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The Digital Dilemma: The Impact of Social Media on the Psychological Well-being, Social and Religious Behavior of Teenagers

Arnita Norman

Liberty University Online

CLED987: Research Methods for Christian Leadership V (A01) CLED987_A01_202430 Gary Bredfeldt

May 31, 2024

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Abstract

In the wake of the increasingly growing digital space, the use of social media platforms has highly affected teenagers in various facets of life including the social behavior, religious behavior and psychological well-being. In the U.S, social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, Tiktok, X (formerly Twitter), WhatsApp SnapChat, and YouTube are the most common among teenagers. Although those platforms have their fair share of positive contribution towards teenagers in terms of imparting knowledge, improving social connections, and enhanced self-expression, they have a huge negative impact on how teenagers behave socially, religiously and psychologically. The aim of this paper is to examine the dual nature of social media, exploring its impact on teenagers' psychological health and their social and religious behavior

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Table of Contents Abstract .......................................................................................................................................................2

Introduction ................................................................................................................................................4

The Rise and Evolution of Social Media ...................................................................................................4

Prevalence of Social Media Use Among Teenagers .................................................................................5

The Pervasive Influence of Social Media on Teenagers ..........................................................................6

Impact of Social Media on Teenagers Psychological Well-being............................................................7

Impact of Social Media on Teenagers Social Behavior............................................................................8

Impact of Social Media on Teenagers Religious Behavior ....................................................................11

Role of Parents, Religious Leaders, and Educators ...............................................................................15

Conclusion .................................................................................................................................................15

References .................................................................................................................................................16

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Introduction

The world of social media is constantly evolving, with teenagers at the forefront, driving new trends and shaping how these platforms are used. Teenagers, particularly those aged between 13 to 19 years are the most people who use social media. In the U.S, the largest percentage of social media users (93%) are teenagers (Dixon, 2024). Research by the credible Phew Research Center shows that 67% of U.S. teens between age 13 and 17 ever use TikTok, 62% use Instagram, 59% use Snap Chat, 32% use Facebook, 95% use YouTube while smaller shares use platforms like Reddit, X, Twitch, Tumblr and WhatsApp (Vogels, Gelles-watnick & Massarat, 2022). As Katella (2024) emphasizes ages of 10 and 19 are a highly sensitive time for the brain, when identities and feelings of self-worth are formed. This implies that consistent usage of social media could lead to unique alterations in the growing brain, which could impact teen capabilities including impulse control, emotional regulation, and emotional learning and behavior (Katella, 2024). This paper examines the dual nature of social media, exploring its impact on teenagers' psychological health and their social and religious behavior.

The Rise and Evolution of Social Media

The journey from basic online communication tools to today's sophisticated networks has been remarkable. In the early 2000s, the digital space began to shift dramatically. MySpace was the first social media platform to capture widespread attention, hitting a million active users by 2004 (Mandl, 2023). It offered a novel way to create profiles, connect with friends, and share content. Although MySpace eventually faded, it set the stage for the following social media giants.

Facebook, launched in 2004, quickly became the leader of the pack. By 2019, Facebook boasted 2.4 billion users worldwide (Lee, 2021). This platform's success lay in its ability to adapt and expand continually, integrating features like news feeds, video sharing, and a marketplace. These innovations transformed Facebook from a simple networking site into a comprehensive social hub. YouTube, another major player, emerged in 2005. It revolutionized how we consume and share video content (Sharma & Sharma, 2021) With over 2.5 billion monthly visitors today, YouTube is the go-to platform for everything from music videos to educational tutorials. Its success underscored the importance of video content in the social media ecosystem.

Other platforms like LinkedIn (2003), Instagram (2010), and Snapchat (2011) have each carved out their niches. LinkedIn became the premier site for professional networking, while Instagram capitalized on the power of visual content. Snapchat introduced the idea of ephemeral content, with photos and videos that disappear after a short period, appealing particularly to younger audiences (McWhirter, 2024). In 2016, TikTok burst onto the scene, quickly becoming a favorite among teenagers and young adults. Known for its short, engaging videos, TikTok leveraged sophisticated algorithms to deliver highly personalized content (McWhirter, 2024). By mid-2018, it had already amassed half a billion users, showcasing the rapid pace at which new social media platforms could grow.

