Terrifying Effects of Social Media on Mental Health

Worldwide, nearly 3 billion people use social media for a variety of reasons: entertainment, to connect with friends and family, to promote their businesses, and to express themselves creatively. But social media isn’t just a tool for enjoyment or promotion. It’s quickly becoming a catalyst for mental illness, anxiety, and even depression.

An Augmented Version of Reality

Several recent studies have attempted to quantify the ways social media is impacting users. Much of the research, including a notable study by the Royal Society for Public Health, has revealed some disturbing results.

The above chart represents the positive and negative effects of social media on British youth aged 14-24. While those surveyed shared that their accounts helped them build community, seek health advice, and develop their self-identity, the negatives seemed to far outweigh the benefits, with all four major platforms significantly impacting anxiety and depression.
 
These negative effects stem from the unique environment that social media creates. Wait But Why’s Tim Urban sums it up perfectly:
“Social media creates a world where A) what everyone else is doing is very out in the open, B) most people present an inflated version of their own existence, and C) the people who chime in the most about their careers are usually those whose careers (or relationships) are going the best, while struggling people tend not to broadcast their situation.”
 
In short, social media presents an augmented version of reality. But it’s a version of reality that nearly 3 billion people worldwide accept every day. And that reality is having a damaging impact on our lives.

How social media affects us

It’s clear that the effects of social media are numerous and wide-ranging. While no one could have predicted these mental health outcomes, these platforms were designed to keep us coming back often.
 
In late 2017, Facebook co-founder Sean Parker accused his former company of exploiting human vulnerability to make social media addictive. He referred to a “social-validation feedback loop.” Basically, every time we receive a like or comment, a bit of dopamine is released. Then, we keep posting again and again to experience that same high. This leads to a host of issues:

• Our use becomes addictive—habitual, excessive, and problematic. And this is mainly driven by external validation.
• We feel the pressure to constantly achieve great things or participate in extreme experiences, because those posts generate the most likes.
• We see everyone else’s perfectly curated and filtered lives, and we feel that we need to compete. Or worse, we feel our lives are inadequate.
• In some instances, social media can lead to death and some studies have linked increased suicide rates to social media use.

 
In youth aged 14-24, the effects of social media are especially acute:

• Feelings of anxiety and inadequacy
• Exposure to bullying
• Body image worries, and even obsession
• Increased feelings of depression
• Crippling fear of missing out (“FOMO”)

 
Instagram was noted as the most detrimental platform for this age group, specifically for the feelings of inadequacy, FOMO, and body image concerns. Though social media plays an important role in our daily lives, it’s clear that we need to reduce its impact.

How to reduce social media’s impact

Social media use is very individualized, and thus, you’ll need to explore the right approach to reduce its impact in your life. Curbing its effects may not mean quitting cold turkey, but it may mean adjusting your usage to promote a healthier life and sense of well-being. Here are a few places to start:

• Set some limits: Cut the time you spend on social media in half. Then, try to cut it back even more over time.
• Pay attention to the ways social media affects you: Think about how you feel before you log on, while you’re on the platform, and after you log off. If you notice negative feelings, try to pinpoint what’s making you feel that way.
• Switch platforms: YouTube has consistently been ranked as the social media platform with the most positive impact on self-identity and self-expression. Try using it more to increase your personal happiness.
• Weekly check-in: Every week, schedule a check-in to assess how much time you’ve spent on social media and how that time has made you feel. Make adjustments as needed.
• Seek professional help: If you feel you suffer from social media addiction, you don’t have to deal with it alone. Try talking to a professional to get help. Don’t feel ashamed—social media addiction is a harmful condition that’s just as real and impactful as drug or alcohol addiction.
• Turn off notifications: The less notices you have popping up on your phone, the less inclined you’ll feel to check your accounts.

 
We can’t deny the important role social media plays in several industries and in our lives. But if its influence goes unchecked, it can damage our self-esteem and lead to serious mental health issues. It’s important to start controlling social media use to protect our well-being and productivity.