It’s no secret that most teenagers have several social media accounts. In fact, it’s weird to see a teenager to not have any social media these days. But should we really normalize the extensive use of social media during teen years?

I don’t believe so. Like most things, I think social media can be good when used minimally. But that really isn’t common these days.

According to Brown University Health, social media is built to be addicting. This extended use of social media can blur a person’s perception of reality. Social media also makes it easier for misinformation to spread, and can often lead to the bullying of others.

Social media can also cause depression and social anxiety, especially to those who gained access to the internet much earlier than they should have.

While some claim that social media provides quick access to family and friends, which is true, it can also provide quick access to strangers. Though online friendships aren’t inherently bad, they are good in theory more so then they are in practice. These friendships with online strangers can lead to catfishing, when one person uses someone else’s photos and pretends to be someone they’re not, or cyber bullying.

While social media does provide easy access to a lot of information, most of this information tends to be misinformation with no real basis. There is no regulation on social media apps about misinformation, and as a lot of people use these platforms to tell stories, lack of fact checking leads to mass amounts of misinformation.

Some people are able to find groups online that they feel like they belong. This isn’t bad in theory either, but extended time in these spaces online without taking time off from the internet can lead to someone being attached to their phone, only wanting to talk to their friends there.

Of course, social media isn’t bad all the time. with everything there are pros and cons. But it is always a good idea to manage your time on social media and take the time to make off-line connections.