Impact of Social Media on Mental Health
Can we imagine our life without any social media platform today? A big NO of course!!
Social media is a topic of significant concern and ongoing research. Social media platforms offer numerous benefits such as facilitating communication, connecting people, and providing a platform for self-expression but at the same time, they also present potential risks to mental well-being. Here are some ways in which social media can affect mental health:
Comparison and self-esteem: The natural tendency of social media users to evaluate themselves against others is one of the biggest effects of the platform. Constantly seeing idealized versions of other people’s lives can make you feel bad about yourself and even lead to depression.
Fear of missing out (FOMO): Seeing what others are doing on social media can make people worry about missing out on events or opportunities, causing stress and anxiety as they feel pressured to stay connected and involved.
Cyberbullying: Sending or posting negative, false, or mean content about someone else on social media is termed as cyberbullying. People who use social media may be subjected to online harassment, mockery, or isolation as a result of cyberbullying. Cyberbullying can have detrimental effects on mental health, including despair, anxiety, and even thoughts of suicide.
Sleep disturbances: Using social media excessively can cause sleep patterns to be disturbed and even lead to insomnia, especially right before bed. Poor sleep quality and exhaustion during the day might result from the body’s natural sleep-wake cycle being disrupted by continuous stimulation and exposure to blue light from displays.
Exposure to unpleasant or upsetting content: Users of social media sites may come across news about violent crimes, natural catastrophes, or traumatic incidents.Such content might exacerbate depressing, hopeless, and anxious sentiments when it is continuously seen.
Addiction: Social media use has the potential to become addictive, which can result in obsessive behaviors and trouble managing consumption. Feelings of loneliness and isolation can result from spending too much time on social media at the expense of obligations, activities, and connections in real life.
Body image issue: Seeing perfect bodies on social media a lot can make people, especially young ones, feel bad about how they look and even lead to unhealthy eating habits.
It’s crucial to remember that a person’s age, personality, and history of mental illness can all have a significant impact on how social media affects their mental health.
Social media can be harmful, but when used carefully and sparingly, it can also be a useful tool for self-expression, community building, and social support.
