Is Social Media dictating teenagers’ social habits?

Cooped up inside our homes, barred from stepping outside for fear of the virus and one’s health. The pandemic forced adults and teens alike to adapt their social behavior to one that fits in with what the new normal asked. Undeniably, adults and teens alike were affected by the sudden change in the social ecosystem, more so teens as we’re exposed to the social media side of the world more.

Teenagers weren’t new to conducting their social life online. However the sudden shift to it being the primary source of social interaction has led to its own Pandora's box of issues that have fostered amongst teens.

 From using their phones seldom prior to the lockdown, to being on it all the time during it to being unable to break the cycle of addiction post-lockdown; the social media sphere has affected us teens in irreparable ways.

A survey conducted by the NepalNews yields that before the pandemic 75% of surveyed teens used social media on their phones for less than 4 hours every day, but during and after the first lockdown more than 62.5 % still continue to use social media sites for more than 6 hours a day.

"Social media was like a guilty pleasure. It was the only medium for us to socialize with friends and relatives. We didn't feel like we were isolated because of social media. But gradually, it was addictive. Now, I have an urge to scroll through social media on a regular basis. So yeah. It was a guilty pleasure." says Ayushma Chatkuli, a 10th Grader at St. Xavier’s School Jawalakhel.

Beyond the obvious effects of addiction and a changed social outlook, Social Media has become a harbinger of negativity and forced expectations upon the teens who are super-exposed to it. The critique, negative comments and subtle messaging prevalent in the society to look, act, eat and be certain ways are all toxic expectations that are subtly inculcated into the young minds through these platforms.

 “Social media creates the classic case of Ideal VS Real Self in developing teens. They build up their ideal self to be unrealistic personas on these platforms, may it be money wise or physical appearance they create expectations that they unconsciously accept and when they compare it with the real self and find them not even close to each other it creates major self esteem issues. This leads to mental health problems, dietary problems and just a general lack of confidence in these teens.” says Rojisha Shahi a Psychologist at Healthy Minds Nepal.

However, despite its rather prominent vices, Social Media has its own set of boons. From connecting teens to their peers during the lockdown to providing a platform for teens to voice their opinions and thoughts. The lockdown forced for many teens for the first time, to be isolated with their thoughts for extended periods of time, with no immediate close friend to talk to, without social media facilitating such an exchange, the mental health repercussions would have been severe.

"Social media has positively impacted my life. I've taken it as a medium for keeping myself updated with the recent happenings and also as a source of knowledge and opportunities. During the time of such unprecedented happenings, it has kept me connected with my grandparents who reside away from me. Along with that, my friends, teachers, cousins too. However, we have to understand that, we need to have a certain limit for this too." affirms Simrika Basnet another 10th Grader currently amidst her online classes.

Hence, in hindsight, as the cliché saying goes, Social Media still retained its ‘Boon or Bane’ aspect to it during the pandemic and will continue to do so beyond it.