Social media has become an indispensable part of our daily lives. Alongside the benefits it brings, such as connecting with friends, sharing information, and entertainment, there also exist risks that social media can pose. In this context, understanding the impact of social media on mental health is crucial. In today’s article, Optimal Agency will explore and provide detailed answers to these questions.
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How social media affects mental health
According to the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, 90% of adolescents aged 13–17 in the United States have used or frequently used social media. Data from 2020 by Statista also shows that 63% of U.S. parents report that their children use social media more than before the pandemic. The significant increase in the number of young people using social media also correlates with growing concerns about mental health. Many healthcare experts are expressing concerns about the negative impacts of social media, placing it on par with pandemic-related issues in terms of importance.
According to the Mental Health America organization, the number of adolescents experiencing severe depression in 2021 increased by an additional 206,000 cases compared to the previous year. Additionally, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the number of suicides among adolescents in the United States increased by 31% from 2019 to 2020. In 2021, emergency department visits for suspected suicide attempts among girls aged 12–17 also increased by more than 51% compared to the same period in 2019.
Positive effects of social media
During the pandemic, the use of social media increased for many young people. For them, social media is not just a means of communication but also a primary method of social connection when they cannot meet their friends in person. In this context, social media plays an important role in helping adolescents connect with social groups outside of real life during times of isolation. This brings a significant benefit as isolation can affect their mental, emotional, and physical health.
A 2017 study highlighted the relationship between social isolation and loneliness, an emotion believed to have a negative correlation with cardiovascular and mental health outcomes. During the pandemic, social media has become a vital emotional and psychological lifeline by facilitating connections among young people. Furthermore, social media also provides other benefits such as supporting connections with people who share similar interests, facilitating learning about new topics and interests, contributing to identity formation, and encouraging social participation. Additionally, it helps in understanding others, expanding knowledge, and social interaction. Besides, please see social media advertising pros and cons to better understand this issue
Negative effects of social media
While social media can help reduce feelings of isolation for many young people, an increase in social media use or addiction can also have negative effects on the physical and mental health of young people. There is ample evidence that social media can have negative effects on mental health, even before the pandemic occurred. A study in the UK in 2015 found that if children use social media for more than 3 hours a day during school hours, they are at significantly increased risk of developing mental health problems. During the pandemic, surprising results from research have also emerged. A 2020 study analyzed 86,581,237 English-language tweets and showed a significant increase in social media use when social distancing measures were in place. This is seen as a coping mechanism for loneliness, but using the phone to deal with negative emotions is only a temporary solution.
Although the use of social media can bring benefits, such as learning about new interests, promoting social participation, and building relationships, there are also risks. An international survey in 2022 in the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, and Norway showed that using social media for entertainment or to alleviate loneliness is associated with a decrease in mental health. However, using social media to maintain personal relationships and communication has a better effect. However, the research also notes that excessive use of social media can increase negative feelings over time and affect mental health. This is also reflected in the survey by ExpressVPN, where 86% of participants stated that social media negatively affects their happiness, increasing loneliness, and anxiety, and reducing self-confidence. This poses a significant challenge in managing and using social media judiciously to ensure the mental health of young people.
Balancing social media and daily life
After a period of isolation due to the pandemic, the use of social media has reached its peak among young people. For most adolescents, social media has become an indispensable part of life. Many find it challenging to maintain friendships and communicate with friends without social media. While permanently abandoning social media may not be feasible for some, you can encourage young people to build a balanced lifestyle with phones and social media. Through conversation, parents can help their children understand the benefits and potential risks of using social media. Additionally, exchanging ideas with children about social media awareness is crucial to help them better understand its nature. Much of what is posted on social media is often curated and does not accurately reflect reality. This can help reduce the fear of missing out and the pressure to create a perfect image for oneself.
Young people need to find a balance between the virtual world and the real world. This may involve adjusting some habits formed during the pandemic by encouraging young people to spend time exercising and relaxing outdoors. Encourage children and adolescents to participate in activities with family and friends in the real world, such as going to the movies, playing in the local park, or even video-calling friends and family from afar. To avoid the harms of social media, you can implement social media management in the family, helping young people build a balanced lifestyle by monitoring social media usage and setting realistic limits on social media access.
Additionally, instead of scrolling through social media upon waking up and before going to bed, allocate time in the morning and evening to not use the phone. This can help start and end the day positively. Although social media can bring benefits during social distancing, there are also notable drawbacks. However, you can still enjoy the positive aspects of social media by reflecting honestly and responsibly managing its use. Take advantage of the benefits and minimize the risks that social media brings by focusing on its connecting goal.
In the above article, Optimal Agency has shared with you the most accurate and detailed information, hoping that our content can help you effectively understand the impact of social media on mental health.
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Frequently asked questions
Heavy use of social media can lead to depression for several reasons. First, comparing yourself to others on social media can create pressure to meet unrealistic standards. Perfect photos and “flawless” lives shared on social media often make users feel inadequate or unsuccessful, causing feelings of low self-esteem and low self-worth. Second, spending too much time on social media can reduce direct connection and communication with others in the real world, leading to feelings of loneliness and isolation. Finally, negative content such as disparaging comments or unwanted news can affect users’ moods and spirits, contributing to the development of depression.
Social networks, although bringing many benefits, also come with many harms. A clear example of the harmful effects of social networks is the negative impact on users’ mental health. Research has shown that comparing yourself to others on social media can cause feelings of low self-esteem and self-worth, leading to depression. In addition, exposure to negative content such as disparaging comments or unwanted news can also hurt users’ moods and spirits. Therefore, this evidence is proof of the need to consider and reduce the time spent using social networks to protect your mental health.
