The Effects of Social Media on Mental Health

There is a growing body of research that suggests that teenagers are indeed particularly vulnerable to the effects of social media.

This may have something to do with the fact that adolescence is a period wherein the teenage brain is still developing and is particularly sensitive to social stimuli, such as social media. Teenagers and young adults tend to seek social rewards. Teenagers in particular may lack the ability to restrain themselves.

Teenagers are still in the process of forming their identities and developing their self-esteem. Social media can impact their self-esteem by exposing them to unrealistic beauty standards, cyberbullying, and the pressure of presenting a perfect online persona.

Social media platforms use “likes” and “followers” to reward users and feed that craving for attention and social validation. It can lead to social media addiction because they seek these social interactions.

Social media can also impact people’s mental health, and it’s not just teenage girls. This can affect anyone who uses social media regularly. Excessive use of social media can lead to feelings of anxiety, depression, and stress.

Social media has the tendency to create a culture of comparison. With all the carefully curated posts you see online from your friends, family members, and even total strangers, your self-image may be affected.

With everyone presenting themselves in such a perfect light, other people who see these posts may develop feelings of inadequacy, anxiety, and low self-esteem. Seeing others’ highlight reels can make people feel like they are missing out or not living up to expectations.

Social media cultivates your fear of missing out. FOMO is a common thing to experience when you see others having fun and doing things you cannot do. It can make you feel left out and insecure. There’s even the slight fear that you may miss out on the latest trends, jokes, connections, etc.

These social media platforms can also exacerbate body image issues, leading to a distorted self-image. When you are on social media a lot, it’s hard not to compare yourself to the people you see on your feed. We judge other people’s lives and see how we measure up, from the way they look, to how much they are spending, and who is getting the most number of likes on every post.

This culture of comparison creates the pressure to conform to society’s idea of beauty. You may want to change your lifestyle to be more like the people you see online, even when that is not realistic or sustainable for you.

The constant exposure to online content can increase your risk of developing eating disorders, depression, and other mental health disorders.

Social media can even create a need for other people’s validation. You may feel the urge to update your profile constantly so you can receive likes and comments in order to feel good about yourself.

Aside from the damage we do to ourselves by constantly being on social media and comparing ourselves to other people, there is also the threat of getting harassed online.

Social media platforms can be a breeding ground for cyberbullying. This is a form of online harassment that involves using electronic communication technologies, such as social media, email, or text messages, to intimidate, harass, or humiliate someone.

Cyberbullying can take many forms, such as sending hurtful messages, posting embarrassing or humiliating content, spreading rumors or lies about someone, or even creating fake profiles or impersonating someone online. Cyberbullying can have serious consequences for the victim, such as depression, anxiety, and social isolation. In some extreme cases, cyberbullying may even lead to suicide.

The anonymity of social media can make cyberbullying particularly insidious, as bullies can hide behind fake usernames or profiles, making it difficult for victims to identify or confront them. Additionally, the ability to reach a large audience quickly and easily on social media can magnify the effects of cyberbullying.

To protect yourself from cyberbullying, it is important to be mindful of your online activity and take steps to protect your personal information. You can also block or report individuals who engage in cyberbullying behavior and seek support from trusted friends, family, or mental health professionals if you are being bullied online.

Young people, especially LGBTQ+ youth are often targeted by online harassment. Studies have shown that online harassment can activate the same regions of the brain that respond to physical pain. This means cyberbullying can take a physical toll on its victims.

Excessive use of social media, particularly before bed, can disrupt sleep patterns, leading to fatigue, irritability, and mood swings. And unfortunately, a lot of people spend hours just lying in bed in front of their phones without actually going to sleep.

Screens emit blue light, which can disrupt the production of melatonin. This is the hormone that helps regulate sleep-wake cycles. When you stare at screens while you’re in bed, you are disrupting your body’s production of melatonin, which can make it harder for you to fall asleep.

Aside from staring at screens, spending time on social media means you are also seeing a lot of content that can be stimulating, emotional or engaging. This can keep your mind active and make it difficult for you to relax and fall asleep.

Some people stay up late to check their social media feeds just because they don’t want to miss any important updates.

This is only part of the reason social media use has been linked to increased anxiety and depression.

It is important to establish healthy sleep habits and limit social media use before bedtime to avoid the negative impact it can have on sleep. Experts suggest turning off screens at least an hour before bed and finding alternative activities to unwind before going to sleep.

Misusing social media can prevent you from getting enough sleep at night. But there are other unhealthy behaviors that can develop from spending too much time online.

For example, impressionable teens may see dangerous, violent, or inappropriate behavior on social media get a ton of likes and engagement. This may confuse them and lead them to think these behaviors are acceptable.

Research has shown that the prefrontal cortex, which is associated with decision-making and judgment, stops working for teens after viewing illegal and dangerous imagery that have been “liked” by other people. This suggests that likes may reduce their inhibitions, increasing their likelihood of engaging in dangerous or questionable behavior.

Social media can even make “psychologically disordered behavior” such as disordered eating and self-injury look good. Teens and young adults may see these behaviors on social media sites and decide to engage in them.

