How Social Media is Influencing Student Behavior

What Parents May Be Missing About Their Teen's Online Experience

• Your child is already living in “screenshot culture” where private messages can be saved, shared, and reshaped in seconds, and understanding this now can protect their friendships before something goes wrong
• Watching real teens explain this changes everything because kids listen differently to peers, helping your child recognize risks without feeling lectured or shut down
• The short videos gives your family a shared language so you can guide your child in the exact moments that matter most, not after the damage is done
• A few minutes together can prevent weeks of stress, conflict, or embarrassment by helping your child pause before sending something emotional or reactive
• This is about more than screens. It’s about trust, reputation, and confidence, and the habits your child builds now will follow them into school, friendships, and future opportunities

What Comparison on Social Media Can Do to a Teen’s Confidence Over Time

• Social media can intensify comparison, body image struggles, and pressure to measure up to unrealistic standards.
• Many posts are edited, filtered, and carefully staged, which can make fake or exaggerated images feel normal and create unhealthy expectations.
• Over time, the pressure to always look good and appear interesting online can affect confidence, self-worth, and how teens see themselves in real life.

Understand the Negative Impact Before It Happens to Your Child

Mental Health:  Increased risk of depression, anxiety, low self-esteem, eating disorders, and body image issues

Social Isolation:  Social withdrawal, emotional distress, and lack of interest in activities they used to enjoy

Academic Performance:  A decline in academic focus, engagement, and participation

Physical Health:  Lack of sleep from mindless scrolling on their phone, diet changes, illnesses and decline in well-being from lack of physical activity

Behavior Changes: Mood swings, anger, addiction, or participating in risky behaviors

Long Term Harm:  Lasting impact from cyberbullying, predators, depression, and mental health issues, which could impact future opportunities and relationships

7 Possible Dangers of Teen Social Media Use

1. Constant pressure to post
2. Video app addiction
3. Participating in dangerous challenges
4. Harmful trends
5. Talking with strangers
6. Misinformation on social media
7. Behavior changes/interest changes

7 Disturbing Things Predators Say to Kids Online

1. “Let’s turn on Vanishing Mode” - so content and conversation threads will disappear
2. “Set up another Instagram account, and chat with me there” - parents won’t have that login information
3. “You’re so pretty, I understand you, your parents don’t get you” - predators try to build trust, grooming
4. “Your parents wouldn’t understand; don’t tell them we talked” - hiding the relationship
5. “How old are you? Where are you? What school do you go to?” - collecting personal information 
6. “Here’s a photo of me, now send one of you” - pushing to get an inappropriate photo from your child for future sextortion
7. “Send money or I will send this photo to all of your friends and family” - Harassing, blackmailing, and threatening a student, causing extreme stress and humiliation
   

Give Your Teen Tools They Can Use Everyday

• Parents should have an ongoing conversation with their kids about the negative effects of social media (view our dialogue starters below)
• Create a Family Media Agreement WITH your kids to help them feel in control of their screen time and digital media use
• Review and implement parental controls on your kids' devices to help reduce the risks associated with social media and screen time

The Right Questions Can Help Your Child Think More Critically About What They See

• “Hey, what social media sites are you using the most these days? Can you show me how that app works? Can you teach me?"
• “Can you describe a time when you encountered content that changed how you thought about something?  What happened?"
• “How do you decide what to share about yourself online, and what influences that choice?”
• “In what ways do you think social media or too much of it affects your mood or daily decisions?”
• “I just got tricked by another AI photo the other day.  Can you teach me about the process you use when you come across new information online—what makes you trust or question it?”
• “I respect your privacy online.  How can we balance that with making sure you’re not seeing things that could harm or mislead you?”

Top 3 Social Media Platforms by Teen Usage (13-17 years old)‍

(Source:  Pew Research)

TikTok: 63% of teens have used, 58% use daily

Snapchat: 60% of teens have used, 51% use daily

Instagram:  59% of teens have used, 47% use daily

Featured guests on this blog post:

Kate Doerksen, Co-Founder of Sage Haven for Kids, @sagehavenforkids

Jessica Broadway, Neuroscience coach, www.JessicaBroadway.com, email: [email protected]

Nasseam M. James, MBA, MSW, LCSW-QS, PMH-C, Founder, Center for Perinatal Mental Health and Family Wellness‍

Rachel Richards, Podcast Host, Teenagers Untangled

Kriya Lendzion, LCMHC, LCAS, CPS, https://www.kriyalendzion.com/‍

Sarah Kimmel, Family Tech Expert, Family Tech

Conclusion

As social media continues to evolve, so do its effects on teens’ emotional and behavioral well-being. While it offers valuable opportunities for connection, social support, creativity, and learning, it also presents significant risks that parents and caregivers must address. Continuous conversations, setting boundaries, and proactive guidance can empower young people to make informed choices, ensuring that their online experiences contribute positively to their development rather than becoming a source of stress or harm. With the right strategies, parents can help their children build a balanced and healthy relationship with social media in an increasingly connected world.

Still struggling? Here are More Resources Parents Find Helpful

Parental Controls on Student Devices: What Parents & Educators Need to Know

Avoiding Strangers & Dangerous Situations Online

Shine Online: Positive Impact of Social Media & Screen Time