Why the Media is Shaping the Gen Z Mental Health Crisis and How We Can Help Stop It
Written By: Aly Vredenburgh 8/1/24
The Power and Impact of Media on Gen Z
I think people forget how influential media is. A few years ago, I was spammed non-stop with HelloFresh ads on social media and on TV show commercials. The first time I saw an ad from them I thought, oh that’s an interesting new concept and after the third ad I gave in and tried it. This is the power of the media. I had no issue preparing meals myself but after a few celebrities made videos and ads on it I bought the product out of curiosity.
Media, such as the shows and movies we consumed as kids, influences us in many ways and often negatively. And to be honest, I do not think it is surprising why we Gen Zers are currently influencer-obsessed and struggle with self-esteem given the media of our time. We were born into a world no one was ready for, and now we are constantly connected to technologies we still have little understanding of in terms of their impact. As a nation there is a huge opportunity to understand the influence of media, and find ways to harness it for good.
How Does Media Influence Us?
According to NYU professor Eric Arias, media influences people in two main ways:
1. Direct Influence: Media provides new information or trends that individuals adopt. For example, media promotes a new beauty trend, and people start following it.
2. Indirect Influence: Media shares common information that helps people coordinate their actions. For example, media reports on a new diet product, and people start using it because they know others are doing the same.
One example of such influence is through the new Ozempic craze. Media began promoting Ozempic, a new weight loss medication a couple years ago, after patients who used the medication to treat diabetes discovered the strong weight loss properties. This is an example of direct influence. During the 2023 Oscars, Jimmy Kimmel even made a joke about how all the celebrities around the room looked great and said, “When I look around this room, I can’t help but wonder: Is Ozempic right for me?”
Normal people like me read articles and watch TV shows featuring celebrities who used Ozempic and wonder if we should try it too. Simultaneously, blogs and social media have been buzzing about how many people are using Ozempic and the results they are seeing. This has created a sense of shared experience, an example of indirect influence. There are over 97,000 people on TikTok talking about Ozempic. With an increase of around 400 percent in Google searches and prescriptions for the weight loss drug, it is clear that media about Ozempic has created widespread influence.
The ability of people to be persuaded is rooted in evolution and biology. Following the lead of high-status, high-prestige individuals in a group is seen in both humans and primates, where it is common to align one’s gaze or copy the decisions of those with “high status.” Dr. Elizabeth (Zab) Johnson, with the Wharton Neuroscience Initiative states that “this behavior is seen in the wild when monkeys turn to look at whatever a higher-status monkey is looking at in the trees” and their behavior is remarkably similar to humans in the office when employees model their work after the top-rated employee. Dr. Johnson further argues, “when [a] leader is successful, others require less evidence to make the same choice.” We often blindly follow people that are perceived to be an expert or famous because of their influence. This becomes a concern when people we deem influential encourage us to believe prestige, consumption of overly expensive products, or eating disorder behavior is worth copying.
Young minds are especially susceptible to influence because they are still in critical stages of development. During childhood and adolescence, the brain is highly plastic, meaning it is particularly good at forming new connections. This plasticity is a double-edged sword. It allows for rapid learning and adaptation but also makes young people more vulnerable to external influences, such as media portrayals of beauty, success, and relationships.
The brain’s reward system is highly active during adolescence. This makes young people more sensitive to rewarding stimuli, such as social approval and novel experiences. Social media and other forms of media tap into this system by providing constant streams of likes, comments, and new content, which can create addictive behaviors and reinforce certain ideals and behaviors.
Media and Body Image
Many teens and young adults struggle today with body image, eating disorders, and low self-esteem. The National Organization for Women reports that by the time girls reach age 15, 53 percent say that they are “unhappy with their bodies.” This number grows to 78 percent by the time the girls reach 17. These numbers have also been found in teen boys, where 75 percent of adolescent boys have reported dissatisfaction with their bodies, and up to half of them are using supplements such as protein powders during their teens in an attempt to boost muscularity. The media has increasingly promoted a “thin/fit” ideal that is often unattainable in a healthy way for most. In a study of fifth graders, both boys and girls reported dissatisfaction with their bodies after watching a Britney Spears music video or a clip from the TV show Friends. Even back in 1996, a study found that the time adolescents spent watching soaps, movies, and music videos correlated with body dissatisfaction and a desire to be thin.
This makes sense that young impressionable minds want to copy such ideals—seeing beautiful people on screen winning their love interest’s hearts, finding fame and admiration. Who wouldn’t want to be adored for being beautiful and cool? When we are subjected to media that tells us that being thin and fitting a certain ideal is “cool” or necessary to find love and happiness, many of us are going to copy it. When I watched Hannah Montana as a teen, did I also buy a blonde wig and try to write songs in my living room? Absolutely.
The Psychological Impact of TV & Movies
A study in the UK in 2014 concluded that media is producing adverse effects on the psychological well-being of audiences. Watching TV has been linked to more mood and anxiety problems. It was also connected to worse overall mental health, including lower self-esteem and life satisfaction, especially for girls. In 2022 researchers found that negative news is associated with anxiety, and depression.
Data from the CDC indicates that the suicide rate among individuals aged 10 to 24 remained steady from 2000 to 2007 but surged by 57 percent between 2007 and 2017 after the onset of social media and new t.v series, like the Kardashians which was also launched in 2007. The U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy released an advisory about the youth mental health crisis because of concerns about social media. Social media use among youth is widespread, with up to 95 percent of youth aged 13 to 17 engaging with these platforms, and nearly 40 percent of children aged 8 to 12 also taking part, despite the recommended minimum age of 13. A longitudinal study involving 6,595 US adolescents aged 12 to 15 revealed that adolescents spending over three hours per day on social media were twice as likely to encounter adverse mental health outcomes, such as symptoms associated with depression and anxiety. All of this calls to question how much harm social media is having on my generation.
The Good Part of Social Media
Despite its drawbacks, social media can also have positive effects. It offers continuous social connection, access to information and resources, and reduces the stigma associated with seeking help. Online communities provide validation, empathy, and practical advice, contributing to overall well-being. Research in 2023 showed that regular social media engagement correlated with improved mental health, self-rated health, social well-being, and resilience. Social media can provide a platform for supportive relationships, access to mental health resources, and open conversations about mental health.
Conclusion
Media isn’t just a tool for connection, it also has profound implications for our mental health. Recognizing its impact and fostering a culture of mindfulness and digital literacy can help us reclaim control over our online lives. While there are drawbacks, the benefits of social media, when used responsibly, can balance the negatives. Media shaped us, but it can also help save us. Let’s harness its power for good.
Out of Focus 