In today’s digital age, teenagers are more connected than ever, with platforms such as YouTube, Tiktok, Instagram, and Snapchat become integral parts of their daily routine. While these platforms help people connect people, they also come a group of challenges for teenage mental health. Increasing concerns about anxiety and depression among teenagers have been linked to excessive social media use, indicating exploration in the alternative copy mechanism. Such an approach is art therapy, which provides a creative outlet to teenagers to navigate their feelings and reduce stress.

Social media influence on teenage mental health

Recent studies have explained the intensive effects of social media on teenagers. According to the “Teens, Social Media and Technology 2024” report of the Pew Research Center, about half of American teenagers (46 percent) reports are almost continuously online, a significant increase in previous years. This bounce in online appearance is related to anxiety and increased feelings of depression. In particular, adolescents spending more than three hours daily on social media doubles the risk of experiencing mental health issues, including signs of depression and anxiety, as noted by the US Health and Human Services Department. A full online personality pressure to cure personality, consisting of the missing out (FOMO), can increase the feelings of insufficiency and isolation between teenagers.

What is art therapy?

Art therapy is a medical technique that uses the creative process of making art to improve mental health and welfare. Easy by professional art physicians, it allows people to express their thoughts and feelings non-verbally, which facilitates self-discovery and understanding. According to the American Art Therapy Association, this form of therapy can reduce anxiety, increase self -esteem, and promote emotional flexibility.

Benefits of art therapy for teenagers

For teenagers struggling with social media pressures, art therapy provides many benefits:

• Emotional expression: Art provides adolescents a safe place to express emotions, which can be difficult to clarify orally, assisting in the processing of complex emotions.
• Loss of stress: Being engaged in creative activities has a calm effect, which helps in reducing the level of stress and anxiety. A study published in the Journal of the American Art Therapy Association found that the 45 -minute creative activity significantly reduced the level of cortisol among the participants, a marker of stress.
• Adopted self-esteem: Completing art projects can create a sense of achievement, promote confidence and self-values. The American Art Therapy Association notes that art therapy promotes self-esteem and self-awareness.
• Better social skills: Group art medical sessions encourage cooperation and communication, promoting the spirit of community and related. Leslie University’s research of Group Art Therapy and A Community Engagement Art Show through Leslian University “Unified Co-Art: Empowerment and Cooperation has highlighted how group art medical can enhance colleague relations between students.

Implementation of art therapy in digital age

Technology-love teenagers require an innovative approach to add art therapy:

• Digital Art Platform: Using apps and software allowing for digital manufacture can make art therapy more accessible and can make attractive for adolescents accustomed to digital interfaces.
• Hybrid session: In-parson and virtual art therapy can provide flexibility, adjusting different schedules and comfort levels.
• Including social media: Encouraging teenagers to share their artwork on social media can turn these platforms into places of positive reinforcement and self-expression, combat negative online experiences.

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