Social media use has become an integral part of modern life, with billions of people around the world using platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter to connect with others, share experiences, and consume information. However, a growing body of research suggests that excessive social media use can have negative effects on mental health.
The relationship between social media use and mental health is complex and multifaceted. Excessive social media use has been linked to increased symptoms of anxiety and depression, decreased self-esteem, and sleep disturbances. Social media platforms showcase curated highlight reels, leading to unrealistic comparisons and potential feelings of inadequacy. The constant exposure to others' activities can have serious negative effects on mental health. Certain populations, such as young people and individuals with pre-existing mental health conditions, may be more vulnerable to these negative effects.
The use of social media significantly impacts mental health. It can enhance connection, increase self-esteem, and improve a sense of belonging. But it can also lead to tremendous stress, pressure to compare oneself to others, and increased sadness and isolation. Mindful use is essential to social media consumption.
Today, the “typical” social media user spends two hours and 23 minutes a day perusing social platforms. And 1 in 5 teens report being on YouTube or TikTok “almost constantly,” according to a 2023 survey by Pew Research Center.
Social Media and Mental Health
Numerous studies link the usage of social media to unfavorable effects such enhanced anxiety, anxious behavior, loneliness, and narcissism,the growing use of social media among young people raises questions about potential drawbacks.In today's culture, the usage of social media by people reached the point where it is almost pandemic.
Social media has a reinforcing nature. Using it activates the brain’s reward center by releasing dopamine, a “feel-good chemical” linked to pleasurable activities such as sex, food, and social interaction. The platforms are designed to be addictive and are associated with anxiety, depression, and even physical ailments.
But what makes users come back for more even when it can literally make them feel sick?
“When the outcome is unpredictable, the behavior is more likely to repeat. Think of a slot machine: if game players knew they never were going to get money by playing the game, then they never would play,” Sperling says.
It is challenging to provide a succinct explanation of the effects that social media has not just on young people but everyone in general because it makes use of a range of different digital approaches. To utilize and respond to social media in either an adaptive or maladaptive manner
The Pros of social media
Even though most of the debate on young people and new media has centered on potential issues, the unique features of the social media ecosystem have made it feasible to support adolescent mental health in more ways than ever before. One of the most well-known benefits of social media is social connection; 81% of students say it boosts their sense of connectedness to others.
Social media can be used to increase acceptance or a feeling of community by providing adolescents with opportunities to connect with others who share their interests, beliefs, and experiences.
Other benefits include
- Find vital social and professional connections (such as online therapy) if you live in a remote area, for example, or have limited independence, social anxiety, or are part of a marginalized group.
- Discover (with care) sources of valuable information and learning.
The Impact of social media on Mental health
In 2023, U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy issued an advisory calling attention to “the growing concerns about the effects of social media on youth mental health.” The advisory highlights a number of research findings that associate social media use with mental health concerns. For example, it noted that American teens, ages 12 to 15, who spent more than three hours a day on social media faced double the risk of experiencing poor mental health outcomes, including symptoms of depression and anxiety.
Previous research has identified a few distinct types of peer interactions that can take place online as potential risk factors for mental health. Being the target of cyberbullying, also known as cyber victimization, has been shown to relate to greater rates of self-inflicted damage, suicidal ideation, and a variety of other internalizing and externalizing issues . Additionally, people may be put in danger by the peer pressure that can be found on social networking platforms. This can take the form of being rejected by peers, engaging in online fights, or being involved in drama or conflict . Peer influence processes may also be amplified among people who spend time online, where they have access to a wider diversity of their peers as well as content that could be damaging to them
A recent study found that 14.8% of young people who were admitted to mental hospitals because they posed a risk to others or themselves had viewed internet sites that encouraged suicide in the two weeks leading up to their admission
When determining how the use of technology impacts the mental health of children, young adults and adults, it is essential to consider the issue of displacement. This refers to the question of what other important activities are being replaced by time spent on social media. It is a well-established fact that the circadian rhythms of children and adolescents and adults have a substantial bearing on both their physical and mental development.
