The Impact Of Social Media On Mental Health

Social media has become a crucial part of our everyday life. It connects us with our family and friends. But, it is important to understand that the increase in our screen time concerns the impact of social media on our mental health.

Although social media started as a simple way to remain connected with our loved ones, it turned out to be something bigger. For some people, it is more than just scrolling through the timeline. It has become an addiction or obsession. If you are struggling with depression or mood disorders, social media might be a source of your problem. We will discuss the impact of social media on our mental health and also how you can balance it for a positive result. 

Ways Social Media Is Impacting Our Mental Health

Here are some of the ways social media is negatively impacting our mental health without us even knowing.

Creates a Sense of Comparison

Social media platforms typically portray a perfect image of people’s lives. It shows their holidays, accomplishments, healthy relationships, perfect moments, and milestones. These are also known as highlight reels. 

“Almost all of us have been prey to comparing everyone with ourselves, and continuous exposure to such content can leave you with a different sense of reality. This pressure of living up to others’ perfect lives can be incredibly detrimental and overwhelming to your mental well-being. Constant and frequent comparison of oneself to others is unhealthy and can result in feelings of inadequacy and anxiety.” Says Ben Hilton, Managing Director at Switch Jam Digital

Negative Self-perception

“The platforms we use on a regular basis tend to display unrealistic beauty standards. This is specifically in terms of appearance and body image, which leads to comparing physical attributes and bodies to carefully selected or digitally enhanced images. This sort of exposure to idealized beauty, it can fuel eating disorders, body dissatisfaction, and body dysmorphia.

Furthermore, social media can establish a culture of looking for external validation as people measure their worth on the basis of followers, likes, and comments. The continuous demand for validation can create an unhealthy reliance on people’s opinions and erode self-confidence. “ Says Jose Gomez, Partner/Co-Founder at Summit Metals

Increased Feelings of Loneliness

“Social media can connect and isolate individuals simultaneously. It is such an irony but the more you spend your day on social media, the more you will have a feeling of isolation and loneliness. The impact is also because of the isolation when people use social media as a source of entertainment, and the cycle goes on. Social media allows people to connect with others, but it also encourages a lack of genuine connection and shallow interactions.” Says John Smith, Founder at Sparkaven

When you observe social gatherings and scroll through other people's lives, you may increase the feeling of loneliness and exclusion. Such a habit is especially harmful to the ones who are going through difficult times. Moreover, social media has an addictive nature, leading to excessive screen time. That is why individuals disengage from real-world activities and relationships.

Online Harassment and Cyberbullying

“Online harassment and cyberbullying are both major issues that have become prevalent among social platforms. In this digital age, words play a great role in hurting someone’s feelings. People need to understand that cyberbullying can almost always have a strong impact. The distance and anonymity given by online platforms can encourage people to engage in harmful behavior. Hence, it is essential to address these problems and promote empathy and kindness in online platforms.” Says Natalie McCalla, Co-Owner and Creative Director of Alpine Dog Company Inc

The Positive Side of Social Media

Of course, there are also some positive points of social media. Some of these may include the following.

• A useful platform to understand the world around us.
• Helps to extend connections with others.
• A platform to look for support.
• An excellent medium to campaign social issues and passion projects.
• The ability to establish a positive digital footprint.

It is true if you manage your exposure and usage of social media, it is the best way to encourage a positive relationship. 

Signs that Show Social Media is Posing Negative Impact

You must also know the common signs that social media is negatively impacting your well-being and mental health. Some of the common signs may include the following.

• Anxiety or depression 
• Self-absorption 
• Comparing your lives with others online
• Becoming easily distracted
• Cyberbullying and jealousy
• The key sign among these is that you start to isolate yourself or remove yourself from reality
• You start to bail out on social events and have been missing out on friends meetups

There are many emotional ties to social

Media that can show its impact on your mental health. These may include being depressed, distracted, or anxious. Fixation on social media and excessive self-absorption can also be an issue. This particularly happens when you are getting a lot of attention online. 

Tips to Navigate Social Media’s Influence on Mental Health: Balancing Act

Here are some ways you can balance your real life with social media and still have a healthy mind.

• Mindful Use: Be aware of your social media usage. Set limitations on screen time and engage with platforms that make you feel connected and positive. Restrict apps that make you rather inferior or anxious.
• Engage Authentically: Utilize social media as a tool to create genuine connection. Connect with family and friends, use the platforms to strengthen your real-world relationships, and engage in meaningful conversations.
• Curate Your Feed: Mute or unfollow accounts that continuously make you feel less about yourself or your lifestyle. Follow and connect with the ones that educate, inspire, and entertain you in a positive way. 
• Digital Detox: Take occasional breaks from social life to refresh and reset. A digital detox can offer clarity and let you focus on other parts of your life. 
• Remove Social Media Apps: Although removing social media apps is a major step, it is necessary. You must do it when you are struggling to limit your social media use. When you do not have apps to readily use on your phone’s home screen, you can minimize the temptation to scroll altogether.
• Consult a Professional: If you are worried about your control on social media and nothing is helping you, you might talk to a professional. Get professional counseling to better explore your emotions and feelings in a therapeutic and licensed setting. 

Conclusion

Social media can be considered as a double-edged sword. It can offer both advantages and disadvantages to our mental health. Its influence can be highly dependent on how we use it. Be mindful and make conscious choices about your engagement. In this way, you can harness the positive side of social media and reduce the negative impacts. Strike a balance to get the most benefits without compromising on your mental well-being.