The evolution of social media has also been marked by the rise of messaging apps like WhatsApp and WeChat. While initially focused on text communication, these platforms have expanded to include voice and video calls, file sharing, and even payments (Zhang, 2023). They have become integral to daily communication for billions of people worldwide. The rapid growth of social media has not been uniform across all platforms. Some, like Friendster and Hi5, enjoyed brief periods of popularity before fading into obscurity. Others, like Reddit and Tumblr,

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have maintained dedicated user bases by focusing on niche communities and specific types of content.

As social media platforms have evolved, so have their functionalities. Early platforms were primarily text-based, but integrating images and videos has become crucial. X, initially limited users to short text updates but soon allowed multimedia posts (McWhirter, 2024). This shift significantly increased user engagement and broadened the platform's appeal. Mobile technology has played a key role in propagating the use of social media. The launch of the iPhone in 2007 and subsequent smartphone innovations have made social media accessible anytime, anywhere. Mobile apps for platforms like Instagram and Snapchat were designed to be used on-the-go, further integrating social media into everyday life.

Prevalence of Social Media Use Among Teenagers

The prevalence of social media use among teenagers has surged dramatically over the past decade. According to a 2024 survey by Cason et al., a staggering 95% of teenagers aged 13 to 17 have used YouTube. This makes it the most popular platform among this age group. The same survey revealed that 67% of teens use TikTok, 62% are on Instagram, and 59% engage with Snapchat (Cason et al., 2024). These platforms have not only become popular but have also ingrained themselves into the daily routines of teenagers. Interestingly, Facebook, once a dominant force in social media, has seen its usage among teens plummet from 71% in 2014-15 to just 32% in 2022 (Cason et al., 2024). The research also points out that shows that Almost all teenagers in the U.S. use at least one social media platform, with daily usage ranging between 6- 8 hours.

The demographics of social media use among teens are diverse. For instance, Black teens and teen girls are more likely to use TikTok. About 81% of Black teens reported using TikTok compared to 71% of Hispanic teens and 62% of White teens (Cason et al., 2024). Similarly, 73% of teen girls use TikTok, compared to 60% of teen boys (Vogels, Gelles-watnick & Massarat, 2022). This gender divide is also evident on Instagram and Snapchat, where 69% of girls use Instagram versus 55% of boys, and 64% of girls use Snapchat compared to 54% of boys (Cason et al., 2024). On the flip side, Vogels and Gelles-watnick (2023) found that boys are more likely to use platforms like YouTube (97% of boys vs. 92% of girls), Twitch (26% of boys vs. 13% of girls), and Reddit (20% of boys vs. 8% of girls).

The frequency of social media use among teens is also noteworthy. Approximately 77% of teens use YouTube daily, with 19% reporting they are on the platform almost constantly. TikTok sees daily use by 58% of teens, and about 16% are almost constantly engaged with it (Vogels, Gelles-watnick & Massarat, 2022). Instagram and Snapchat have similar daily engagement rates, with about half of teens using each platform daily (Cason et al., 2024). When asked about their ability to give up social media, many teens indicated it would be challenging. Around 54% said it would be hard for them to give up social media, with 58% of girls finding it difficult compared to 49% of boys. Older teens (ages 15 to 17) are more likely to express difficulty in giving up social media than younger teens (ages 13 to 14).

Teens’ perspectives on social media’s impact on their lives are quite telling. While 32% believe that social media has had a mostly positive effect on their own lives, only 24% think it has been beneficial for their peers (Cason et al., 2024). Conversely, 32% of teens feel that social media has mostly negatively impacted people their age, whereas only 9% feel the same about its impact on themselves (Vogels & Gelles-watnick 2023). This suggests a critical view where teens recognize broader societal issues with social media but may not see themselves as being as

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affected. Interestingly, while many teens feel that social media can be overwhelming due to drama and peer pressure, they also acknowledge its positive aspects. According to Katella (2024), a study by Phew research shows that most teens (80%) report feeling more connected to their friends' lives, others (71%) report having a platform to express their creativity, a significant number (67%) report feeling supported through tough times and others (58%) report experiencing a sense of acceptance.

