Social media is no longer the “fun-only" platform it was when it first began. To paint a clearer picture of how badly it went downhill, a 2024 report by the World Health Organization revealed that 1 in 10 adolescents exhibited signs of “problematic social media behavior,” including an inability to control their use.
However, it is still a medium that brings people together, especially among young people. As psychologist and Brown University professor Dr. Jacqueline Nesi points out, it’s a way for teenagers to explore their identities, which she deems an “important task of the adolescent years.”
Memes are another tool that unites people online. These well-crafted images succinctly express a statement that many people typically relate to, and you may see some of them on this list.
A Penn State study concluded that memes can influence one's sense of belonging, community, and attitude toward a community.
Of course, we cannot ignore the potential dangers that social media use brings, and it’s not the obvious ones that many would likely be aware of. Clinical psychologist Dr. Mary Ann McCabe views these social platforms as echo chambers due to the algorithms that present the same type of content.
There’s also underlying racism within these sites through “filter biases,” where most “beauty filters” on platforms like Instagram and Snapchat are geared towards appealing to paler skin tones.
Ultimately, it’s about maintaining a healthy relationship with social media and recognizing when it becomes problematic. This especially applies to pre-adolescent kids since research shows that excessive use may not be suitable for developing brains.
In addition, some problematic habits to watch out for include social media use that interferes with daily routines, choosing these platforms over in-person interactions, and lying to spend time online. These behaviors are similar to substance addiction and abuse.
We’d also like to hear your opinions, dear readers. Which of these memes and posts were most relatable to you? Why do you think they established a connection? Share your thoughts in the comments!
