The Impact of Social Media on Mental Health

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                                           The Impact of Social Media on Mental Health


Introduction:

In today's digital world, social media plays a huge and important role in our lives. People use social media platforms like WhatsApp, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, Snapchat, or TikTok. These Platforms have changed the way we interact, socialize, and share our lives. But at the same time, social media also has a hidden cost, which affects our mental health. In this blog, we will explore how social media affects our mental well-being, what is the role of psychology and what are the coping strategies to cope with challenges. 


Impact of social media on mental health:

The following are the negative impacts of social media on mental health:

  • Comparing with others:

Comparing ourselves to others is one of the most significant ways social media affects our mental health. When scrolling through a feed full of filtered images, everyday stories, and carefully curated content, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed and self-conscious. We compare our real, unprocessed lives to the perfect versions we see on social media.

  • Fear of Missing out (FOMO), Feelings of inadequacy and dissatisfaction:

Another psychological effect of social media is FOMO. FOMO stands for “fear of missing out.” When you see other people’s exciting experiences on social media, it can lead to feelings of loneliness and dissatisfaction. This constant pressure to be “in the crowd” can cause anxiety, depression, stress, and feelings of inadequacy.



  • Negative self-image, self-doubt:

              Excessive use of social media can lead to body image issues, especially among young people. Exposure to images of unrealistic beauty standards can promote feelings of dissatisfaction with one's appearance and low self-esteem. According to a 2018 research paper Trusted Source, several plastic surgeons say they’ve seen people asking to “look like a ‘filtered’ Snapchat picture” as a result of social media filters. In fact, “Snapchat dysphoria” is a condition in which people desperately want to look like the Snapchat version of themselves. (Ramphul & Mejias, 2018)

  • Lack of Real-World Social Connections:

Spending too much time on social media can lead to a lack of face-to-face social interaction, which is crucial to your mental health. This can lead to feelings of isolation, loneliness, depression, stress, anxiety, and mood swings.

  • Cyberbullying:

Cyberbullying is a form of online bullying that involves online harassment, hate speech, and other forms of abuse. Experiencing cyberbullying can have serious psychological and emotional effects.

  • Social media addiction and time-wasting:

            Social media is built to be addictive. If you spend too much time scrolling through feeds and looking for likes and comments, you may find yourself spending too much time on social media and neglecting other important things. This can lead to stress and anxiety.

  • Sleep Disruption:

The use of social media before bedtime can disrupt sleep patterns due to the blue light emitted by screens, and the emotional stimulation caused by online content. Sleep disorders have a negative impact on mental health.


Positive impact of social media platforms:

It's important to note that social media can also have positive effects on mental health. It can provide a sense of belonging, a support network, and access to mental health resources and information. It can also facilitate communication with loved ones, especially in long-distance relationships.

Role of Psychology and Copying Strategies:

Psychologists play a crucial role in understanding the complex relationship between social media and mental health. They educate people and provide insights into how these platforms impact our well-being, what the positive and negative impacts of social media are, and replication strategies on how to combat these impacts. Psychologists also help develop strategies for individuals and communities to mitigate the negative effects of social media.

Coping Strategies:

Psychologists offer these three techniques: mindfulness, cognitive behavioral therapy, and self-compassion can help people manage their emotional responses to online experiences.

  • Unfollow accounts and avoid people:

                Unfollow accounts and avoid people who make you feel unsafe or unhappy. Follow the account and connect with positive people to promote positivity, motivation, and inspiration. Tailoring your feed can create a more uplifting online experience.

  • Mindfulness, meditation practices, and self-reflection:

            Practice mindfulness techniques to stay present and reduce the urge to constantly check your social media and start deep breathing exercises and meditation.
Reflect on your feelings while using social media. Are you experiencing envy, anxiety, or stress? Identifying these emotions can be the first step toward managing them.
Change your focus, spend less time online, spend time with family and friends, express gratitude, and have confidence in yourself and your self-image.

Research studies:

High social media use is linked with poorer mental health outcomes (Przybylski et al., 2020). Social media use is linked with body image issues and eating disorders, particularly among young women (Holland & Tiggemann, 2016), and may be a contributing factor to alcohol use and related problems in adolescents and young adults (Moreno et al., 2016). Social media use can lead to depression, stress, and anxiety (Karim et al., 2020).

Conclusion:

In this digital era, it's crucial to remember that you have ultimate control over your mental health. Social media is a powerful tool, but it can have both positive and negative impacts on your well-being. By utilizing the information and strategies outlined in this blog, you can navigate the digital world mindfully. Striving for balance, safeguarding self-worth, and prioritizing mental health are essential. Ultimately, you are in charge of your online experiences, so make decisions that empower and strengthen you. Your mental health deserves nothing less. I hope this blog helps you understand the impact of social media on mental health and how to deal with it.

References:

  1. Holland, G., & Tiggemann, M. (2016). A systematic review of the impact of the use of social networking sites on body image and disordered eating outcomes. Body Image, 17, 100–110. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bodyim.2016.02.008
  2. Karim, F., Oyewande,A. A., Abdalla, L. F., Ehsanullah, R. C., & Khan, S. (2020). Social media Use and its Connection to Mental Health: A systematic review. Cureus. https://doi.org/10.779/cureus.8627
  3. Moroeno, M. A., D' Angelo, J., & Whitehill, J. M. (2016). Social Media and Alcohol: Summary of research, intervention ideas and future study Directions. Media and Communication, 4(3).50-59. https://doi.org/10.17645/mac.v4i3.529
  4. Przybylski, A. K., Orben, A., & Weinstein, N. (2020). How much is too much? Examining the relationship between digital screen engagement and psychosocial functioning in a confirmatory cohort study. Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, 59(9), 1080–1088. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaac.2019.06.017
  5. Ramphul, K., & Mejias, S. G. (2018). Is “Snapchat dysmorphia” a real issue? Cureus. https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.2263

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