Nowadays, a lot of people have their smartphones as virtual companions. These gadgets use digital social media networks to notify users of updates regarding friends, favourite celebrities, and major world events. Many people now fully incorporate social media into their daily lives.
Social media, at its core, is a powerful communication tool that has altered how people interact with one another. It accelerates the exchange and sharing of information, thoughts, and ideas across virtual networks. However, there are some disadvantages to using social media. Some evidence suggests that its use, particularly overuse, can have a negative impact on mental health in a variety of ways.
People are engaging and entertaining themselves more through the digital world now that the internet is easily accessible even in remote areas. Social media is proving to be a significant source of entertainment for people all over the world. However, it has been discovered that it is also one of the leading causes of poor mental health. The rise of social media, in particular, has long-term consequences and negative effects on people’s mental health, such as online abuse, depression and loneliness, self-harm and even suicidal thoughts severe anxiety.
Why does social media have an impact on mental health?
Particularly among frequent users, social media is linked to depression, anxiety, and feelings of isolation.
Teenagers may use the internet for up to 9 hours per day, according to a Common Sense survey from 2015. A large portion of these people worry about how much time they spend on social media. This uptick in anxiety implies that social media usage may have an impact on users’ mental health.
This conclusion was supported by the authors of a Canadian study published in 2017. They found that compared to occasional users, students who use social media for more than two hours per day are much more likely to rate their mental health as fair or poor.
One disadvantage of social media platforms is that they allow people to start or spread harmful rumours and use abusive language, which can leave people with long-term emotional scars.
- It’s highly addictive Statistics
Experts are divided on whether internet addiction, let alone social media addiction, exists, but there is some evidence that both may exist.
Social media has been heavily criticised, with numerous reports linking its use to serious consequences.
According to national surveys and population-based studies, the world of social media can have a negative impact on users’ mental health. Between 2009 and 2017, there was a 25% increase in suicide attempts among teenagers in the United States alone, according to survey results.
- Negative effects on health
Social media can make people feel inadequate. People may experience feelings of envy and dissatisfaction if they believe that their life or appearance does not compare favourably to others’ on social media.
According to a 2018 study, excessive social media use makes people feel more lonely rather than less. Additionally, it stated that limiting social media use enhances wellbeing by assisting individuals in feeling less isolated and lonely.
Social media can also encourage cyberbullying, lead to unhealthy self-centeredness, and distance users from their friends and family.
- Positive effects
Social media may provide individuals with a platform that allows them to connect and reconnect with others, thereby expanding and strengthening their in-person networks and interactions.
Social media can make people feel inadequate. People may experience feelings of envy and dissatisfaction if they believe that their life or appearance does not compare favourably to others’ on social media.
According to a 2018 study, excessive social media use makes people feel more lonely rather than less. Additionally, it stated that limiting social media use enhances wellbeing by assisting individuals in feeling less isolated and lonely.
Social media can also encourage cyberbullying, lead to unhealthy self-centeredness, and distance users from their friends and family.
