In a digital age where one post can be viewed by tens of thousands of people in seconds, social media is embedded within teenage life. But a recent school based study has shown that beneath the filtered selfies and viral hashtags is a troubling reality: the impact of social media on the self esteem of teenagers
New research highlights just how dire this problem is. A 2024 survey by the American Psychological Association found that 72 percent of teenage girls, when asked about influencers’ looks, said they compared theirs to those of influencers and more than 60 percent said that had a negative affect on their confidence. These statistics reveal a concerning pattern that no parent or educator can ignore.
For our Global Perspectives project titled “The Impact of Social Media Influences on the Self-Esteem of Teenagers”, our team surveyed students and did interviews in order to determine how social media impacts young brains. What they found was revealing and also alarming.
Large numbers of respondents to the survey said they were regularly comparing themselves to influencers and their own peers online. Many said they felt like they had to look a certain way, dress a certain way, live the “perfect” life depicted on social media. One student shared, “Sometimes I feel like I’m not good enough because everyone online seems happier and more successful than me.”
In order to expand research beyond our campus, we also toured other branches of our school to present a lecture on the psychological implications of social media. The session centred around healthy online habits, accepting oneself, and the need for critical thinking while consuming digital content.
During this visit, we had an interview with the headmistress and senior mistress of the school in order to get an educational aspect of the campaign.The Headmistress emphasised that schools have a responsibility to address digital wellbeing. “Academic success is important, but emotional wellbeing is equally vital in today’s digital age,” she remarked. The Senior Mistress added that students need guidance to distinguish between reality and the carefully constructed images they see online.
For a professional perspective, we spoke to a practicing psychologist, who told us that if teenagers are exposed to idealized images on an ongoing basis their self-image becomes distorted. “Young kids are at a stage where identity is still developing,” the psychologist said. “Repetitive comparison may contribute to anxiety, low self-worth and even depression if not intervened early on.”
We also contacted some social media influencers to see what we could learn from them. One influencer acknowledged that a lot of what is online is edited and does not reflect reality. “People forget that social media is a highlight reel, not reality,” she said. “Even influencers struggle with self-doubt behind the screen.”
The social media psychological impact is a double edged sword. It gives people the chance to be creative and the chance to connect with others. Meanwhile, kids are risking their psychological safety. Experts recommend digital literacy, parental control and open communication in schools to foster better online engagement with students.
It is a fact that social media is shaping modern youth and it is highly important that youth learn to safeguard their self-worth from all the superficiality that pervades social media. The adolescent mental health issue is now being considered in conferences and the awareness campaigns of the Pakistan Psychiatric Society and some of the regional NGOs. The consensus among experts is that a more systematic approach is urgent.
Despite the issues present, there are solutions. Mental health professionals highlight the need for media savvy awareness, openness about the issues, and practical role models. Dermatologists highlight the need for teens to learn about skin anatomy and the risks associated with unmonitored products. Schools also play a vital role by teaching teens about media criticism. Parents also need to create settings conducive to discussing their feelings without fear for girls.
Influencers will probably continue to grow. However, we can make sure that teenage girls grow up comparing themselves to the healthiest, most genuine version of themselves rather than to filtered ideals with awareness, medical knowledge, and responsible education.
instagram: @veiledhue.
The group photo of the students team that dug out reality-based research on social media’s role and its impact on teenagers in Pakistan
