Blue Ticks: The Hidden Cause of Stress in Teenagers

A recent study published in the Elsevier journal Telematics and Informatics has shed light on a previously unknown cause of stress among teenagers: digital media use. Specifically, the researchers found that features such as 'like' buttons and 'seen-function' can have a significant impact on adolescents' mental health.

The study, conducted by Joris Van Ouytsel from Arizona State University, revealed that many teenagers experience at least one type of digital stress. The main culprit? The pressure to be constantly available online. With the constant notifications from social media and messaging apps, it's no wonder why teens feel like they need to respond quickly to their friends' messages.

But it's not just the pressure to respond that's causing anxiety. The study found that teenagers also expect their friends to respond promptly, going so far as to 'stalk' friends who take too long to reply by sending them a message via a different app. This trend is known as 'availability stress', and it's having a negative effect on the mental health of young teenagers.

One feature in particular has been identified as exacerbating this problem: read receipts. WhatsApp's blue ticks, which let users know exactly when their message has been read, may seem like a harmless innovation, but for some, they can be a source of stress and anxiety. The pressure to respond promptly creates a sense of obligation, leading to feelings of overwhelm and frustration.

But it's not just WhatsApp that's guilty of promoting read receipts. All major social media and messaging apps, including Facebook, Messenger, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn, Snapchat, iMessage, Google Messenger, Telegram, and Signal, provide some form of notification when a message has been seen.

It's time to rethink our relationship with digital media and the role it plays in our mental health. By being more mindful of our online habits and the stress they may be causing, we can take steps towards reducing availability stress and promoting a healthier, happier online community.

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