by Mrs. Richardson, guest bloogger, Media/Outreach Coach For years, people have been studying the effects of social media on (especially) young people. In this pandemic world, it seems the chickens have come home to roost. And as a result, depression and anxiety for ages 15 – 22 is the highest ever. Considering that we’ve had alarming results before COVID, this is a topic affecting more than a generation. Don’t believe me? A study conducted in 2016 – 2017 of people aged 15 – 20 shows numbers that will take you off guard. Before COVID, 39% reported depression! Before COVID, 60% reported anxienty at least once the previous week! Before COVID, 31% of high school and college aged kids had seriously considered suicide! Worst of all, before COVID, 60% reported feeling “very lonely.” This is a crisis that is ignored by too many. Why are they suffering? We’ve known that the prominence of social media was a lot of it. But why? I can only speak for the young people I know but considering how many folks report their friends “live on their phone”, it makes sense. With COVID, you’d think young people would be “doing fine” with the lockdowns and digital connections, but that’s not what’s happening. Social Media has exacerbated the FOMO (Fear of Missing Out). When you only see stuff you can’t do or places you can’t go or people you can’t meet, you compare that with the lack of fun and lack of companionship you live through daily. Of course, you forget that time in social media shows someone’s highlights not their reality, and with filters and photoshop they actually make it look BETTER than reality! Add to that the “serial monogamy” and “hookup lifestyle” that the media promotes, so “friends” is a confusing relationship status that can’t adjust naturally because of digital availability alone. Let’s say you are willing to accept that reality and that there are people interested in more than a hook up, your only choices right now are Tinder or nothing! There is no informal socializing. You can’t join organizations. The people you can manage to come across in this generation were never taught to engage with people that they don’t know face-to-face. They’re digital natives – but reality tourists. This world situation theoretically has tons of opportunities. You can “talk” with people all over the world. You can find people with similar interests even in the smallest towns or where you are different from those around you. But PEOPLE (like our simian friends) are social creatures. In the time of our youth, we are looking to make connections outside of our families. In the COVID world, this is a crisis that is not being addressed enough. You, it’s important to be safe – especially around compromised individuals. But we can’t leave behind healthy ones out of fear. They can’t get this time in their lives back. We must look for ways to help and support young people – or they will never grow old. So that’s the challenge. I’m looking for ideas. There have to be options that will work. I have too many young people in my life struggling with loneliness. As an introvert myself, I dealt with feelings of being alone in the world, but I’m not 15. Or 18. Or 20. Don’t just say Call a Friend or Call Family. That’s what they’re already doing, and it does NOT fill the void. Staying busy on “stuff that matters” (school, work) is all that seems to help. So, here’s the appeal – especially at Valentine’s Day – what works? We can’t lose a generation to loneliness.
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AuthorThe CSP Blog is written by members of the CSP Media team, with guest blogs by alumni and other guests. Archives
March 2022
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