Hooked & Hindered: Social Media’s Impact on Teens and the Power of Teen Counseling in Roswell, GA

In today’s hyperconnected world, social media platforms are integral to teen life. Whether it’s sharing moments on Instagram, chatting on Snapchat, or scrolling endlessly on TikTok, teenagers are spending increasing amounts of time online. But with this digital immersion comes a complex web of psychological and emotional impacts.

That’s where teen counseling in Roswell, GA, can play a vital role. As teen counselors, parents, and educators, it's crucial to understand both the benefits and the risks associated with social media use in adolescence. Our desire as adults in our children’s lives is to help promote positive social well-being as well as to guide and coach them in a world that is ever changing from a technological perspective.

Is Social Media All Bad? A Teen Counselor’s Take on the Positive Side

While often vilified, social media isn't inherently harmful. In moderation and with guidance, it can provide several benefits for teens:

• Connection and Community: Teens can connect with peers, especially those who share similar interests, backgrounds, or challenges. For marginalized groups, this can be a lifeline.

• Self-expression: Platforms give teens a creative outlet to express themselves through photos, videos, and written content.

• Learning and Awareness: From mental health advocacy to current events, social media can be an educational tool when used wisely.

Understanding The Psychological Impacts of Social Media Use

Despite its potential upsides, social media presents numerous psychological challenges:

• Anxiety and Depression: Research links excessive social media use to increased levels of anxiety and depressive symptoms, often stemming from cyberbullying, social comparison, and disrupted sleep.

• Self-Esteem Issues: Teenagers may tie their self-worth to likes, comments, and followers, leading to unrealistic self-comparisons and poor body image.

• FOMO (Fear of Missing Out): Constant exposure to peers’ curated lives can make teens feel left out, triggering loneliness or inadequacy.

Too Tired to Thrive: How Screen Time Impacts Teen Sleep

Digital devices, especially when used late at night, interfere with sleep quality and duration. Poor sleep is closely associated with mood disorders, academic struggles, and irritability in teens.

Tips to Help Teenagers Build Healthy Digital Habits:

• Set screen time limits, particularly before bedtime. We recommend shutting off your phone at least 60 minutes prior to bedtime.

• Encourage "tech-free" zones, such as during meals or in bedrooms at night.

• Model balanced tech use as adults and caregivers. It doesn’t help your child to see you looking at email on your phone or texting a friend while also having family dinner. We need to learn to “live with our technology as well as learning to live without it”.

How Teen Counseling Supports Teens Facing Cyberbullying

Social media can be a platform for bullying, harassment, and exposure to harmful content. Teens may be reluctant to report incidents due to fear of losing online privileges.

Here are some ways to support teens facing cyberbullying:

• Create an open, judgment-free line of communication.

• Educate teens on privacy settings and online etiquette.

• Be proactive in teaching digital resilience and emotional regulation.

• Consider teen counseling in Roswell, GA, to help them navigate emotional challenges and build healthy online and offline habits.

Building Digital Resilience and Emotional Awareness with Teen Counseling in Roswell, GA

Help teens critically assess what they see online. Not everything posted reflects reality, and learning to question online content is a key life skill. Mindfulness, self-reflection, and journaling are tools that can help teens stay grounded.

Final Thoughts from a Teen Counselor Who Cares

Social media is neither entirely good nor wholly bad—it’s a powerful tool that, when used with awareness and balance, can enrich a teen's life. But without boundaries and guidance, it can contribute to significant emotional and psychological distress. As caregivers, teen counselors, and educators, our role is to equip teens with the insight and tools they need to navigate the digital world mindfully.

At Renovating Hope Counseling, we support teens and their families by addressing the unique challenges they face in today’s digital world. If you would like to take a more in-depth look at the impacts of social media on the mental health of teens, please check out the research articles below:

1. Social Media Use and Depression in Adolescents: A Scoping Review

This comprehensive review analyzed 43 studies and found that approximately 75% reported an association between increased social media use and depression in adolescents. Factors such as decreased physical activity, poor sleep quality, cyberbullying, and negative self-esteem were identified as contributing elements. NCBI

2. Social Media Use and Its Impact on Adults' Mental Health and Well-Being: A Scoping Review

While focusing on adults, this review highlights that excessive and passive social media use is linked to increased depression, anxiety, and loneliness. Conversely, positive and purposeful use can enhance mental well-being. PubMed

3. Link Between Excessive Social Media Use and Psychiatric Disorders

This article discusses how excessive social media use correlates with various psychiatric disorders, including anxiety, depression, insomnia, and stress. It emphasizes the need for a balanced approach to social media engagement. PMC

4. Social Media Use and Well-Being: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

This meta-analysis revealed that while excessive social media use doesn't significantly affect subjective well-being, problematic use is negatively correlated with both subjective and psychological well-being. PubMed

5. Social Media Use for Coping with Stress and Psychological Adjustment

Examining social media use during the COVID-19 pandemic, this study found that using social media for problem-focused coping was negatively associated with psychological adjustment, potentially due to exposure to misinformation and increased anxiety. NCBI

Support Your Teen’s Digital Well-Being with Teen Counseling in Roswell, GA

If your teen is overwhelmed by the pressure, comparison, or anxiety that comes with constant social media use, you’re not alone, and they don’t have to navigate it alone either. At Renovating Hope Counseling in Roswell, GA, we specialize in helping teens build healthier relationships with themselves, their peers, and their digital world.

Through individualized counseling for teens, we create a supportive space where your teen can explore the impact of social media, learn emotional regulation skills, and reconnect with their confidence beyond the screen.

Here’s how to begin:

1. Schedule a free 15-minute phone consultation to discuss your concerns and learn how we can help.

2. Book an initial teen counseling session to begin exploring how social media is impacting your teen’s emotions and self-image.

3. Watch your teen rediscover joy and confidence, online and off.

Other Counseling Services for Families and Individuals in Roswell, GA

At Renovating Hope Counseling, we offer more than just teen counseling. Our services are designed to support individuals and families at every stage of life. From individual counseling and child therapy to family sessions that foster connection and communication, our team helps clients strengthen relationships and emotional resilience.

We also provide marriage and couples counseling to help partners grow together, as well as trauma-informed care for those seeking healing from past experiences. For clients managing specific mental health needs, we offer specialized therapy for anxiety, depression, OCD, disordered eating & body image concerns, and women’s emotional health.

To further support holistic wellness, we offer brainspotting, faith-based Christian counseling, and virtual therapy for flexibility and access. Functional nutrition counseling and sports performance coaching round out our services, ensuring mind-body alignment and support for your full journey.

Learn About the Author: A Compassionate Therapist for Teens in Roswell, GA

Kristen Shoemaker has been married for 22 years and is the proud mom of four children. She has a deep love for the Grand Tetons and enjoys relaxing family getaways to Kiawah Island. At home, she’s kept company by her two beloved dogs, Pippin, a goldendoodle, and Winston, a Cavapoo. When she’s not in the counseling office, Kristen enjoys staying active with workouts, spending time in her garden, and playing board games with her family around the table.