The overwhelming popularity of platforms such as Instagram and TikTok has created a reliance on social media and transformed how we communicate.

The Covid-19 pandemic played a part in accelerating this movement, turning social media from a casual tool to an essential part of daily life.

While it allows us to connect, share knowledge and even fuel social movements, research suggests it comes with significant downsides for society.

According to the independent UK charity, the Royal Society for Public Health, around 91% of 16–24-year-olds use the internet for social networking, with the charity describing social media to be as addictive as cigarettes or alcohol.

A 2022 study conducted by Nature Communications, led by Dr. Amy Orben from the University of Cambridge, found that, on average, girls aged just 11-13 discovered negative links to social media, and young boys felt the same impacts at around 14-15 years old.

But the negative consequences of social media are not just statistics.

A tragic case recently highlighted the real-world dangers.

On 7 February 2025, UK headlines announced that a lawsuit had been filed by the parents of four British teenagers, who allegedly died after attempting dangerous TikTok challenges in 2022.

TikTok has stated that searches for related videos or hashtags to the challenge are blocked on the app, which has been in place since 2020.

As social media continues to shape our daily lives, the question remains: how can we balance its potential for good with the risks it poses?

While social media has provided young people with opportunities to stay connected and discover creative ways to express themselves, its darker side cannot be ignored.

According to a study from Yale Medicine, American teenagers aged between 12-15 who used social media for over three hours each day, faced double the risk of developing depression and anxiety symptoms, compared to those who used it less.

For young people who already struggle with their mental health, algorithms on social media sites can continually resurface harmful content, making it very easily accessible.

These online trends can have devastating consequences.

The parents of four British teenagers, Isaac Kenevan, Archie Battersbee, Julian Sweeney and Maia Walsh, are currently suing TikTok, believing their children died after attempting dangerous challenges seen on the platform.

This phenomenon is not new.

The 2016 Blue Whale challenge, as it was known, which sparked global concern around teen suicide, served as another example of how social media can fuel deadly trends.

As social media platforms continue to grow, online safety must be a priority.

Humans are inherently social beings, seeking interaction, affirmation, and validation.

In many ways, social media offers the perfect outlet for self-expression, providing reassurance that our efforts are seen and appreciated by friends and family.

After posting an Instagram story or a Facebook update, it’s hard not to check for likes, reactions and views. The simple act of someone clicking the ‘thumbs up’ button or leaving a small heart carries a ridiculous sense of value.

Social media has magnified these ideas, especially with the rise of influencer culture.

Today, many young people aspire not to become doctors, engineers or lawyers, but to become TikTok famous or appear on the next series of Love Island.

Yet, as someone moves further into the public eye, the pressure to perform and maintain a carefully created image intensifies.

The spotlight brings with it a significant amount of responsibility. There will always be someone watching and waiting for you to make a mistake.

Cyber-bullying is the use of technology to send or post harmful, intimidating or threatening messages and images. As social media has grown, cyberbullying rates have increased.

In 2024, the World Health Organisation (WHO) conducted a global study, revealing that around one in six adolescents reported experiencing cyber-bullying, marking a 3% increase from 2018.

The rate of cyber-bullying has escalated rapidly, especially as many people who participate in the act rarely face consequences for their actions.

Platforms such as X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram allow users to remain anonymous, further emboldening cyberbullies, or ‘trolls’ as they’re more commonly known, to harass others.

While these social media sites offer some wonderful opportunities to connect and to communicate, they provide ground for negativity, harassment and emotional harm. This can be particularly damaging for children during their social development.

Encouraging healthy social media habits is essential. This may include setting time limits for specific apps or trying to communicate more with others face-to-face.

Consider inviting a friend out for dinner and leaving your phone in your bag for the evening. Replace endless scrolling on Instagram with revisiting your own family photos and memories. Or find an activity that helps you take control of your own time.

In an age where social media plays an undeniable role in our daily lives, it’s crucial to strike a balance. It offers unparalleled opportunities for connection and self-expression, but we must be mindful of its potential to negatively impact our well-being, particularly for future generations.

By encouraging healthy habits, and taking control of how we consume digital content, we can ensure that social media remains a positive force, enhancing our development and personal connections.