The Disconnect in Social Media Connections

Inherently, humans are social beings. To grow, we need to have connections with others. The strength of our companionships greatly affects our self-worth, mental health, and happiness. More so than ever, much in part to Covid-19 “shut downs”, Generation Z accessed social media platforms to maintain relationships, express creativity, share information, and find emotional validation and support. When your teenager is missing strong social connections, their mental and emotional health can be in jeopardy. Therefore, it becomes easy for teens to rely on social media. Several social media platforms, like Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, and Snapchat, are easy means to connect with other people. There is however, valid concern and evidence that shows, social media, much like fast food, can meet our needs in the short term, but comes with several negative side effects, and may not be nutritionally valid. It cures our craving for connection, but is it good for us? While social media has some undeniable benefits, it is important to remember that it cannot replace in-person connections. A technology that was created to ease loneliness has inadvertently worsened mental health problems.

When social media becomes a social crutch, research indicates that teens can fall prey to the very issues they are trying to escape online: anxiety, depression, low self esteem, and a sense of isolation. Early research would tell us, digital media is not a valid substitute for face to face, in person, human interaction. There are many ways that your teen may detox from social media, from slowly cutting back on screen time to going cold turkey. It may be smart to have your teen detox from social media for a time and then create a healthy schedule for them to re-enter the social media sphere. Some families have opted for “digital free Sundays” or weekend excursions that are “phone free”. Expect some discomfort at first, as with changing any daily habit.

David Iskander, author of “ The 30 Day Social Media Detox” recommends a social media detox consisting of zero screen time for a week. "While your teen may use their phone to text friends and call family, they cannot use their phone to scroll mindlessly on social media for hours on end. In other words, your teen will be completely removing social media use and consumption. For many of us, social media is already a big part of our lives. But despite the benefits we gain from it, there are also downsides to using it, especially if we spend too much time.” If you have a difficult time unplugging completely, taking a free course or listening to podcasts on a topic of interest is definitely a better way to spend your time, and it can enrich your personal and professional lives.