The Dark Side of Social Media: How Teens Get Hooked

Social media is everywhere these days. It keeps us connected and entertained, but it also has a dark side. Teenagers are especially at risk for social media addiction. This means spending too much time online, feeling like they have to check their phones constantly, and letting it harm their real-life relationships and responsibilities. But why do teens get addicted? It's a mix of personal issues, like low self-esteem or mental health problems. The way social media is designed also plays a part, with features like endless scrolling and personalized notifications. Plus, there's peer pressure and seeing perfect lives online that aren't real.To tackle this, we need to look at it from all angles. Therapies like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and mindfulness can help. Educating teens about the risks is important too. Parents also have a role, setting boundaries and keeping an eye on their kids' online habits. By doing all this, we can help teens use social media in healthier ways and improve their well-being overall.