Social Media and its Effect on Mental Health

The use of social media has increased significantly over the past few years.

PEW research center indicates that more than 70% of Americans utilize social media platforms. The most popular ones include Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), Instagram, Snapchat, and TikTok.

Social networking has become a very useful tool. People use it to stay in touch with family and friends, get their news, and share their views on various topics. Some researchers wonder about the long-term effects of social media use as it is still a relatively new phenomenon.

Does the increasing reliance and use of social media put people at an increased risk for negative feelings? There is the possibility that regular engagement can lead to feeling anxious, depressed, lonely, envious, and even ill.

Why is social media so popular?

Many people use social media to stay connected to family and friends who live far away or they have lost touch with. This became a vital source for communication during the 2020 pandemic. Social media allowed people to share information and connect with others at a time when stay-at-home orders kept them from meeting in person. It served as a vehicle for social support and connectedness during a time that individuals would’ve felt more isolated from others than ever before.

Social media use reinforces itself because people become quickly hooked to updating their statuses, checking comments and likes, and perusing others’ posts. It gives each user an audience. The use of social media can sometimes activate the brain’s reward center as it releases dopamine, also known as “the feel good” chemical. This keeps people coming back because they want to repeat that feeling over and over again.

Does social media boost self esteem?

Social media has been linked to boosting self-esteem, and especially if a person is viewed favorably online. Getting numbers of likes or interactions on your content can make you feel better about yourself, even if the support comes from strangers. Social media also allows people to express themselves more easily than in person.

While there are benefits to social media use, researchers note that there is a downside concerning overall mental health. The expectation is that such technology should bring people together. But, online disagreements can foster an environment of extreme divisiveness. Additionally, social media has been linked to depression, anxiety, and loneliness. Social media use can sometimes have the opposite effect than what is intended, resulting in increased feelings of isolation.

A 2017 study found that young people who use social media more than two hours a day were more likely to report that they categorize their mental health as fair to poor compared to occasional users.

Another large scale study of young American adults found that heavy social media users are three times more likely to experience depressive symptoms than those who use the same sites occasionally. While it can sometimes boost self-esteem, social media can also cause a person to experience feelings of inadequacy related to his or her life and physical appearance. Most people know the images they see online are manipulated and represent an another person‘s highlight reel; but, they still cause feelings of insecurity, envy, and dissatisfaction.

There is also the mental health phenomenon associated with social media that is known as FOMO, or “fear of missing out”. Sites like Facebook and Instagram exacerbate this fear, and make people feel that they are missing out on something or that other people live better lives than them. In extreme cases, a person can become tethered to his or her phone, and constantly check for updates and respond to every single alert.

The prevalence of sharing endless selfies and innermost thoughts on social media can also create an unhealthy sense of self-centeredness. Some people may tend to focus on an online persona as opposed to getting to know people in real life. They may even neglect opportunities to connect with and make actual memories with family and friends.

The quest for external validation by means of social media can have psychological costs. There is the chance that you may never receive the approval that you are seeking. A lack of positive feedback could lead to self-doubt and/or hatred. It could also fuel intense feelings of jealousy toward others who you feel get a better reception from people than you. You may start comparing yourself to others on the basis of looks, age, social status, popularity, etc.

Having round-the-clock access to your social media accounts makes it easy for you to always be connected. It can also poorly affect your concentration on more important matters, disturb your sleep, and compromise in-person relationships.

Social media can also serve as an unhealthy distraction from your feelings. If you turn to social media when you’re feeling down, lonely, or bored, it could distract you from properly dealing with these emotions. Perusing social media and constantly looking at the posts of others might even make you feel worse instead of better.

Is social media impacting your mental health?

Everyone is different, and there is no recommended set amount of time to spend on social media. Evaluating its impact on your life and how you feel as a result of using social media will help you gauge how much time you should allot for certain online activities.

If social media is impacting your relationships or distracting you from work or school, it may be time to cut back. It might be best to reevaluate how much time you spend on certain sites if scrolling leaves you feeling envious, depressed, and/or anxious. A detox from social media may be needed. Instead, spend time offline to safeguard your mental health.

Additional signs you’re being negatively affected by social media can include the following:

• An increase in symptoms of anxiety, depression, and loneliness
• Spending more time on social media than with real world friends and family
• Comparing yourself unfavorably to others and feeling jealous
• Being trolled or cyber bullied by others online
• Engaging in risky behaviors
• Taking outrageous photos in order to gain attention through comments and likes
• Neglecting work, family or school obligations as a result of spending time on social media
• Having little to no time for self-care activities such as mindfulness, self reflection, exercise, and sleep

If you are experiencing any of the above symptoms, it may be time to take a break from social media or start spending less time on networking sites.