The Pervasive Influence of Social Media on Teenagers

The near-ubiquitous presence of smartphones has fundamentally reshaped the way teenagers interact with the world. A vast majority of teenagers possess smartphones, granting them constant access to a multitude of social media platforms. This constant connectivity has led to a paradigm shift, where social media has become a primary channel for communication, entertainment, and information consumption for young people (Allen et al., 2014). The pervasiveness of social media in teenagers' lives manifests in several key ways. The first is the frequency of use. Therefore, as highlighted by Office of the Surgeon General (2023), there are possible neurodevelopmental alterations related to social media and the use of specific mobile application/s that are linked to distinct changes in the amygdala which is significant in learning and emotional behaviours in addition to the prefrontal cortex that is important in moderating behaviours, regulating emotions, and controlling impulses, therefore increasing the sensitivity to social rewards and punishments. This is because the joys and otherwise that are typical to youth may put adolescents in a sensitive position in handling the communicative and interactive aspects of social media.

However, it worth to understand that adverse impact of social media for children and adolescents is multifaceted and depends on their capacity to adapt to media environment and staggered by social risks and beneficial factors related with cultural and historical developments and socio-economic conditions of their communities (Beyens et al. 2020). There is no doubt, teenagers arrive at social media sites with a set of psychological characteristics. Teenagers with high self-esteem may not feel the impact of the negative aspects of New Social Media such as the maintenance of the thin image or the criticism that the New Media offer to the target audience, in contrast, low self-esteem teenagers may get influenced by such aspects. On the other hand, teen with preexisting anxiety or social issues, the young people could become at risk of falling a prey to the dangers or pressures of online communication (Naslund et al., 2020). A teenager too is in a very vulnerable state psychologically if he/she is suffering from depression/ anxiety, use of social media would only worsen the situation for him/her in case he/she has to face cyber bullying or social comparison.

Teenagers around the globe are constantly involved in the social media due to the changes in the social culture and the general societal norms. In some cultures, there may be a question of the availability of technological and social tools, and, therefore, the manner and frequency that teens use these tools (Manago & McKenzie 2022). The five cultural dimensions as elaborated by Hofstede may suggest that some cultures provide a better online environment since people in some cultures place so much importance on collectivism, social order, and obedience that social media may act as a uniting force for the culture. It is believed that if the general culture of that particular people is promoting togetherness and kinship, this will post positive social relations in cyberspace, but if the culture expects people to be competitive and handsome, then one is likely

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to post poor experiences in cyberspace as well (Yang et al., 2023). As much as that, drawing on reinforcement theory, Yang et al. (2023) believed that the negative impact of social media may be further amplified by cultures that advocate for individualism and aesthetics.

The young people of today’s society can be classified as the ‘digital natives’ – generation that has never known life devoid of computer and internet technology. This pushes the generational context such that it suggests they are more obtrusive in the digital environment in a way that shapes both identity and thinking of their social relations as compared to past generations (Naslund et al., 2020). Investigating the article titled “Adolescent development and growing divides in the digital age” Odgers and Jensen (2020), they opined that adolescents are devoting more time to devices more than they devote their time to schools. For instance, American teens on average spend 6 hours and 18 minutes using media per day and this can be well utilized to create awareness. With things like TV, video games, social media, and streaming videos, children today spend an average of 5 hours daily on digital entertainment media not including time spent online doing school work (Odgers & Jensen, 2020). The changing social media platforms make the next generation of teenagers encounter social media in ways that are different from their previous counterparts due to the ever-changing types of platforms and the ever-introducing elements into the social media scene.

Therefore, youth from privileged background may be able to access safer online environments and might have parents to guide them concerning social media convolutions (Wang & Xing, 2018). On the other hand, teenagers from a low-income group of families could potentially be in a less favorable position when using technology where they could be subjected to more negative encounters in cyberspace like bullying or exposure to improper content (Wang & Xing, 2018). Likewise, parental mediation and awareness influences teenagers’ usage of social networking sites and applications in a substantial manner. Parents with more income may offer more support in proactively teaching the kids how to use these social media platforms appropriately (Odgers & Jensen, 2020). Proverbs 22:6 (NIV) says “start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it.” The situation when teenagers are exposed to the social network usage might be considered rather problematic and thus parents, in general, might be better prepared to find the ways and means for proper teenage usage of Internet invented tools starting with proper technical provisions including Internet providing devices, starting with parents’ control of their children’s Internet usage, starting with special programs for that purpose or starting with special Internet safety workshops.

Impact of Social Media on Teenagers Psychological Well-being

An important topic is the potential adverse effects of social media on mental health. Based on a survey of 12-15 year-old Americans that comprehensively evaluated, when adolescents spent more than 3 hours on social media, the probability of negative mental health consequences, such as depression and anxiety, is many times higher (Katella, 2024). A highly important factor to take into account is the daily dosing of carefully crafted and tailored glimpses of other people’s lives, seen through Instagram and similar. It can result in low self-esteem because teenagers may weigh themselves in comparison to images and life issues posted online which may crawl into perfectionism. They will be under pressure to fit the above culture norms of beauty, gain the unquestionable attention, and be affirmed through likes.

