What are the consequences of social media? You may think, “Oh, it’s nothing important.” But you’re wrong. Social media is affecting society in so many ways that no one can even think of. Here is why.

Social media has transformed the way we communicate, share information, etc. Although it has brought many positive changes, there is always a downside to social media. Social media has spread misinformation and has had negative effects. Jeffrey Hall, PhD, director of the Relationships and Technology says “There is always a cultural belief that it’s replacing face-to-face time with our close friends and family.”

Teens and young adults are by far the most affected by social media with a shocking 40% of American Internet users aged 18 to 22 years old. According to California State University, an estimated 10%, or 33.19 million, Americans are addicted to social media. Around 30% of Americans consider themselves addicted to social media.

Certain content related to risk-taking, and negative posts or interactions on social media have been linked with self-harm, even death. The risks of social media lead to many factors. One also may be because teens spend too much time on social media. In a study, it showed 12-15 year olds in the United States, spend too much time on social media.

Some of the content that social media shows may be more risky for teens who already have a mental health condition. Being exposed to hate and/or cyberbullying on social media can raise the risk of anxiety or depression. Because of teens dealing with anxiety, depression, or any mental health condition, it makes teenagers perform less well in school, sports, and social interactions.