In Chapter 6 of The Anxious Generation, Jonathan Haidt delves into the profound effects of social media on girls, who are particularly vulnerable to harmful comparisons with seemingly "perfect" women online. These women often use filters and apps to enhance their appearance, creating unrealistic standards of perfection that deeply impact young girls.
Girls are generally more susceptible than boys to social comparison and jealousy, which has contributed to a rise in cyberbullying. Platforms like Instagram have unfortunately given bullies a space to intimidate, shame, and troll others, leading to a tragic increase in suicides.
Social media companies flood adolescents with images of flawless bodies and idealised lives, prompting girls to gauge their self-worth based on the number of likes their pictures and posts receive. This relentless comparison can trigger anxiety, depression, and other mental health issues.
Haidt also examines the rise of psychogenic illnesses, the contagious nature of emotions within groups, and the way complex issues like Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID) and trauma have been reduced to hashtags—#DID and #Trauma—on social media.
Furthermore, Haidt highlights how men can exploit girls through coercion, violence, and manipulation, keeping them in a constant state of defence instead of discovery.
The more time adolescent girls spend on social media, the greater their risk of feeling lonely and developing anxiety and /or depression.
However, Haidt notes that taking a break from social media—even for just three weeks—can significantly improve mental health.
Check out this blog which was mentioned in the chapter! Freya India | Substack
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