Teens are now heavily reliant on devices and the apps they use, like TikTok, Instagram and Snapchat. Is being so dependent on these devices making teens less physically active?
Is there any time for exercising, playing a sport, or any physical activity that occupies teens rather than being on a device? Being on social media for a long time and doomscrolling on the couch for hours doesn’t help keep teens physically active anymore, particularly since the COVID pandemic. “I don’t really balance having social media or being physically active. I do one or the other.” Sparkman High School Junior Running Back Waylon Marbury said.
Frequent use of social media is typically associated with little physical activity and productivity in child development. Nine in ten teens use social media daily, possibly harming their adolescence. According to the National Library of Medicine, Statistics show that 95% of teens aged from 13-17 use social media daily. “I usually spend 6-7 hours on my phone on TikTok or Instagram reels,” Marbury said.
Lack of physical activity is dangerous to the development of the body. It’s important for teens to get plenty of activities, such as exercise, sunlight, and sleep, which help release endorphins, helping to relieve depressive symptoms.
Pew Research Center statistics show that 74% of teens view social media as a positive space for them to be themselves and a way to stay in contact with friends. 63% say they can be more creative on a large, online platform. Other benefits of social media use among teens include access to new information and entertainment, a unique space for self-expression, and individual independence.
The same Pew Research Center results show that 40% of teens say social media hurts their productivity. Four in ten teens say social media decreases their amount of sleep, hindering their ability to get work done or stay focused due to not getting enough rest.
Content like “Brain-rot humor” can lead to overconsumption of media, doomscrolling, mental fatigue, and memory gaps, all of which can be dangerous for developing young minds.
Social media consumption by teens can lead to participating in dangerous trends. For example, “Kia Boys TikTok challenge,” which involves theft of Kia or Hyundai vehicles, and bypassing their ignition and grand theft auto. Another trend is the “NyQuil Chicken challenge,”
which involves cooking chicken with NyQuil to experience some type of euphoria. This eventually caught the attention of the U.S. The Food and Drug Administration quickly released an official warning about the dangerous consequences of this trend. Marbury says, “I don’t participate in trends; most are corny.”
