FOCUS ON YOUTH 2022
IMPACT OF SOCIAL MEDIA ON YOUTH:
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"Realize that comparison is the thief of joy." ~Kaitlyn Kelly |
Proud sponsors of FOCUS ON YOUTH 2022:
Social media can be a huge stressor for those in their teens and early twenties – trying to keep up with the social life, physical appearance, and popularity of peers. What do you suggest to ease the anxiety and pressures created by the images and comments young people see in social media?
Most of our social media usage is passive - we are just looking at something and reacting either with a “like” or a “swipe.” Instead, find something else in your life that will replace those times of passive reacting online or on social media, such as activities where you are an active participant and engaging with others in life.
Keep a list on your Notes App of the things you hope to do this week that will improve your life - experiences you hope to have - not just work or school responsibilities.
When we passively look at someone on social media, we form new desires to satisfy, but they are temporary and not really fulfilling.
Finally, realize that comparison is the thief of joy.
Social media is often a hotbed for bullies. Please offer some tips for a young woman who is being bullied or excluded in social media by her peers.
Bullying on social media is often about being excluded from experiences others are posting where you are not included. So, don’t spend so much time on social media. Some people actively post just to exclude people or to prove that they are not excluded themselves. If seeing someone’s page on your feed makes you more upset than happy, ask yourself, ‘Why am I following this person?’
A negative body image is very common in young women. How does social media affect one’s self-esteem in this respect?
Realize that most photos posted on social media are filtered or edited. This has resulted in cultural expectations of what girls should look like as well as individual expectations. The more you fill your day posting images of yourself, the more empty you will feel.
Young women need to be concerned about safety, particularly in a setting away from home where they aren’t as familiar with the community. It can be extremely difficult to assess someone who approaches you in social media. Any tips for what to look for or how to move forward to a date if there is interest?
Be discerning about who you follow on social media and who you let follow you. Try to identify who they follow and who follows them. Scrutinize their feed. Be private about where you live. On your direct notifications, you can block people who make you feel uncomfortable.
Teens face many social pressures as they prepare for college life and living away from home. How can social media be helpful in this circumstance?
Find a freshman group chat or social media page for your class year from your college. Some colleges actually have a first-year advising website. Check out dorm tours on YouTube from your school. Reddit and College Confidential have information about current students.
College Simply and College Scoops both have student reviews, feedback and information about the area.
Any final comments or tips?
Get involved in activities, such as work opportunities, volunteer experiences, sports teams, clubs – these provide better platforms for establishing a sense of purpose, as well as your sense of self, rather than social media or online dating.
Kaitlyn Kelly is the 18-year-old co-founder of PositiviTeens® Workshops, contributing editor for Meaningful Paths (UK), and Global Youth Ambassador for the Mental Wellness Society-International.
Addressing the psychosocial impact of violence, depersonalization, bullying and negativity that permeates social media on today’s youth was in response to the Parkland tragedy that impacted her former hometown in 2018. Kaitlyn and her mother, a clinical psychologist, developed an empowering program of Positive Psychology and Cognitive-Behavioral strategies to not only support and educate students, teachers and parents, but to also provide evidence-based interventions to promote greater emotional resilience. The effects of digital technology on teen culture, communication, and relationships is one of the timely topics covered in the PositiviTeens® workshops and webinars. Kaitlyn’s unique perspective as a teen and student of Positive Psychology, provides a foundation upon which enacting change for growth is relevant to young audiences.
Kaitlyn has co-presented PositiviTeens® webinars to audiences in the U.S. and China.
Addressing the psychosocial impact of violence, depersonalization, bullying and negativity that permeates social media on today’s youth was in response to the Parkland tragedy that impacted her former hometown in 2018. Kaitlyn and her mother, a clinical psychologist, developed an empowering program of Positive Psychology and Cognitive-Behavioral strategies to not only support and educate students, teachers and parents, but to also provide evidence-based interventions to promote greater emotional resilience. The effects of digital technology on teen culture, communication, and relationships is one of the timely topics covered in the PositiviTeens® workshops and webinars. Kaitlyn’s unique perspective as a teen and student of Positive Psychology, provides a foundation upon which enacting change for growth is relevant to young audiences.
Kaitlyn has co-presented PositiviTeens® webinars to audiences in the U.S. and China.
