Is the usage of social media contributing to more and more people in our society becoming unhappy? Humans are social beings, which means that we thrive off the feeling of companionship and a sense of belonging within our communities and through other connections we make. The strength of these connections can have a large impact on our mental health and overall happiness. Since the introduction of social media and the internet, many pros and cons have come to light relating to this question. With the number of social networks and people joining social media constantly increasing, it is important to know how this impacts our well being, especially mentally.
On One Hand:
- Social media has led to an easy, worldwide way of communicating with others
- The ability to instantly connect with anyone can reinforce a sense of community and belonging which is an important need to us.
- It can provide people with a platform to express themselves in many different ways
- Allows people to reach out to communities that align with their identities and values, which ultimately contribute to mental health in a positive way.
On the Other:
- Social media creates an opportunity for constant exposure to idealized versions of people you may know, or may never see face to face in your life
- The pressure and stress that comes with maintaining an online image can lead to unhealthy comparisons of yourself to others, along with feelings of anxiety and lowered self-esteem.
- Increased online activity has led to a more sedentary lifestyle for many
- Social media also restrains the amount of face to face relationships one has and other real world experiences, which can have large negative effect on mental/physical heath.
This is a question everyone that uses social media should ask themselves. Most people would probably say something like "To keep in touch with friends and family" or "For information and news", but there are many underlying factors many people do not consider.
Such as:
- The Fear of Missing Out(FOMO) -Checking our phones and social feed consistently actively fuels anxiety that we are missing out on events, experiences or trends. This fear of being left out tends to result in people using their devices more in order to see what others are doing.
- Social Validation or Approval From Others - Humans naturally crave approval because being accepted by a group has been the key factor in our specie's success. Social media provides a platform to enable this through followers, likes and comments. Constantly comparing yourself to others based on these categories can harm mental health.
- Algorithm Directed Content - The algorithms behind social media platforms and apps are specially designed to bring you back. They track everything you do from your preferences, interactions with others, and even how long you watch certain videos. These algorithms auto play content that is designed to interest you, which promotes heavily addictive behaviors and can harm you in many ways.
Depression and social media addiction have been mental issues humans have been facing and trying to prevent for years. While there are almost 5 billion people using media platforms, more than 280 million people have depressive symptoms and around 210 million struggle with addiction to social media and the internet. Many of the points listed above contribute deeply as to why people are becoming more depressed and addicted.
These apps, websites and other platforms are specifically designed for people to want more. With each like, comment or share you receive, there is a release of dopamine which creates a reward seeking cycle, further leading to addictive actions. Pair this with constant negative comparisons of yourself and other feelings like FOMO, and you have thousands of people taking in hours of harmful content without them even knowing.
Limiting the amount of screen time you spend on your phone, laptop or other devices can decrease the negative effects these platforms have on mental well being. Some ways to do this include:
- Turn off non-essential notifications - Constantly seeing notifications pop up can create feelings of anxiety as well as a need to continuously check your device.
- Set time limits on apps through the device settings - By doing this, you can create boundaries that reduce the urge to scroll and allows you to prioritize experiences offline.
- Phone Free time before bed -Putting your phone down at least an hour before you go to bed can increase your overall well being. Reducing the amount of blue light taken in and allowing your brain to unwind and relax can result in increased mental clarity and health, along with longer and better sleep.
Sources
- https://health.ucdavis.edu/blog/cultivating-health/social-medias-impact-our-mental-health-and-tips-to-use-it-safely/2024/05
- https://health.ucdavis.edu/blog/cultivating-health/3-ways-getting-outside-into-nature-helps-improve-your-health/2023/05
- https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/social-media-and-depression
- https://childmind.org/article/is-social-media-use-causing-depression/
- https://www.mcleanhospital.org/essential/it-or-not-social-medias-affecting-your-mental-health
- https://www.helpguide.org/mental-health/wellbeing/social-media-and-mental-health
- https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/explore-mental-health/a-z-topics/physical-activity-and-mental-health#:~:text=Physical%20activity%20is%20not%20only,us%20can%20do%20for%20free!
- https://www.lanierlawfirm.com/social-media-addiction/statistics/#:~:text=The%20average%20person%20spends%20two,can%20literally%20rewire%20their%20brains.
- https://www.simplypsychology.org/maslow.html
- https://nypost.com/2023/06/19/number-of-teens-who-dont-enjoy-life-has-doubled-with-social-media/