Social Media Makes Teens Materialistic! Shocking Discoveries

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A recent study revealed how social media makes teens materialistic.
Increased materialism is also linked to low self-esteem and poor mindfulness in adolescents.

Adolescent Mental Health

Adolescent mental health refers to the emotional, psychological, and social well-being of young people between the ages of 10 and 19. It is a critical period of development, characterized by rapid physical, cognitive, and social changes, which can lead to various mental health issues, such as:

Anxiety
Depression
Eating disorders
Body image issues
Substance abuse
Internet addiction
Self-harm and suicidal ideation

Social media addiction can have a significant impact on the mental health and well-being of adolescents. Spending excessive amounts of time on social media can lead to negative effects such as:

Increased feelings of loneliness, anxiety, and depression
Eating and sleep disorders
Decreased self-esteem
Reduced productivity and academic performance
Decreased face-to-face social interactions and poor social skills
Risky online behaviors such as cyberbullying, negative self-disclosure, dangerously engaging with strangers, etc.
Enhanced materialism
Reduced mindfulness and psychological resilience

A recent study by the Central China Normal University investigated how upward social comparison on social networking sites (SNS) contributes to adolescent materialism.

A sample of 880 Chinese adolescents, aged 12–19 years, completed several questionnaires. The study is published in The Journal of Psychology.

The findings suggest that upward social comparison on social media encourages materialism in adolescents and reduces self-esteem and mindfulness. It is further claimed that promoting mindfulness and stress-management techniques can not only combat low self-esteem in teens but also reduce the negative effects of harmful social media use.

Addressing how social media affects materialism in adolescents, in the long run, requires a multi-faceted approach that involves both individual and environmental factors.

On an individual level, promoting healthy habits and mindful social media use (such as setting limits on screen time and engaging in activities that promote real-life interactions) can help reduce the negative effects of social media and materialism on adolescent mental health. Practicing mindfulness and gratitude can also help shift focus away from material possessions and towards personal growth and positive relationships.

On an environmental level, promoting healthy values and behaviors (such as encouraging positive social norms around materialism and social media use) can help create a culture that supports healthy adolescent development.

Educating and promoting media literacy and critical thinking skills can also help adolescents navigate the complexities of social media and resist the pressure to engage in materialistic behaviors. Finally, parents and caregivers can model healthy social media use habits and provide support and guidance to help adolescents develop healthy habits and values.