What Smart Teens Know About Social Media

Don’t worry, I’m not here to tell you to wipe all your social media accounts…although similar concerns may cross your mind any time adults bring up the risks of technology.

Your generation is different from mine. Back in my day, personal technology was considered a luxury. It was nice to have, but most people managed to get by without it. In fact, many of the devices and tools we take for granted today did not even exist then.

For you, it is different. Technology is an essential part of your daily life. Teens everywhere depend on it for school assignments, work and to stay in touch with friends and family. You have never experienced a world without the internet and social media.

Ask three people to define social media, and you will likely get three different answers! It is more than popular apps like Instagram, TikTok, Roblox and Snapchat. These are just channels for engaging in the medium.

In the purest sense, social media refers to any application that enables people to express themselves through online communities and networks.

This social networking is how billions of people interact with the world. Want to catch up with friends? Jump on Snapchat. Looking for news? Check your Google News feed. Need a quick laugh? Scroll TikTok. What about learning a new skill? YouTube has a video for that. Social media can supply just about anything that you need. And if you are not on it yet, you and your friends eventually will be.

But here is the thing—this digital world has a dark side.

Did you know that spending more than three hours a day on social media can double your risk of depression and anxiety? This is not just some random statistic, it comes straight from the United States Surgeon General, the person responsible for reporting on the public health of the nation.

I am not sharing this to scare you off social media or technology. My purpose is to be realistic. These platforms, for all their perks, can lead to body dissatisfaction, low self-esteem and a whole bunch of other issues that nobody wants.

Parents often think about their children’s ability to make good decisions on social media. Young people are naturally impressionable and can be easily influenced, even those in the Church. They want to ensure you are not harming yourself or others—and that you know what to do when negative content comes across your screens.

Dads and moms want mature teens who can responsibly handle social media and technology. Maturity is crucial because it allows you to show that you are not just tech-savvy but also wise.

The good news is that, as a mature teen, you can handle technology properly. There are many teens, both inside and outside of the Church, who already have healthy social media habits. Of course, they are not perfect, but they experience more successes than failures. You can follow in their footsteps and develop positive social media habits too.

Double-edged Sword

In a 2022 Pew survey, teens talked about the good things they get from social media. “In total, 80 percent said social media gives them some level of connection to what is going on in their friends’ lives, 71 percent said it is a place where they can show their creativity, 67 percent said social media reassures them that they have people to support them through tough times, and 58 percent said it makes them feel more accepted” (CNN).

Social media offers you a place to be yourself, explore new ideas and find your peer group. It makes life a little easier if you have ever felt like an outsider.

Additionally, for those who find face-to-face interactions tough, social media can be a good starting point for building confidence and comfort when connecting with others.

But if we are being honest, we know that social media is not all butterflies and rainbows. There are some serious downsides. You know them. People abusing themselves and others, pornography, foul language, gender confusion, selfish behavior. Many point to these and other downsides as the cause of what is wrong with young people and society in general. And there is some truth to this thinking.

This is on top of the depression and anxiety that can stem from the overuse of technology.

When seen this way, social media does not sound as fun. It also explains why adults seem to constantly warn about it.

So, is social media good or bad?

Well, it is kind of like a mirror. Technology does not have a personality of its own—it simply reflects what is put in front of it. The better question is, what are we showing in that mirror? Social media reflects our human nature.

What is worse is that social media is unlike a typical mirror with one reflection. It is more like peering at the reflections of countless others. Jeremiah 17:9, speaking of all human beings, says, “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked.” Imagine billions of deceitful, desperately wicked hearts with a smartphone. Paints a different picture, doesn’t it?

If what you see on your phone is negative, it can drag you down. If it is positive, it can lift you up. Social media use is not black and white. It is about how we choose to use it and how we let it affect us.

Risks and Realities

Let’s dive deeper into the meaning of human nature—the driving force behind the mishandling of technology.

You have probably heard the phrase “human nature,” but have you ever stopped and thought about what it really means?

Ephesians 2:2 explains how Satan influences the world. It describes him as “the prince of the power of the air” and “the spirit that now works in the children of disobedience.” This means that Satan is sending out negative feelings, such as hostility, doubt and envy, just like a broadcast signal. These feelings are being spread everywhere, affecting people’s attitudes and actions.

In an age where Wi-Fi and Bluetooth exist, it is easier to understand the concept of moods and attitudes being broadcasted invisibly.

But it is not as simple as choosing to connect to a Wi-Fi network or Bluetooth device. Human beings, instead, are automatically connected to Satan’s nature! We take on his negative feelings as our own without even realizing it. Rather than connecting to Satan’s signal, we must actively seek to disconnect from his destructive mindset.

Most teens and even adults have no idea about any of this.

This is why the Church often says that human nature is Satan’s nature. Satan is a being with no redeeming qualities. He is determined to destroy mankind and thwart God’s Plan. As a mature teen, you must keep this big picture in mind.