However, past studies have shown a consistent connection between using a mobile device before bed and poorer sleep quality results. These results include shorter sleep lengths, decreased sleep quality, and daytime tiredness. Notably, 36% of adolescents claim they wake up at least once over the course of the night to check their electronic devices, and 40% of adolescents say they use a mobile device within five minutes of going to bed. Because of this, the impact of social media on the quality of sleep continues to be a substantial risk factor for subsequent mental health disorders in young people, making it an essential topic for the continuation of research in this area
Most studies that have been conducted to investigate the link between using social media and experiencing depression symptoms have concentrated on how frequently and problematically people use social media. Most of the research that was taken into consideration for this study found a positive and reciprocal link between the use of social media and feelings of depression and, on occasion, suicidal ideation
Fear of missing out (FOMO) and social media addiction: While the fear of missing out or FOMO has been around far longer than social media, sites such as Facebook and Instagram seem to exacerbate feelings that others are having more fun or living better lives than you are. The idea that you’re missing out on certain things can impact your self-esteem, trigger anxiety, and fuel even greater social media use, much like an addiction. FOMO can compel you to pick up your phone every few minutes to check for updates, or compulsively respond to each and every alert—even if that means taking risks while you’re driving, missing out on sleep at night, or prioritizing social media interaction over real world relationships.
Isolation: A study at the University of Pennsylvania found that high usage of Facebook, Snapchat, and Instagram increases rather decreases feelings of loneliness. Conversely, the study found that reducing social media usage can actually make you feel less lonely and isolated and improve your overall wellbeing.e.t.c
Cyberbullying: About 10 percent of teens report being bullied on social media and many other users are subjected to offensive comments. Social media platforms such as Twitter can be hotspots for spreading hurtful rumors, lies, and abuse that can leave lasting emotional scars.
Inadequacy about your life or appearance: Even if you know that images you’re viewing on social media are manipulated, they can still make you feel insecure about how you look or what’s going on in your own life. Similarly, we’re all aware that other people tend to share just the highlights of their lives, rarely the low points that everyone experiences. But that doesn’t lessen those feelings of envy and dissatisfaction when you’re scrolling through a friend’s airbrushed photos of their tropical beach holiday or reading about their exciting new promotion at work.
Other impact on mental health include
- loneliness
- stress
- Low self-esteem, and
- Depression
It’s a very vulnerable population to have access to something where there is no stopgap before they post or press the send button. I think that’s something of which to be mindful.”
In recent years, plastic surgeons have seen an uptick in requests from patients who want to look like their filtered Snapchat and Instagram photos.
A New York Times article that ran in June 2018 features a newlywed couple who nearly separated after their honeymoon. The reason: the wife spent more time on the trip planning and posting selfies than she spent with her husband.
It is also unknown whether other aspects of the environment, such as differences in cultural norms or the advice and support provided by parents, have any bearing on this connection. Even if it is probable that moderate use relates to improved self-regulation, it is not apparent whether this is the result of intermediate users having naturally greater self-regulation.
Conclusion
However, there is a need to raise awareness about the possible risks associated with excessive use, which can negatively affect mental health and everyday functioning. There is neither a negative nor positive consensus regarding the effects of social media on people.
However, by teaching people social media literacy, we can maximize their chances of having balanced, safe, and meaningful experiences on these platforms
It is also impossible to draw firm conclusions on whether media use precedes and predicts negative effects on mental health because research has only been conducted once. Adults frequently blame the media for the problems that younger generations face. Because they are cyclical, media panics should not just be attributed to the novel and the unknown.But more research is needed considering how swiftly the digital media landscape is changing.
References
- Berryman C, Ferguson CJ, Negy C: Social media use and mental health among young adults.
- Ulvi O, Karamehic-Muratovic A, Baghbanzadeh M, Bashir A, Smith J, Haque U: Social media use and mental health: a global analysis.
- Kraut R, Patterson M, Lundmark V, Kiesler S, Mukophadhyay T, Scherlis W: Internet paradox: a social technology that reduces social involvement and psychological well-being?.
- Nesi J: The impact of social media on youth mental health: challenges and opportunities.
- Abdullah A. Alubied,Ahmed M. Khalaf,Abdallah A. Rifaey: The Impact of Social Media on the Mental Health of Adolescents and Young Adults: A Systematic Review
- Pew Research Center. (2023). Teens and social media: Key findings from Pew Research Center surveys. Retrieved June 14, 2023.
- Lawrence Robinson and Melinda Smith, M.A:Social Media and Mental Health
- The Social Dilemma: Social Media and Your Mental Health
- The Impact of Social Media on the Mental Health of Adolescents and Young Adults: A Systematic Review
- Statista. (2022). Time spent on social media [Chart]
- Ruth Plackett, Alexandra Blyt,Patricia Schartau:The Impact of Social Media Use Interventions on Mental Well-Being: Systematic Review