Feb. 23, 2026
By Chloe Lin
Staff Writer
For many teenagers, social media is the first thing they check when they wake up and the last before going to sleep. While these platforms offer connection, entertainment and an escape, they also raise concerns about mental health and self-esteem.
School counselor Ms. Truncellito said a common problem on social media is comparison, as users feel pressured to live, act or appear a certain way.
“People look at what’s [on] social media and think that that’s what their life should emulate and that’s what their life should be, instead of focusing on what they do have,” Truncellito said.
She said to avoid such comparisons, teens should consider stepping away from their devices.
“The best thing to do is just unplug [and] do a digital detox,” Truncellito said. “The longer a habit goes on, the harder it is to break.”
According to a 2021 Cleveland Clinic Health Study, taking a break from one’s screen can reduce stress, sharpen focus and improve overall mood. The study also identifies increased irritability, insecurity and disrupted sleep as signs that a pause from social media may be necessary.
Senior Ioanna Hantzaras, who uses Instagram and TikTok, said these platforms create unrealistic standards that impact her self-esteem.
“It makes me feel so insecure, like I’m not doing enough in life because these people make their lives seem so perfect and productive,” Hantzaras said.
Hantzaras said, even though she understands its downsides, she has become dependent on social media.
“It’s an addiction,” Hantzaras said. “My life would change so much for the better if I did not have it.”
Sophomore Caitlin Correia said social media has impacted her sleep and performance in school.
“I’ll get stuck in [an Instagram] Reel or a TikTok, and I just scroll for hours. It’ll start off with something I like, and it’ll become a mindless scroll that often keeps me up late at night because I can’t stop,” Correia said. “I fall behind on the majority of my assignments because I spend more time scrolling on social media than doing what I should be doing.”
“It makes me feel so insecure, like I’m not doing enough in life because these people make their lives seem so perfect and productive.”
Correia said social media can be problematic, but realistic posts lift her spirits.
“Getting a sense of reality through social media boosts my confidence because it makes me pause and realize that not everything is positive or 100% good, and I should learn to take the negatives,” Correia said.
History teacher Ms. Schiraldi said students should bear in mind that people present personas, rather than their real identities, on social media.
“[They] want you to think [that they’re] confident, wonderful [and] great in school, [but] that’s not always the case,” Schiraldi said.
She said it is especially concerning when students post misleading or incorrect advice that they are unqualified to give.
“They don’t have the mental capacity, professional [background] or education to really help someone with a mental health issue,” Schiraldi said.
She said that when students face mental health challenges, they should start by visiting their school counselors rather than relying on social media for assistance.
“I’m a full believer that speaking to someone can really help people navigate their [lives]. It helps a lot when you speak to someone who’s [a] professional,” said Schiraldi.
