Social Media Impacts on Mental Health

Social media is an integral part of our life as it is a source of enjoyment, information, and connecting people.

It connects people to their friends and family around the world. People stay connected to different social sites such as Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, Whatsapp, and twitter for a long time because the likes and comments on their posts make them feel as they have won an award. A study reveals that an estimated 2.95 billion people were using social media in 2019, and it is expected that it will be 3.43 billion people by 2023. Overuse of these sites can cause various problems such as anxiety, depression, solitude, and FOMO (Fear of missing out). Hence, when using these sites, a balance should be maintained for a healthy life. A study shows that Instagram has the most negative effect on the psychological state of young people, and YouTube is the most positive network.

Positive impacts of social media

Some of the positive points of these sites are

Helps students master new skills

These social sites are providing students with the chance to learn essential job skills. Students can form study groups. In this way, they can interact and help one another to learn new skills.

Provides a platform to show your skills

The most positive aspect of social media is that it provides a platform to show your skills to the world. It increases the confidence level, and empowers them to express their ideas.

Source of sharing awareness

People use this platform to provide social awareness to the people. They raise their voice for the weaker people of the society. NGO’s also promote their campaigns for donations through these sites.

People with common interests

It connects people with common interests from all over the world. In this way, one can help the other one in solving problems as they understand one another.

Social media enhances connectivity

It connects people with friends and family from all over the world. It also provides an opportunity to make new friends. People can share their cultural activities.

Source of Income

It helps people learn new skills and enable them to earn. These sites also provide people with an opportunity to promote their business. They advertise their business through these sites. People are also doing online shopping through social media.

Negative Impacts of social media

Excessive use of social media can cause several problems. Some of the negative points are discussed below

Comparison

The most negative aspect of these sites is that it makes people compare themselves with others. When someone upload selfies, post about their hangouts, dinner pictures, and Snapchat stories, it makes them feel that they are not enjoying their life perfectly. And in the end, this comparison affects their mental health.

FOMO (Fear of missing out)

FOMO is social anxiety with the desire to stay connected with what others are doing. It makes them feel that others are enjoying their lives better and having more fun than them. It involves a deep sense of envy and affects self-esteem. They check their phone every few minutes to check whether they are missing something or not.

Isolation

Excess Social media use causes isolation from society. People are so busy in making new friends on social media that they are cut off from real social life.

Cyberbullying

The major drawback of social media is cyberbullying. It is not only limited to teens, but adults are also affected by this abuse. It leaves deep mental scars on them, and sometimes it causes people to commit suicide. One study shows that 27% of US teenagers feel that social media hurts them due to this.

Tricks to gain likes

People on social media do risky things like dangerous pranks to get few likes and shares.

Anxiety and depression

Instead of reducing the negative thought, and make them feel happy, the excess use of social media causes anxiety and depression.

Distraction from work

The urge to post on social media keeps them distracted from work. And it makes them unable to focus on work.

Sleep patterns

Almost everyone does check his phone before going to bed and after waking up, even when one wakes up in the night. Light from mobile phones affects sleep patterns, and a study also proves that social media use affects the sleep patterns of people.

It’s addictive

Use of social media is more addictive than cigarettes.

You go on scrolling through social sites, and you don’t even realize it. People go on checking social sites without even realizing it.

Modification

We can change our lifestyle to reduce these negative points of social media. Some of the points to keep in mind are discussed below

Reduce online time

Reducing social media use to 30 minutes can reduce the levels of depression and anxiety. It will surely have a good impression on mood and will help to have a focus on work. It might be a difficult task to do, but one can achieve it by setting each day goal.

Track your social media use

It is possible to track social media use, and there are apps available for this. By doing this, one can analyze which social site is consuming most of the time, and then limits can be set to minimize social sites use.

Do not bring the phone to be.

Avoid the usage of mobile phone at night as the light from it affects sleep patterns. Therefore it is advised to keep it away from the bed. It will help to sleep easily, and it will have a positive impact on health.

Change your habits

Change your daily routine life by adopting new habits.

• Go for a walk in the park
• Join gym
• Make a habit of reading
• Do yoga
• Give time to yourself

Spend time in the real world

Instead of spending time with virtual friends on social media, spend it with your real friends. Make plans with your friend and go out on vacations and enjoy the real beauty of the world.

Volunteer

Volunteer yourself for social causes and help the people in making this world the best place to live.