Social media pressures strain teenage friendships significantly

Friendships are important to our lives, especially for teenagers. Staying connected through social media is a key part of friendship today. However, managing these online relationships can create stress. Young people often feel pressure to be constantly available, which can lead to conflicts. A recent study from Italy looked at how social media affects friendships among teens. Researchers found that unmet expectations, like friends not responding quickly, can lead to disappointment. This disappointment is a major cause of conflict between friends. The study involved over 1,100 teenagers aged 13 to 18. It measured their social media use and friendship interactions at two different times, six months apart. Researchers wanted to see how the need to be available and feelings of disappointment could cause digital stress and conflict. Disappointment from friends not being responsive online often leads to arguments. While pressure to always be available did play a role, it was less impactful compared to feelings of disappointment. Visual content on social media also contributes to conflicts. When teens see their friends active online or socializing without them, they may feel left out. This awareness can heighten negative emotions and lead to friendship tensions. To help build healthier friendships, it's important to set boundaries on social media use. Teens can benefit from scheduling "offline" time and managing notifications. Discussing these practices with friends can also minimize misunderstandings. Learning that not every message needs an immediate response can reduce stress. The study highlights how social media influences friendships but has some limitations. It mainly relied on what teens reported about their social media use. Researchers suggest that future studies should look at actual social media activity over a longer period for better insights.