By Christina Oschman-Vandiver, MSW, LSW – May 7, 2025 –
Technology plays a large role in the lives of students, particularly those in middle and high school. It seems to have become a big part of their lives and their preferred method of communication.
While technology offers convenience, it also presents more than a few challenges. Whether it is social media, messaging or video games, they all provide a level of communication and anonymity. Students can portray themselves and their peers any way they want, which often leads to the aforementioned challenges.
As a school social worker, I see students using technology and social media accounts at increasingly younger ages. One benefit of students having a social media account is that it offers a way to stay connected with friends and family that may not be local as well as staying abreast of current events. I believe that staying connected with others plays an important role in good mental health, and a benefit of technology as a whole is that it gives students a way to reach out to others and ask for help if needed.
On the other hand, technology and social media can present quite a few challenges. Working in a middle school, I see the constant struggle of keeping students off of their electronics during the school day. With the constant use of social media, I have seen rumors spread rapidly, videos of fights shared, and online bullying, to list a few examples. I have also seen social media accounts made for the purpose of ridiculing other students and even teachers. The challenges have increased with the required use of computers by students for classes and classwork.
Middle school is difficult enough, and adding technology and social media to the mix does not make things any easier. Social media can have a negative effect on a student’s mental health. When rumors are spread or embarrassing pictures are shared, it often leads to feelings of shame, insecurity and self-doubt. Then when others begin to join in, the student may begin to believe what is being said, possibly leading to depression, anxiety, isolation, anger, and loss of friendships. The more people that become involved, the more challenging it is for the student to handle and the school administration to resolve the issue.
When it comes to mental health, there are both positives and negatives to students using technology and social media. A positive of a student having access to technology is that when they are feeling down or having thoughts of self-harm, they have the ability to easily reach out and get help, whether that be from a friend, family member or hotline number. Another positive is the possibility of finding a community where they feel accepted and others who may have gone through similar situations who can be an inspiration for the student.
A downside is that there are times when students are focused on their devices and the actions of others and become so wrapped up in what someone else is doing that they forget to live their own life. Another downside is that rumors spread very quickly online and the negative effects on mental health increase.
As with almost anything, technology and social media can have a positive or negative impact on mental health. On the one hand, it can be used for community, connectedness, and support. On the other hand, it can be used as a way to spread rumors, deceit and to tear others down. Therefore, it is important to bring awareness to positive mental health and proper use of technology, especially within the middle and high school student populations.