As the holiday season kicks off, social media plays a significant role in how people allocate their time and attention, drawing audiences to share and celebrate their festive moments — or escape them.
The online holiday buzz grows louder every year, filling feeds with photos of family gatherings and gift exchanges. For some, it’s a source of joy and connection — an easy way to share the season’s excitement. For others, the nonstop stream of curated moments can heighten comparison or pull attention away from the people right in front of them.
“It’s cool to get to see that realm in the holiday spirit of people posting everything. I like getting to see that,” said Emily van Sebille, a teacher at Carlmont High School. “I feel like it adds a slight connection because I’m getting new ideas and seeing more. Still, it’s different than how it is for teens.”
As social media becomes increasingly integrated into daily life, its influence extends even to family-centered holidays. Jordan Gillman, a sales and marketing executive for media companies and founder of Hundred Percent, noted that younger users usually experience the season differently.
“The younger generation may feel a lot of pressure around their family, and to disconnect, the theory is that they’re spending more time on TikTok,” Gillman said.
A teenager’s perspective further illustrates Gillman’s claim. Isla Chang, a sophomore at Carlmont High School, shared her experiences with social media over the holidays.
“I know that some people like to use Instagram as a mental escape during the holidays, because some people get worried, like, what if what I received wasn’t good, and they’re embarrassed to share. It’s like they just want to compare themselves to others,” Chang said.
In past generations, social media wasn’t a significant part of everyday life, let alone the holiday season. Chang noted that family gatherings were typically filled with face-to-face conversations, shared meals, and moments of undivided attention. Today, however, the constant presence of social media has changed the way people engage with one another. Having instant access to online platforms can sometimes lead to shorter attention spans and reduced presence in real-life interactions. Experts such as Gillman emphasize the importance of setting boundaries with technology during the holidays, encouraging families to put their devices aside and fully experience the warmth, connection, and meaning of the season.
“Holidays are when I spend the most time with my family because I’m home all day, or I’m out doing fun activities or vacationing with them. When I easily get distracted by a TikTok notification or just the urge to scroll through stories and videos, I guess it kind of disrupts my family dynamic and takes away time I could be talking to them,” Chang said.
Despite the addictive pull that social media often has — especially on teens — there’s also a brighter side to its influence. According to van Sebille, online platforms can encourage genuine connections, allowing people to share the joy, love, and togetherness that define the holiday season.
From exchanging festive photos to sending heartfelt messages across miles, social media can help bridge distances and make celebrations feel a little closer, even when loved ones are far apart.
“I think it is an enhancement in happiness, just because where I’m at in my life, I get to see all of my friends doing really cool stuff with their kids. And it’s really fun,” van Sebille said.
