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Behind the Screens: How Mental Health Professionals Can Help Teens Struggling with Social Media Use
https://www.afterbabel.com/p/what-therapists-can-doA therapist’s firsthand account working in an adolescent mental health unit
Helen Thai
Feb 10, 2025
When I asked my patient Caroline2 about her self-harm, I was struck by how often her response seemed to link her behavior to the online world: Every scar on her body—although carefully hidden from her parents—had been shared openly with thousands of strangers on social media. As she spoke, I could not suppress the question forming in my mind: Why?
Before meeting Caroline, my understanding of social media was shaped largely by my own experiences as a user. My curiosity about its effects began after my first “social media cleanse.” What began as a temporary experiment unexpectedly became a long-term lifestyle change, as I discovered noticeable benefits to my mood, sleep, and concentration. My academic research at the time (Thai et al., 2021; Thai et al., 2024) seemed to validate my personal experience, demonstrating how curated, perfectionist personas online contribute to body image concerns, particularly in youth who already present with emotional distress. The premise was simple: reducing exposure to idealized images could help alleviate insecurities and improve aspects of body image, such as weight and appearance esteem.
Caroline’s story, however, forced me to confront a different reality. Social media is not just a gallery of filtered selfies or polished highlight reels designed to stoke insecurity. For some, it becomes a stage for raw vulnerability. Amid the flood of idealized content, these platforms also serve as spaces where unfiltered expressions of suffering find an audience. Why are people like Caroline compelled to expose their deepest struggles online? In the rest of this post, I explore how social media platforms shape adolescent psychological experiences, the risks they present, and practical interventions for mental health professionals helping young people navigate this digital landscape.
Before meeting Caroline, my understanding of social media was shaped largely by my own experiences as a user. My curiosity about its effects began after my first “social media cleanse.” What began as a temporary experiment unexpectedly became a long-term lifestyle change, as I discovered noticeable benefits to my mood, sleep, and concentration. My academic research at the time (Thai et al., 2021; Thai et al., 2024) seemed to validate my personal experience, demonstrating how curated, perfectionist personas online contribute to body image concerns, particularly in youth who already present with emotional distress. The premise was simple: reducing exposure to idealized images could help alleviate insecurities and improve aspects of body image, such as weight and appearance esteem.
Caroline’s story, however, forced me to confront a different reality. Social media is not just a gallery of filtered selfies or polished highlight reels designed to stoke insecurity. For some, it becomes a stage for raw vulnerability. Amid the flood of idealized content, these platforms also serve as spaces where unfiltered expressions of suffering find an audience. Why are people like Caroline compelled to expose their deepest struggles online? In the rest of this post, I explore how social media platforms shape adolescent psychological experiences, the risks they present, and practical interventions for mental health professionals helping young people navigate this digital landscape.
Summary:
By supporting digital literacy, encouraging offline connections, and equipping adolescents with adaptive coping strategies, mental health professionals can help them cultivate a balanced relationship with technology—one that preserves the advantages of social media while safeguarding their well-being. Ultimately, empowering young people to reclaim agency over their digital lives not only promotes emotional resilience but also lays the groundwork for a more enduring sense of self—one that transcends the screen.
Parents, when kids are getting really distressed, get professional help. This is a serious ailment.
And things are getting more difficult.