Social Media and My Generation’s Mental Hea
I post my music on Instagram and TikTok, so I see both sides of this one. Social media is how I share what I make and connect with people, and that part is genuinely great. But it’s complicated.
The US Surgeon General put out an advisory in 2023 saying teens who spend more than 3 hours a day on social media have double the risk of depression and anxiety symptoms. And the average teen is already around 3.5 hours a day. The advisory also pointed out that close to half of teens said social media makes them feel worse about their bodies.
I’ve felt the pull myself. When I post a beat, watching the likes and comments roll in is motivating, but it can also mess with your head fast. You start measuring yourself by numbers, and that’s a trap.
I’m not saying delete everything. For me, social media is part of chasing something I love. But it helps to remember it’s designed to keep you scrolling, and that the highlight reels aren’t real life. Using it on purpose, instead of just falling into it for hours, is the move.
Read more: Social Media and Youth Mental Health — U.S. Surgeon General’s Advisory
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