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Social media algorithms are built to promote whatever you seem interested in. These algorithms operate by analyzing a multitude of user data points, including past interactions, likes, shares, comments, and search history (Brady, 2023). It is through this analysis that the algorithm builds a comprehensive profile of a user's interests and proclivities. This user profile then dictates the content that is displayed in their feed, prioritizing posts and information that aligns with the established interests. In other words, on the one hand, the algorithm focuses on such content that has better chances of being viewed by the audience while on the other, such content that may not be engaging enough is pushed to the background (Brady, 2023). Although maintaining such users’ engagement is perfectly beneficial, it can result in the creation of an echo chamber, which is a context or perception that a person only gets exposed to information or opinions that are consistent with their own biases (BBC, 2024). If a teen search for any kind of mental health condition, for instance, depression or suicide, then the algorithm will direct them to read about such things, and so soon, they will start perceiving that everyone around them is depressed if not thinking of suicide, which is not healthy for the student’s mental health (Katella, 2024).

Moreover, social media has unfortunately created fertile ground for the insidious issue of cyberbullying. According to Alim (2016), cyberbullying, characterized by the use of electronic communication to harass, intimidate, or embarrass a victim, thrives on the very features that define social media platforms. Unlike traditional bullying, which often occurs in a confined physical space, cyberbullying can spread instantaneously and reach a vast audience. Negative comments, rumors, or personal attacks can be widely shared with a few clicks, inflicting significant distress on the victim. Besides, the constant connectivity of social media platforms exacerbates the impact of cyberbullying on mental health (Alim, 2016). The victim cannot escape the harassment, as it permeates their online and potentially offline lives. Teenagers, especially vulnerable to peer pressure and social acceptance, can be deeply affected by the negativity and cruelty experienced online. In essence, social media has transformed cyberbullying from a localized issue into a pervasive threat to mental well-being. The very features that promote connection and communication can be weaponized to inflict harm, low self-esteem, feelings of hopelessness, and even suicidal ideation.

Despite those negative impacts of social media on mental health, there are potential positive impacts on mental health like social support and self-expression. As stated by Office of the Surgeon General (2023), it is possible that social media offers certain pros for some youths in that it creates the social community that indicates both identity and interest. It can open some knowledge and give a person the opportunity to share something important (Bekalu, McCloud & Viswanath, 2020). Positive social relatedness recognized by the Youth: A number of benefits arising from the use of social media by the youth include; The youthful individuals can develop friendships online and social relations (Beyens et al., 2020). It is in these relationships it is possible to have positive influences with more diverse sets of peers than is possible for them, offline and can offer significant social support to youths.

Impact of Social Media on Teenagers Social Behavior

On the positive side, the social media help users to find channels through which they could connect or communicate Bohn, 2021). It provides teenagers with areas where they can fit in and find others who have same hobbies or interests and an opportunity to express themselves

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in online space which is very beneficial for personal development of their identities (Allen et al., 2014). Social media also aids communication that is, direct and intuitive over the same geography as well. As opposed to conventional models with restrictions linked to distance and time that 2.5 limited possibilities, these platforms are an organic an unobtrusive tool for overcoming distances (Bohn, 2021). Friends and families who might have moved to different homes within the same city, town or even a different country, can easily be reached them by the teenagers. This aptitude of being able to maintain intimate ties, even when they are geographically distant, creates a feel of togetherness and being part of a group (Bekalu et al., 2020). In addition, social media is not restricted to people’s acquaintances; they reach beyond the actors’ immediate social circles. Public interests can bring hope and when using telecommunications, an opportunity to make new friends as teenagers from different parts of the world might indulge in similar interests (Manjunatha, 2013). It offers opportunities to embrace changes and discover other people and ways of thinking in the world. For that matter, social media has made the world a global village in the sense that developing relationships between teenagers and everyone else has been made very manageable than ever before.

To young people, who could experience the necessity of maintaining their status in accordance with the expectations of society, online communication is relatively more anonymous as well as less risky than real-life contacts. Such a formulation of demands as expectations to conform may be challenging for people as it applies pressure to those who tend to be introverted or suffer from anxiety during social interactions (Bohn, 2021). In this case, teenagers can freely chat and make statements that can otherwise be refunded to them regarding their nature and location or feedback given by other people if the conversation was held in person (Bekalu et al., 2020). They can choose what aspects of themselves to present, potentially mitigating the anxiety associated with being judged for their appearance, interests, or social awkwardness.

