AI, Social Media, and the Quiet Mental Health Crisis No One’s Talking About

Artificial intelligence is everywhere now — in our phones, our feeds, and even in the content we scroll past every day.

For teens and young athletes growing up in this environment, the pressure to look perfect or perform flawlessly has only intensified. Cheerleaders especially face a constant wave of comparison, curated highlight reels, and now… AI-generated “perfection.”

But what is all of this actually doing to our mental health?

1. The Rise of AI-Perfected Images

AI-enhanced photos and filters can make anyone look airbrushed, flawless, and sculpted in seconds.

And while that might sound harmless, here’s what really happens:

• Teens begin comparing their real faces to AI-enhanced versions.

• Cheerleaders compare their bodies to AI-edited “ideal” ones.

• Athletes feel pressure to look like something that literally doesn’t exist.

It’s not just unrealistic — it’s unachievable.

2. Performance Pressure in Cheer

Cheer already comes with intense pressure:

• Skills have to be perfect.

• Coaches expect consistency.

• Social media showcases only the “best reps,” never the fails.

Now add AI on top of that.

Suddenly the “standard” gets even farther from reality.

And when you’re 12, 13, 14 years old?

That pressure hurts.

3. The “Always On” Feeling

With AI tools in Reels, TikTok, and Instagram:

• Kids feel like they must always appear polished.

• Mistakes feel like they’ll be judged more harshly.

• The idea of being “off” or “real” is almost scary.

It chips away at confidence — quietly, subtly, but constantly.

4. What Parents Should Know

Most cheer moms already see the effects:

• Mood swings after scrolling

• Comments about body image

• Comparing themselves to online edits

• Feeling “not good enough”

This isn’t drama.

It’s a mental health issue.

AI isn’t bad.

But how it’s used — and how kids interpret it — matters.

5. How We Can Help Our Athletes

We can’t stop AI, but we can support our kids:

• Remind them that edited images aren’t real.

• Celebrate the process, not just the perfect rep.

• Encourage breaks from scrolling.

• Talk openly about how social media makes them feel.

• Praise effort, kindness, teamwork — not just appearance or skills.

And most importantly:

Teach them that being real will always matter more than being perfect.

6. AI Should Be a Tool — Not a Comparison Standard

AI can be fun.

It can spark creativity.

It can be helpful.

But it should never replace confidence, authenticity, or personal identity — especially for young athletes whose self-esteem is still forming.

Our kids deserve to feel good about who they are, not who an app says they should be.