hx: A Potential Solution for Teen Tech Concerns

Understanding the Impact of Social Media on Teen Mental Health

Over the past ten years, extensive research has been conducted on pressing issues dominating current news coverage. These include the effects of social media on adolescent mental well-being, the advantages of growing up in a digital age, and the identification of potentially harmful or toxic influences, as well as for whom they pose the greatest risk.

Extensive Research with Teenagers

Through conversations with a significant number of teenagers – exceeding 3,600 – we have developed insights detailed in our forthcoming book, “Behind Their Screens: What Teens Are Facing (And Adults Are Missing),” to be published by the MIT Press. Our work encompasses close collaboration with young people and their families in diverse settings, such as schools, community organizations, summer programs, and healthcare facilities.

The Importance of a Holistic Human Experience (HX)

A key realization has emerged: a broader perspective is required when considering teenagers’ interactions with technology. We must prioritize the creation of an optimal human experience (HX) for adolescents. This approach expands our focus to encompass discussions, engagement, and the design of technology that aligns with fundamental human needs.

Beyond Blaming Social Media

While it’s easy to attribute adolescent difficulties solely to social media platforms, it’s crucial to begin by inquiring about and genuinely listening to their stresses, anxieties, and sources of joy. Understanding their current vulnerabilities and identifying genuine sources of comfort, connection, and happiness is paramount. Furthermore, we must assess how specific technological experiences either enhance or diminish their overall well-being.

HX: Perception and Interpretation

HX considers not only what individuals are exposed to, but also how they interpret it. For instance, exercise videos can be motivating for one teenager, fostering healthy habits. However, the same content might reinforce feelings of inadequacy – insufficient fitness, weight concerns, or a lack of productivity – in another.

Addressing the Root Causes

Modifying algorithms and the content teens encounter is important, but it’s not a complete solution. A more comprehensive approach is necessary to address the underlying issues.

The Concept of "The Grind"

This past summer, co-design workshops were conducted with teenagers to reimagine approaches to digital well-being. One participant articulated a concept that resonated deeply with others: “the grind” – a pervasive culture of constant productivity and the feeling of inadequacy when comparing oneself to others’ curated online lives.

Pressures and Expectations

Other teens described “the grind” as the driving force behind “pressure to do the most and spread myself thin.” This encompasses a multitude of pressures – the need to excel in various domains simultaneously.

Multiple Dimensions of Pressure

There’s a pressure to cultivate a unique yet socially acceptable online and offline persona, and another to maintain a flawless appearance at all times. A significant social pressure involves constant socializing and documenting it online to demonstrate an extensive social network, sometimes even at the expense of mental health.

Academic and Career Pressures

Alongside the pursuit of enjoyment, teens also experience pressures related to academic performance – often amplified by the public sharing of grades and course selections – and career aspirations, fueled by a constant need to demonstrate a clear life plan. They also feel pressure to stay informed about current events, define their interests and identities, and be humorous and supportive friends, all while showcasing it on social media.

Individual Experiences and Identities

It’s important to recognize that teens are not a homogenous group, and their experiences with “the grind” vary based on their individual identities and circumstances. For example, an immigrant teen may feel compelled to constantly strive for success, while a queer teen might face pressures related to conforming to societal expectations.

Technology as a Magnifier

Crucially, “the grind” is not solely about technology; it’s a confluence of developmental pressures that are significantly amplified by browsing, scrolling, and posting online.

Recalibrating Relationships with Technology

Adopting a broader HX lens encourages us to consider how we can help teens reassess their relationship with technology. Instead of engaging in a confrontational “us-versus-them” dynamic, we should recognize that teens often express dissatisfaction with their own screen time.

Teens' Own Awareness

A 15-year-old expressed, “People are always glued to their phones, but so am I and I hate that.” A 17-year-old stated, “My phone distracts me from my homework and from the life moments I am currently in. I know it’s a problem so I am trying to limit how much time I spend on my phone since hours and hours can go by of talking to my friends or liking pictures on Instagram.” Another 16-year-old admitted, “TikTok runs my life.”

Human Desires and Developmental Sensitivities

Modern technologies are engineered to capture our attention by appealing to fundamental human desires, prompting continuous clicking, scrolling, and a desire for more. For teenagers, app features can exploit developmental vulnerabilities, intersecting with needs for peer connection, susceptibility to social pressures, and sensitivity to questions of identity.

Responsibility and Proactive Steps

Social media companies bear a significant responsibility to enhance the safety of teen experiences. However, we don’t need to wait for corporate action to begin supporting HX.

Teens as Active Curators

Astute teens are proactively curating their online experiences, unfollowing and muting accounts that exacerbate feelings of pressure. They actively seek content that resonates with them, providing inspiration or amusement.

Intentional Tech Use

They are also deliberate about when and how they use technology, establishing agreements with friends to activate “do not disturb” mode during face-to-face interactions or refraining from posting pictures to avoid the distraction of seeking validation. During the pandemic, quiet video chat study sessions provided a sense of connection and reduced feelings of isolation.

Cultivating a Focus on HX

We must empower all teens to prioritize HX and develop the skills to support it.

Looking Ahead

While individual actions can improve HX, larger questions remain: Can companies modify their platforms to safeguard vulnerable teens – and will they? What forms of oversight and regulation are necessary? As these debates continue, millions of teens continue to engage with social media. Supporting their HX is a matter of urgent importance.