It is mightily helpful to be able to seek some consolation from strangers, especially for those teenagers who struggle with mental disorders or have no friends in real life. For example, forums for teenagers suffering from conditions like depression, anxiety, or those who undergone through some specific occurrences in their life, like the loss of a close one, give adolescents the feeling of inclusion and empathy which they may fail to receive in their day to day lives. These communications offer certain levels of anonymity for teens that facilitate more openness than they would be comfortable with during talking to them directly, thus making interaction with friends can be more frank and meaningful (Veselsk et al., 2023). It enables a support network for them. This backing structure can indeed be very crucial the their mental and emotional health needs because it provides timely reinforcement and addresses feelings of loneliness and isolation.

Furthermore, thanks to the account creation on existing social networks, teenagers gained more extensive coverage of information that contributes to the development of compassion and cultural sensitivity. Instagram, X, and TikTok, for instance, give users a glimpse into how people live, what they think, feel, and do in corners of the world they may have never seen before. This exposure not only makes the teenagers more open to the concept of diversity, but it also exposes them to the subject in a much wider way. This is something that may be contradiction because, as stated in a study conducted by Purboningsih et al. (2023) 46% of teenagers who use social media claimed that this allows them to develop a perceptive of people who are different from themselves. Thus, following influencers, activists, friends, and fellow teenagers, who are either

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from another culture or living in another country, is an opportunity to learn about the peculiarities of their interaction with the world.

Nonetheless, use of social media especially by the teenagers is likely to transform the way teenagers communicate. For instance, the use social media has greatly changed the aspect of face-to-face communication among teenagers (Bekalu, McCloud & Viswanath, 2020). Given the continuous availability and privacy of the messenger applications and social networks, a growing number of adolescents prefer digital contact rather than face-to-face communication. Spontaneous face-to-face communication may also pose difficulties to teenagers who are used to the abbreviations and emoticons typical for Internet messages and social networking sites (Manjunatha, 2013). This shift can minimize avenues for practicing the verbal and non-verbal communication skills learnt in class. Face-to-face communication can suffer when teenagers start to lose their excellent skills to interpret body language, facial expressions, and tone of voice. This kind of communication also has a disadvantage where more emphasis is on writing since the body language and physical presence of the speaker is not conveyed.

One of the social impact of social media among teenagers and youth is the social skills development aspect. Face-to-face communication is an essential skill that teenagers receive in their peer groups, such as empathy, conflict solving, or team work. Specifically, Chasombat (2014) posited that because many interactions on social media are fleeting and primarily concerned with projecting an identity, there may be limited opportunities to develop these skills. Although social media increases people’s chances of interacting with other people, such chances are promulgated in brief and shallow manners. Based on Bekalu, McCloud and Viswanath (2020), while indulging in hashtag wars rewards timely reactions, likes, and comments, it encourages amount-based evaluation of social interactions. This environment may hamper the first constructions of social skills that are implied in empathy, active listening and conflict solving (Chasombat, 2014). Additionally, because interactions that occur online are more anonymous and distant than face-to-face interactions, they can provide the impetus for negative behaviors like bullying and harassment, thus adding more problems to social skills’ improvement.

Through the social media platforms, youths are able to build real life relationships too. Although these platforms may indeed build and sustain connections online and across distinct geographical location, it cannot replace tangible, close human interactions (Manjunatha, 2013). Real-life dynamics involve time, experiences, and bodily interaction, which are elements that cannot be clearly observed in an online romance. Despite the positive effects possessed by social media, it also poses several challenges including; it results in social isolation and the creation of unrealistic expectations of relationships as the media users may only display the best side of them or the lives they are leading (Bohn, 2021). This can create false expectations of what the individual is like in reality based on the altered online presence, causing disappointment upon further interaction. Also, it can be stated that the openness of social media platforms makes it easier for users to find and interact with other users as compared to real life, which can mean that users invest less time and effort in the management of real life relationships (Allen et al., 2014). There is less pressure in social media interactions and could take a breather from the elliptical of real-world interactions and concrete social skills needed for tangible face-to-face interactions for an effective creation of deep wellspring of long-lasting friendship (Bekalu, McCloud & Viswanath, 2020).

