DAYTON, Ohio ( WDTN ) – More than a quarter of teens in the U.S. are experiencing burnout due to pressures at school, home and on social media, according to a recent study.
Sara Konrath, associate professor at Indiana University, said 81 percent of teens surveyed for the study feel negative pressure with achievement, appearance and having a plan for the future.
“The kinds of pressures that you might you might expect to face a in a career is what kids are saying they’re facing today in just in their daily lives as students and maybe part time workers,” Konrath said.
Konrath conducted the research study with Common Sense Media and The Center for Digital Thriving at the Harvard Graduate School of Education. Over 1500 U.S. teens participated in the study.
Eight in 10 teens responded saying social media pressures them to look or behave a certain way. While 39-53% of teens say it’s a tool to release pressure, especially those who participate in online gaming.
“You can’t assume that all screen time is bad and we have to just listen to our young people and find out, help them, maybe guide them toward social media or screen use that makes them feel good and calm,” Konrath said.