20/01/2025
The U.S. Surgeon General's 2023 Advisory on Social Media and Youth Mental Health highlights the dual nature of social media's influence on young people. While it underscores meaningful benefits—such as fostering community, self-expression, and support—it also raises critical concerns about the potential downsides of social media use.
In South Africa, as in the U.S., these dynamics are strikingly relevant. Social media offers teens opportunities for increased connection, creative expression, and community support. However, these positives can often be overshadowed by challenges tied to self-presentation and peer pressure:
Stress Posting and False Images:
The pressure to curate an idealized version of oneself can lead to "stress posting," where teens present exaggerated or false depictions of their lives. This undermines authentic connections and diminishes the value of genuine self-expression.
Peer Pressure and Societal Expectations:
Constant exposure to societal "shoulds"—how they should look, act, or succeed—intensifies feelings of inadequacy, anxiety, and low self-esteem.
Negating Positive Effects:
The strain of maintaining a false persona reduces the emotional support and validation that authentic interactions can provide, eroding the stress-buffering benefits of online connections.
The challenge lies in helping teens navigate social media thoughtfully and authentically. Effective strategies include:
Promoting Digital Literacy:
Educating teens to critically evaluate social media content, recognize curated realities, and resist unhealthy comparisons.
Encouraging Authenticity:
Highlighting the importance of real, unfiltered connections and self-expression over the pursuit of perfection.
Fostering Open Dialogues:
Creating safe spaces for honest conversations about social media pressures and the impact it has on their mental health and self-esteem.
As a social worker with 15 years of experience—six of which have been spent in private practice providing one-on-one counseling to youth and parents—I am deeply aware of the need to create opportunities for young people to develop authentic, vulnerable connections with themselves and others. By empowering our kids to explore and embrace who they are, both in the "real" world and in their online realities, we can help them foster a strong sense of self and meaningful connections in a global context.
My vision is a safer, more connected world where individuals thrive by embracing their uniqueness and cultivating genuine relationships. Together, we can guide the next generation toward healthier, more intentional interactions—both online and offline.
If this is something you would like to support your teen with, then have a look at the workshop I co-create with Natalie Sternberg and Lenneke von Nes at
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