Social media offers numerous advantages, such as the ability to connect people across the globe without the need for physical presence. It provides a platform for sharing ideas, building networks, and maintaining relationships over long distances. However, the absence of genuine human interaction that comes with heavy reliance on social media can negatively influence how children and teenagers develop essential emotional skills like empathy and compassion.
Take Pia Sellery, for example. Unlike many of her peers, she stands out as a 19-year-old who has consciously limited her online presence to just Snapchat, which she rarely uses. Her choice highlights an important contrast to the growing trend of excessive social media use among teens.
Research has shown that spending too much time on Facebook or Instagram is strongly associated with increased risks of depression, anxiety, and other mental health challenges in adolescents. These platforms, while offering entertainment and connectivity, can also foster unhealthy comparisons, isolation, and stress.
In a recent interview with the South China Morning Post, I had the opportunity to share my professional insights on how the excessive use of social media impacts young people’s mental health, contributing to rising levels of depression and anxiety among teenagers.
For the full South China Morning Post article, click here. https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/health-wellness/article/2175170/hong-kong-raised-teen-whos-never-been-facebook-or
If you feel your teenage needs help with social media addiction, get in touch and book a session.