Excessive social media use can be compared to addiction in some ways. Addiction is a condition in which a person becomes physically or mentally dependent on a particular substance or behavior. While social media itself is not a substance, it can still trigger addictive behaviors in some people.

Research has shown that social media use can trigger the release of dopamine, a neurotransmitter associated with pleasure and reward. This can create a cycle in which a person feels compelled to check social media frequently in order to experience that same feeling of pleasure and reward.

Additionally, social media can be highly engaging, with notifications, likes, and comments providing a constant source of stimulation. This can make it difficult for some people to disengage from social media, leading to excessive use that can interfere with other areas of their life, such as work, school, or relationships.

In fact, social media activates regions of the brain that are involved in addictions to illicit substances. While they are not exactly the same, there is a significant overlap when it comes to the regions of the brain involved.

Since teens do not have the same level of self-control that adults do, they can fall victim to excessive social media use.

Like other addictive behaviors, excessive social media use can also lead to negative consequences, such as anxiety, depression, social isolation, and decreased productivity. Therefore, it is important for individuals to be mindful of their social media use and take steps to establish healthy habits and boundaries.

It’s worth noting that social media isn’t all bad. It’s not a great evil that needs to be eliminated immediately. It simply highlights the importance of regulating your social media habits. In fact, if used responsibly, social media can even benefit your mental health in some ways.

Research shows that teens and young adults are able to form and maintain friendships online. Social media sites allow them to interact with a much more diverse group than they are exposed to offline. These close and meaningful connections help provide comfort and support during times of stress.

Here are other potential benefits of social media:

Social support: Social media platforms can provide people with a sense of belonging and social support, which can help to reduce feelings of loneliness and isolation.

Access to information and resources: Social media platforms can be a valuable source of information and resources related to mental health issues. People can connect with others who have similar experiences and learn about different treatments and coping strategies.

Increased self-expression: Social media provides a platform for people to express themselves and share their experiences, which can be empowering and validating.

Improved communication: Social media can improve communication between people who are geographically separated, making it easier to stay in touch with loved ones and maintain social connections.

Increased awareness and understanding: Social media can help to raise awareness about mental health issues and reduce stigma by providing a platform for people to share their experiences and educate others.

Whether social media will be beneficial or harmful largely depends on how you use it. Remember to use social media in a balanced and healthy way.

Social media can be a great way to connect with friends and family, keep up with news and events, and even find support for mental health issues. However, it can also be a source of stress, anxiety, and negative emotions, especially if you spend a lot of time on it.

If you want to protect your mental health while using social media, make sure you limit your time in front of your phone. Set a specific amount of time each day or week to use social media and stick to it. Try to avoid using social media right before bed, as it can interfere with sleep.

If you are the type to use social media regularly, take breaks when needed. You can step away from these platforms, deactivate your profile, or just stop checking it for a few days or weeks. This can go a long way, especially if you are really feeling overwhelmed by the news and the other things you see on social media.

Social media is supposed to connect you with other people and give you some form of relaxation. Only engage with content that brings you that joy and peace. Make sure you have boundaries in place.

Be mindful of the content you consume. Follow accounts that share positive and uplifting content, and unfollow or mute accounts that constantly post negative or triggering content. If anything is making you feel insecure or self-conscious, unfollow it.

When using social media, try to take stock of how your feed makes you feel. With the amount of content you are scrolling past, it’s easy to go from one emotional journey to another. But take note of the feelings you are going through, especially if some of the content is making you feel anxious, afraid, or stressed. Even seemingly harmless content can affect your mood, especially if you are consuming high amounts of it on a regular basis.

You can’t control everything you see on social media, but you can at least be more selective about the accounts you follow and content creators you subscribe to.

If it’s hard to stay off social media, try leaving your phone out of sight or beyond your reach when doing other activities. Keep it away from you when you’re in bed, especially. If your phone is easily accessible, the temptation to check your socials will be greater.

It’s easier said than done, but: don’t compare yourself to others. Remember that social media often presents a curated and filtered version of people’s lives, and it’s easy to fall into the trap of comparing yourself to others. Focus on your own journey and celebrate your own accomplishments.

What is posted on social media isn’t necessarily an accurate representation of reality. In order to take care of your mental well-being, you have to treat social media as a source of entertainment rather than a depiction of reality.

If you are really struggling with mental health issues, seek out support. Consider joining online support groups or reaching out to mental health professionals on social media. Just make sure to verify their credentials and qualifications before seeking their help.

Remember, your mental health should always come first. Take steps to protect yourself and create a positive social media experience.

If you or someone you love is struggling with social media addiction or any other type of addiction, look for a rehab facility near you and learn about the treatment process. The journey to a healthier you begins today.

Treatment is an addicted individualʼs best option if they want to recover. Beating an addiction not only requires eliminating the physical dependence, but also addressing the behavioral factors that prevent them from wanting to get better. Simply quitting may not change the psychological aspect of addiction. Some people quit for a while, and then take drugs or alcohol again, only to overdose because they did not detox properly. Recovery involves changing the way the patient feels, thinks, and behaves.