Social media is commonly used among millions of teenagers throughout the world. This includes multiple different apps and multiple different influences. But what is the true effect it has on teenagers?

Personally, as a teenager that has been using social media for a while, I find it draining at some points. Spending too much time on social media, I find myself feeling unmotivated and more insecure. Watching hundreds of different videos that are often useless, and I forget within the hour. I often waste too much time on it when I should be doing something else, such as homework.

I think it as well, it impacts the mental health of people, especially teenagers. As we see all the norms of how we should look like or be like and compare ourselves with photoshop images. This really does take a toll on some teenager’s confidence.

On the other hand, not everyone views it as something bad, some find good things within it.

“I think it can be helpful for life advice or help on little things.” sophomore Nixon Salazar, said.

Nixon finds social media can be helpful through the tips and healthy influences you can get through other people. For example, if he needed help with math homework, he could look up how to do that specific problem and find a solution to help him figure it out. Or with other simple stuff in life, he says he likes to find outfit ideas or clothes to buy.

He explains that social media also helps him stay up with his friends and family. He can keep undated on what they’re up to and how they have been doing.

Social media definitely has its pros and cons. Both kind of balance out each other, however social media used in good ways, can benefit people.