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In addition, social media's addictive nature fuels the negative effect on one’s social life. The constant pressure to check notifications, respond to messages, and keep up with the online world can morph into excessive screen time, displacing real-life interactions and activities Bohn, 2021). According to a Ricardson (2015), teenagers feel pressured to make themselves available 24/7, and the resulting anxiety if they did not respond immediately to texts or posts. This detachment from the offline world can then lead to feelings of loneliness and social anxiety, further intensifying the need for the very online validation and connection that fuels the addiction in the first place.

Additionally, online interactions weaken familial bonds and diminish the quality of time spent with family. Family play a crucial role in a teenager's development, providing emotional support, guidance, and belonging (Ding, 2024). When teenagers prioritize social media over family interactions, it can lead to a breakdown in communication and a feeling of disconnection within the family. Ephesians 6:1-3 highlights the importance of honoring and maintaining strong relationships with one's parents, essential for a healthy family life: "Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. 'Honor your father and mother' which is the first commandment with a promise' so that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth.'" Many teenagers have found themselves at a crossroads with their parents as a result of the pervasive social use thus going against this commandment that has a promise.

Impact of Social Media on Teenagers Religious Behavior

Social media can expose teenagers to diverse religious views and communities. What was not available to teenagers before the social media appeared was the open door to practicing religious activities online. When interacting online, teenagers should be guided by the principles of Matthew 25:14-30 (NIV) and use social media in a way that aligns with their faith values and to spread messages of hope, kindness, and their faith. Social media is a powerful tool help the faith communities be connected both online with other similar believers all in the equal beliefs that they hold. In the current society, Becker (2021) points out that virtual religious groups allow members to be connected since they interact in a way that builds, maintains, and even deepens their faith; as well as support one another by providing guidance and comfort in matters of morality and emotions. Teenagers can also be able to engage in debates, come with their horror stories, or seek advice from their peers and even the community. It also enables them increase interactions with the religious authority and with other members of the faith when they are geographically distant from others of their kind.

Participation in online religious groups greatly helped the teenagers for their spiritual development. They can be part of discussion forums and forums that addresses different religious topics, listen to sermons, read religious literature, and anything that is religious that can enhance their understanding and faith (Johnson, 2023). For instance, through social media platforms such as YouTube, Facebook and other applications, youngsters get to witness religious activities such as services and other religious related activities without moving from the comfort of their homes through live streaming. This accessibility makes it possible for teenagers to adhere to their religious beliefs and therefore continue with their spiritual transition commission despite barriers such as physical ones. Furthermore, to be integrated with others who provide encouragement for those habits and beliefs can help modify desirable behavior and enhance upright character.

Additional to genuine religious needs, other needs of growth – emotional and psychological – are also met by these virtual religious communities. During individual or societal

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struggles, these communities provide solace and direction on what to look forward, to and do next (Koburtay et al., 2023). For example, due to limitations amid the COVID-19 outbreak, numerous adolescents sought spiritual and counseling supports through social media platforms and the Internet. The thought of being able to pray with one another, to have others know what you are going through in life, and to get words of comfort can greatly reduce feelings of loneliness and anxiety. This can be supported by the biblical principle of bearing one another’s burden in order to encourage teenagers to have a safe and supportive environment to help them through their teenage years.

Another instance of social media usage that has contributed a positive change to teenagers is in the availability and access to religious content; thus, teenagers are able to interact with their religion on a daily basis. Some of the platforms provide countless religious teachings, sermons, and discussions which Teenagers can easily get any time they want. As pointed out by Evolvi (2021) youth is now participating in religious groups and spirituality by finding other religious leaders and people from different geographical regions that they use as resources to enhance their spiritual journey. Online platforms such as the YouTube, Facebook among other social media, are filled with live stream services and recorded sermons and teachings from churches around the world which the teenagers can watch and engage in worship and religious classes online, from the comfort of their homes.

It also enables young people to receive religious content on social media platforms and deeper their understanding of their faith. They can choose various points of view and possibilities as to how religious books may be read and can use this as enrichment and spiritual progression (Kraner, 2023). For instance, teenagers can use social media to access expert religious accounts, engage with communities and pages that post theological content, and watch congregation-friendly videos that make it easier for them to understand certain doctrines. This is particularly in the context of the concept of pursuing knowledge and understanding as an important part of the development of the human character.

