Supporting Student Mental Health in the Age of Social Media Excess

Cyberbullying and excessive social media use are noteworthy concerns in today's society, especially when it comes to the mental health of our youth.  The constant need to be liked and accepted online has led to a generation of kids who are struggling with low self-esteem and a lack of self-confidence seemingly more so than children in recent years past.
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This negative impact on mental health is noticeable when observing and listening to the way kids feel and talk about themselves.  They are driven by a need to be like the influencers they see on social media platforms like YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok.  They want to look and act like these people, even if it means changing who they are as individuals.  This desire to be someone else can cause feelings of worthlessness so intense that they don’t even like themselves.   As a result, they might start projecting their insecurities onto others with negative and hateful comments.  Ultimately, they may start feeling depressed and turn to self-harm. 

This problem is so severe that it’s actually hit close to home for me. My 12-year-old niece has a friend who recently contemplated suicide because of cyberbullying. It’s terrifying to think that young kids are willing to take their own lives because of this social phenomenon.  I was very concerned for her friend, but I was also extremely worried about how the situation affected my niece emotionally and mentally. 

I think that as a society, we must do all we can to help instill, promote, and encourage greater confidence and higher self-esteem in today's youth.  We have to remember that children mimic everything they see us doing, so this will be especially challenging because it seems like many of the people kids look up to today also struggle with self-doubt and self-esteem issues.

Children are like sponges.  They absorb everything that goes on around them.  They observe and learn from the peers and adults in their lives.  These observations shape their beliefs, values, and behaviors.  So, when children see adults around them being depressed, self-critical, and self-loathing, it sends a message that these behaviors are normal and acceptable.  Many of these children go on to develop similar negative thought patterns, which can negatively impact their mental health and self-esteem.
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They may also be impacted by seeing adults changing their physical features with plastic surgery.  As a result, they may start to believe that physical appearance is the most important aspect of one's self-worth, and that one must change their appearance to be accepted and loved.  This can lead to body dissatisfaction and low self-esteem in children.  It can also lead to a pressure to conform to societal standards of beauty, which I can't image is healthy for a child’s emotional and mental well-being.

In addition, when children see adults criticizing, critiquing, and body shaming other adults, they learn that it's acceptable to judge and belittle others based on their appearance. This can lead to a lack of empathy and compassion in children and can also contribute to a culture of bullying and body shaming.  Many children are internalizing these negative messages and then begin feeling inadequate and unworthy themselves.

As parents, teachers, mentors, and everyone else present in a child's life, we need to be aware of the significant impacts we have on them.  It’s important for us to be mindful of our own actions and attitudes because they do affect the children in our lives.  We should strive to be positive role models and create safe and healthy environments for our youth as best as we can.

We should also have open and honest conversations with children about the harmful effects of negative self-talk and body-shaming. Let's talk to our kids and really listen to their personal experiences with the negative aspects of social media. Let's encourage them to share their feelings and find ways to help them work through their emotions tied to social media.   With the right tools, we can empower them to build a positive self-image and develop feelings of self-love and self-acceptance. By doing so, we can help children grow into confident, resilient, and compassionate individuals who will be better equipped to navigate the challenges of the digital world.​

Now let’s ask ourselves some critical thinking questions:

• How can we help kids better understand that the people they see on social media are not always who they appear to be?
• How can we teach kids to be more comfortable in their own skin and to embrace their individuality?
• What tools can we provide to young people to protect themselves against the dangers of cyberbullying?
• How can parents, teachers, and the other adults in children's lives better support and guide them through the challenges of growing up in a digital age?
• What can we do to raise awareness about the importance of mental health and well-being among young people?
• How can we work to break the cycle of low self-esteem and body dissatisfaction perpetuated by social media?
• How can we help children develop a healthy relationship with technology and social media?
• How can we teach children to be more empathetic and kind to others?
  
• How can we teach children to not be influenced by the negative comments and criticism that they may encounter online?
• What can be done to support and empower children who have been affected by cyberbullying?
• How can we work to create more positive and accepting environments within our communities that value and promote self-love, acceptance, and confidence?

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