Now add social media, which is like a megaphone or amplifier for Satan’s negative influences. Scrolling through your feeds exposes you to a wide range of moods and attitudes from all kinds of people, many of whom do not have your best interest at heart. Much of social media plays to our carnal nature and desire for things that are not good for us. This explains why excessive use can lead to feelings of depression, anxiety and dissatisfaction.

Think about the content to which many teens are exposed: explicit images, cyberbullying and pressure to act or look a certain way. None of these are good for physical, mental and emotional health. We should also understand that being online all the time can mess up your sleep and overall mental health, according to Mayo Clinic.

Do we need to abandon our phones and quit social media because of all the negativity? Well, since 95 percent of you and your peers are using it, that is not really a practical solution.

What should you do, then?

Allow me to reverse roles and pose the question to you. Imagine yourself as a parent. Consider the delicate balance between granting your teenager the autonomy to engage with technology and social media—and the equally important need to safeguard them from potential dangers. How would you handle the situation? Would you ignore the issues and hope for the best? Or would you opt for a more proactive strategy and approach?

Smart Moves in a Digital World

Cutting off all technology and social media is like trying to live without electricity. Although it may be possible, it is impractical today. Therefore, it is better to aim for a balanced and responsible use of social media and technology. The Bible calls this exercising moderation, a quality we are supposed to be known for (Phil. 4:5).

Moderation is not just a fancy term—it is the key to engaging with social media in a mature way. The Bible has many verses that can help you do just that.

For instance, Hebrews 13:16 tells us to do good and to communicate with others. Social media is a great tool for practicing this verse. With the help of technology and social media, you can do many positive things. For example, you can keep track of your schedule, create a to-do list, and stay updated on the latest news and events happening worldwide. Moreover, staying in touch with friends and family living far away is very easy. You can call them, video chat with them or simply send them a funny GIF or emoji.

Ecclesiastes 3:1 reminds us that there is a proper time for “every purpose under the heaven.” You can use your phones and social media for many purposes in your life, but there are times to put the phone down and focus on other things. It can be your schoolwork, tasks at your job or even the person sitting across from you hoping to have an undistracted conversation. Your goal should be to glorify God (Psa. 34:3) and properly honor your parents (Deut. 5:16) within and outside your use of social media.

There are several practical steps you can take to ensure your online safety. One of the most important is to use privacy settings as your digital armor. These settings allow you to control who has access to your personal information and protect you from unwanted attention.

If you ever encounter unwanted content while browsing the internet, you can use the available tools to help you deal with it. Filters can be used to block offensive content that you do not want to see. Additionally, if someone is bothering you or there are certain words you do not want to see, you can block or mute those accounts and keywords. Doing so can create a peaceful and positive environment on your feed, free from any drama or negativity. (For even more ways to be smart with technology, check out the inset.)

Be mindful of what you are doing online—are you thoughtlessly scrolling or engaging in meaningful ways? Think before you share impulsively. It is about being active, not passive, in your digital world.

Act Like the Adult You Want to Be

I get it. I was a kid once too. I remember the rush of growing up, the excitement mixed with the confusion of facing life head-on. And now, as a parent, I am on the other side of the fence. Believe me, every parent’s dream is to see their kids grow into someone who is not just smart but wise. You are the future leaders, the ones who will help shape the world to come. That is a huge responsibility.

The mature use of social media means that you are responsible and can handle yourself in a digital space where it is easy to hide behind a screen. If you want to be treated like an adult, this is your opportunity to prove that you can handle it.

It is important to talk to your parents or guardians about your social media usage. I know it can be tempting to roll your eyes or ignore them, but they can actually be helpful allies in your journey with social media. They care about you a lot and shutting them out will not do you any good. In fact, they probably know more about the negative side of social media than you do.

Be willing to have open and honest conversations with your parents. Remember, you are not a little kid anymore, so do not act like it. Share your experiences and listen to theirs. Be willing to hear their perspective, even if it is different from yours. As the Bible says, “Let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger” (Jms. 1:19, English Standard Version).

Maturity on social media is about being respectful even when others are not. It is also about using these platforms as tools for learning, growing and being a positive force. Anyone can be nasty behind a keyboard, but staying kind and thoughtful? That takes strength and, you guessed it, maturity.

Everyone has to grow up eventually. The book of Hebrews talks about “strong meat belonging to them that are of full age” who can “discern both good and evil” (5:14). Show that you can handle the “strong meat” of making good decisions with technology and social media.

And you should not forget the good stuff about technology. It is super useful and makes life easier for you and your parents. Technology and social media can help you become more independent.

In times like these, it is important to keep in mind the wise words from Spider-Man: “With great power comes great responsibility.” This is not just a corny saying from a comic book, it is true!

Take on the power and responsibility that comes with social media and technology use. Use them as tools for your growth and platforms where your maturity shines through.