The bell rings and it’s the end of class. Students shuffle through the hallways like zombies, attached to their phones. Two students collide, but neither one looks up to apologize.
The average U.S. high school student spends around 4.8 hours on social media each day. According to a March Bark survey, 97 percent of students use social media daily. Among these students, 30 percent reported that they spend three or more hours on social platforms each day.
Prolonged social media use on a daily basis can have a harmful effect on a student’s mental health. According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, during early adolescence, teens’ sense of self-worth and identity are forming which makes the brain development especially susceptible to social pressures, peer opinions and comparison. To make matters worse, social media platforms use algorithms to personalize content for each user, making it more addictive.
Dr. Margaret Jessop is a clinical psychologist who specializes in early childhood development. Dr. Jessop believes that social media platforms can become a center for self-comparison because the user is constantly reminded of what others are doing.
“If you’re in a negative mindset around yourself or around some component of your life, these social media platforms become a sea of comparing yourself to someone else or some other group,” Dr. Jessop said.
However, if you’re in a positive mindset, feelings like admiration can override negative aspects such as envy for others’ lives.
Sophomore Erin Macmillin feels the addictive effects of social media usage.
“The algorithm is designed to suck you in. It’s like I get trapped in it so often and feel guilty afterwards,” Macmillin said.
Dr. Jessop explains that it’s important to take time to recognize the effect of self-comparison on mental health.
“I think [that’s] where the detoxing or the taking a break from [social media] pays for itself because you have a moment to reflect and say, ‘Am I really missing out because I’m not doing [what others are doing], or do I feel better because I’m actually doing the things I want to do?’” Jessop said.
A social media detox is where a user takes a break from media; it could involve staying away from one or two social apps such as Snapchat, Instagram or TikTok, or it could involve staying off all social media for a long period of time. This could last a few days up to a few months.
The detox aspect is great for the mind, as it resets bad habits previously created and also gives the brain a break from overstimulation. According to Calm, “A break from social media helps you gain a fresh perspective on its role in your life. It offers myriad mental health benefits, including reduced anxiety, improved focus and an opportunity for self-reflection.”
Regardless of the positive effects a detox may have, many students disagree with the idea of a break from the apps. Some even say it is essentially pointless.
Junior Lucy Hamill feels that social media detoxes lack effectiveness, and there are better ways to manage social media use.
“If you do a social media detox, you detox for two days, and then you’re just gonna get back on it again. I feel like the only way [to manage social media use] is to set screen time, because if you do a detox and then have no limits after, you’re just going to go right back on it,” Hamill said.
There are many ways to manage time spent on social media apps. There are the basics, often set in place by parents or guardians. Some of these methods include the use of screentime to limit app use, no phone for the day or simply specific times of the day where you may be permitted to use certain apps. Alternative methods beyond the basics include setting personal limits on social media use, which can help reduce the mental toll it can have. This self-initiative can be more effective than phone rules enforced by parents, as it allows for greater independence which can provide the user with a greater sense of the effect social media has themselves, rather than just being told.
Although social media is a leading cause of depression and anxiety for teens, it has its benefits. The American Public University identifies one of the benefits being that it helps maintain social relationships with friends and family.
Macmillin also recognizes the positive effects of social media.
“[Social media] allows you to connect with people that are across the country. I also use [social media] to get information from the school or learn about different programs that are going on,” Macmillin said.
A sophomore, who asked for their identity to remain anonymous, will be referred to as Kaiya.
“Obviously if it does [become a problem], and I am on it for many hours during the day, then I’ll probably take a detox,” Kaiya said.
Detoxing from social media can serve as a solution to addiction, because it can improve mood, attention span, sleep and social relationships beyond the digital world. Social media detoxing can serve as a way to take charge of your addiction.
