Is social media having a negative impact on you?
A vast majority of people consume social media daily, especially with all the different platforms available. Social media can seem harmless and like a fun way to pass the time but can have a negative impact on some people. It is important to be knowledgeable about the effects social media can have when it is something most people use multiple times every day.
Did you know there is a correlation between social media usage and depression?
Studies suggest there is a relationship between problematic social media usage and depression and anxiety. Problematic social media usage could refer to an internet obsession, using social media to avoid things you are supposed to be doing, or using social media as an escape. Thus increasing social media usage thus neglecting reality outside of our phone screens.
It is likely that people who already have existing mental health disorders could potentially be more negatively impacted by social media due to social comparison.
Social media can impact ones self-esteem and self-image
Some people report feeling worse about themselves due to comparing themselves to others. Common things being compared are one's looks, weight, lifestyle and status, and mental well-being.
Social media is not necessarily always detrimental to mental health, it can make seeking out mental health help more accessible and allow people to assess their own mental health and gain treatment.
Other ways social media can impact you
Body Dissatisfaction
It has been shown that some people report being less satisfied with their own bodies after looking at social media due to comparing ones weight and appearance. There is also an association with increased eating disorder symptoms and habits.
Social Isolation
Heavy use of social media is correlated to an increase in social isolation in the real world. Though social media is a good way to connect with others, it is important to connect with people in real life too.
Sleep
The amount of time you use social media a day can affect the amount of sleep you get throughout the night as well as the quality of sleep.
It should be noted that social media use can have many different effects and studies done highlight correlations betwen social media use and other factors. More research is needed to be done in order to truly understand the impact social media can have. Social media does not always have to be negatively impactful, it can be used in beneficial ways! One should evaluate how they use social media and how it impacts their well-being to make sure they are not accidentally harming themselves. Nobody is saying that we have to quit using social media completely, but limiting the amount of time spent on social media can be beneficial to prevent potential negative impact.
Sources
Aldhawyan, Alfaraj, A. A., Elyahia, S. A., Alshehri, S. Z., & Alghamdi, A. A. (2020). Determinants of Subjective Poor Sleep Quality in Social Media Users Among Freshman College Students. Nature and Science of Sleep, 12, 279–288. https://doi.org/10.2147/NSS.S243411
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Dewa, Lavelle, M., Pickles, K., Kalorkoti, C., Jaques, J., Pappa, S., & Aylin, P. (2019). Young adults' perceptions of using wearables, social media and other technologies to detect worsening mental health: A qualitative study. PloS One, 14(9), e0222655–e0222655. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0222655
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Dodemaide, Merolli, M., Hill, N., & Joubert, L. (2022). Do Social Media Impact Young Adult Mental Health and Well-Being? A Qualitative Study. The British Journal of Social Work, 52(8), 4664–4683. https://doi.org/10.1093/bjsw/bcac078
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Jiotsa, Naccache, B., Duval, M., Rocher, B., & Grall-Bronnec, M. (2021). Social Media Use and Body Image Disorders: Association between Frequency of Comparing One's Own Physical Appearance to That of People Being Followed on Social Media and Body Dissatisfaction and Drive for Thinness. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 18(6), 2880. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18062880
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Whaite, Shensa, A., Sidani, J. E., Colditz, J. B., & Primack, B. A. (2018). Social media use, personality characteristics, and social isolation among young adults in the United States. Personality and Individual Differences, 124, 45–50. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.paid.2017.10.030