Advancements in knowledge of religious beliefs, acceptable norms, and values, made by youth through the use of social media also encourage teenagers to engage actively in religious debates and groups, thus promoting a sense of purposeful belonging. Living in an online community, teenagers can freely explore and ask questions, comment on some points, and get advice from friends or other experienced users. Regarding the interactional characteristic of social media, this might strengthen their religious selves and motivate them to practice their faith on a regular basis as Kraner (2023) pointed out. In this regard, practicing religions in the online communities, teenagers have the chance of gaining support that enable them to effectively practice their faith.

However, the application of social media moreover has brought a range of chances for interreligious dialogue, through which individuals from Jewish, Christian, and Muslim beliefs can freely discuss and develop tolerance between each other. I know it sounds corny, but these online forums enable people of different religion to engage with one another and embrace the concepts of tolerance and compassion. Marshall (2021) appreciates that through the social media networks, youth Interaction across varying cultures and religious beliefs makes the society more tolerant. Additionally, social media as such as X and Instagram promote the holding of interfaith discussions wherein teenagers can express personal beliefs, opinions, and learn about other religious practices and vales. People should listen to different religions, and understand the principles, thus eradicating prejudices, therefore the prayer of Jesus in the context of loving one’s neighbor as one loves oneself is important.

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Young Christians and those from other denominations should use social networks to find friends of different beliefs and discuss religious topics in order to expand their knowledge and gain better understanding of one’s faith and limits. These are the things that teenagers can achieve by becoming active participants of these conversations: First, it helps to dispel common myths and stereotypes with regard to the given topic (Marshall, 2021); second, it provides an opportunity to establish a united community based on respect. It assists them in learning and engaging and makes them wiser in their faith as they pursue lifelong enlightenment. It increases their religious commitment and, as a result, improves their cultural understanding and ability to engage other people, which is crucial if we consider the growing internationalization of communities.

Another problem related to social networks is fake news, which is quite relevant given teenagers’ demand for religious information. In most cases, as they engage more hours in the internet usage as teenagers, they are more likely to come across misleading religious material. This misinformation only serves to compound misconceptions that Non-Sunni Muslims have about their religion. For instance, some teenagers have stopped practicing religion as they believed it was wrong based on maybe interpretation of religious texts given to them or being told that some unpopular view is mainstream. Zaman (2023) affirms that corrupt influences affecting teenagers have disrupted the basics believed through family and community contacts by providing incorrect religious information and has therefore given teenagers an inadequate understanding of their faith.

Sadly, unjustified beliefs are given birth by the social media platforms in most cases, as they rarely hold accurate checks. This is caused by pop-culture icons and intellectuals, who lack theological education, but act as teachers and mislead their youth followers. According to the study conducted by Louis and Mohamed in 2024, 60% of the teenagers actively come across religious content on social media though a major chunk of this content is not filtered. This results to adoption of unrealistic beliefs for instance an author may come up with a religious fanaticism credo or he may advance a religious tenet that is an absolute invention. It not only produces confusion among teenage groups, but also brings a wrong perception among groups from same religion.

Through staying connected with friends, teenagers are presented with various religious ideas, which creates anxiety and questions teenagers’ beliefs. Online forums are active with discussions where people of different faith stand and speak different religion and divorce on the same issue (Shamim, 2024). For the teenage participants, who are in a state of searching their beliefs and affirming their faith, this kind of exposure is disorienting and destabilizing. This research reveals that teens often come across multiple opposing religious material on social media platforms, and this confuses them, causing them to waver in their faith. This environmental pressure of having all these counter messages and attitudes has caused them to experience confusion thus raising questions on their faith.

The issues highlighted here are magnified in social media because in any case someone is bound to create a controversy over an issue or a news story. Teenagers may be involved in discussions and may get the feeling of actively defending oneself to be superior to the aggressive criticism (Shamim, 2024). Due to less face to face conversational skills the scores keep rising and the conflict escalates to a level where it was not intended to be. Another study conducted by Kraner in 2023 revealed that the youth come to the social platform to watch religious content and the majority of them end up struggling with their faith. Such surroundings can negatively

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influence a teenager, as they can develop doubts about their own opinion and become lonely because of it, as if their faith is being attacked constantly.

