peers, and Posts: Adolescents’ In-person and Online Friendship Networks and Social Media Use Influences on Friendship Closeness via the Importance of Technology for Social Connection.” Frontiers in Developmental Psychology, vol. 2, July 2024, https://doi.org/10.3389/fdpys.2024.1419756.

Piccerillo, Lidia, and Simone Digennaro. “Adolescent Social Media Use and Emotional Intelligence: A Systematic Review.” Adolescent Research Review, July 2024, https://doi.org/10.1007/s40894-024-00245-z.

Patterson, Angela, PhD. “Social Media Has the Promise of Providing Increased Well-being.” Psychology Today, 15 Nov. 2023, www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/young-people-decoded/202311/social-medias-positive-power-for-young-people.

D: I did… kinda crazy don’t you think?

J: It’s freaking hilarious, I waited on her page for like three hours alone waiting on her response to what Kianna posted.

D: Three hours?

J: Yes lol.

D: And how long were you on Instagram today in total?

J: let me check

J: sixteen hours lol dangggg that’s a lot.

D: Right, and how would you describe your mental state these days?

J: oh lord here we go.

J: this was meant to be a funny conversation man

J: but my mental health is fine ig.

D: Is it really? Studies show that people, especially teens, who spend time on social media for hours at a time show signs of having a low self-esteem and perception of self, due to watching others all day

J: OK Google.

D: Lol.

J: Where did you read that from?

D: An article written by Patti Valkenburg, Ine Beyens, J. Loes Pouwels, Irene I. van Driel, &

Loes Keijsers for the Journal of Communications

J: and you read that mess for fun?

D: It was very insightful imo. Maybe you should read it some time.

J: yeah ok

To: @team

Subject: Positive Outcomes from Social Media Usage

Good morning, All:

Where are we on the research project concerning mental health that you were tasked to find last week?

--------------------------------------------------------------

From: akilj1@gmail.com

To: jamayhcedwards@gmail.com, @Team

RE: Subject: Positive Outcomes from Social Media Usage

Good morning, Jamayh,

Here are my findings:

The way people use social media determines whether it is associated with increased or decreased well-being.

It can be concluded that for social media to affect teens, we need to know what is happening outside it, as in, it begins with the parents.

Thoughts?

Thank you, Akil

In the glow of screens, where shadows play,

Adolescents find their way,

Through likes and shares, a digital dance,

A world of connection, a fleeting glance.

Social media, a double-edged sword,

A place where voices are often heard,

It lifts them up, it brings them down,

A virtual smile, a hidden frown.

In the scroll of endless feeds,

Self-esteem both soars and bleeds,

A mirror reflecting hopes and fears,

A stage for laughter, a well of tears.

They find their tribes, they build their clans,

In distant lands, they make their plans,

Support and friendship, bonds so tight,

In pixels' glow, they find their light.

Yet in the night, when screens go dark,

The silence echoes, leaves a mark,

Attention wanes, and grades may fall,

The price of living in this hall.

But balance is the key, they say,

To navigate this vast array,

With guidance from the wise and kind,

A healthier path, they seek to find.

So let us teach them how to steer,

Through digital realms, both far and near,

To cherish moments, real and true,

In the world of screens, and skies of blue.