The context of use of social media also permits stereotyped and even fake religiosity with little to no connection to one’s personality. Teenagers are the most vulnerable in this regard since they are social beings who spend much of their time on the social media platforms where religion enjoys a bite size media diet in form of snippets, soft news, images, and video clips (Oki 2023). These formats trivialize religion and reduce it to simplified messages, something that does not befit the depth and sophistication of religious doctrines. For example, complicated notions, such as theological principles, may be illustrated with certain themes, thus giving a false picture of faith. Some research findings have indicated that high usage on SNS in getting religious education has detrimental effects such that the young people will not have deeper understanding of religious principles and values but rather a surface understanding of them.

In this form of Christianity, people remain at the surface level of the faith, and they are denied the maturity of the faith that enables them to stand firm in their beliefs. Social media sites aim at captivating and clickable content which, in many cases, leads to active discussion over values equality and/or controversies rather than thorough and mature debate. Consequently, youths will exhibit religious prolificacy which will involve identifying with religious measures such as sharing religious inspirational messages or participating in religious online meetings without internalizing the religious beliefs in a productive way. Shamim (2024) states that this has led to a kind of religiosity that is thus more about the demonstration of religiosity in the presumed public sphere than about genuinely held belief. This exposure keeps the teenager or even any young adult clueless between what is real religious teachings and what is just for the show.

The bedrock ideas of the Bible therefore highly cherish godliness when practiced with sincerity and genuine passion. In Matthew 6:1 NIV, Jesus said, ‘Do not let your right hand know what your left hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees everything, will reward you.’ This verse is a moral paradox that serves to discourage people from performing righteous deeds in order to be noticed by others. When teenagers encourage themselves to search for the meaningful meaning behind their religious beliefs, it will be possible to overcome the consequences of the given social networking sites that ell superficiality.

Religious ideology and religious identity confusion through religious exposure on social media have also contributed to constant exposure to different religious beliefs hence causing major religious identity confusion among the teenagers making them have a weak foundation for religious convictions. It is evident that religion precedes virtually all the social platforms with different religious beliefs and practices appealing neatly packaged and persuasive. As it was mentioned teenagers are in the process of developing their own perspective and understanding and that is why they experience difficulty when it comes to circulation of an enormous amount of religious information (Kraner, 2023). This exposure leads to a form of doubtful belief since practitioners come across different versions and forms of practice that do not tally with the expected norm. The Bible warns against the temptations of the world and the dangers of false idols. Matthew 6:24 says: “No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.”

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Role of Parents, Religious Leaders, and Educators

Parents, religious leaders as well as educators spend a substantial amount of time with the youth either at home, church or at school. Just as humanity is called upon to discern between right and wrong, teenagers must be guided on how to responsibly navigate the complexities of social media. In this regard, they have a special role to play in promoting responsible digital citizenship and a healthy integration of social media within a strong foundation of faith. Ephesians 6:4 (NIV): "Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord." Ephesians 6:4 emphasizes the need for "training and instruction," which can involve teaching teenagers critical thinking skills, online safety practices, and ethical considerations when using social media platforms. Teenager must be guided on how to use social media for their own benefit and bypass all the negative impacts associated with the rise of social media used among this demographic. A recent Harvard study by Bekalu, McCloud and Viswanath (2020) concluded that routine use is not likely a problem in and of itself, and in fact can be beneficial, especially for young people. Bekalu, McCloud and Viswanath (2020) recommend that adults proactively help youngsters become “mindful users” of social media, and that behavioral interventions be used to develop effortful control skills such as self-regulation skills for those youngsters who have already developed an unhealthy relationship with social media

Conclusion

From a theological standpoint, the dual nature of social media presents both opportunities and challenges for teenagers' psychological health, and social and religious behavior. Social media has the potential to facilitate connections with friends, family, and religious communities as well as a sense of self-expression and belonging. On the other hand, overuse of social media can exacerbate mental health issues such as depression and anxiety. In terms of religion, social media platforms can be a source of religious exploration and connection, but they can also obscure fundamental religious principles and divert attention from more conventional forms of worship. These results, along with a theological viewpoint, indicate that social media's dual nature has to be handled with caution and judgment. The Bible places a strong emphasis on exercising good stewardship over one's possessions and behavior (Matthew 25:14-30). Teens should be urged to use caution while consuming and sharing content on social media, making sure that it is in line with their faith values. By fostering discernment, self-discipline, and a focus on genuine community and faith practices, parents, educators, and religious leaders can guide teenagers to navigate the digital landscape in a way that supports their overall well-being and spiritual growth. In doing so, teenagers can learn to use social media as a tool for good, reflecting their faith in all aspects of their lives, both online and offline.

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