In today’s digital age, social media has revolutionized the way we connect with one another, creating an interconnected world at our very fingertips. It serves as a powerful tool for networking, bonding, and entertainment, effortlessly bridging distances and enabling instant communication. However, amidst its undeniable benefits, we must also acknowledge the detrimental impact it can have on our mental health. As we delve deeper into this article, we will explore the profound ways in which constant social media usage may be silently eroding our well-being. Join us on this insightful journey to discover the hidden toll that excessive social media exposure may be taking on your mental health. Throughout this article, we will discuss 10 key ways in which social media impacts our mental well-being, shedding light on the intricacies of this complex issue:
- Anxiety
Although social media is an easy way to keep everyone connected, it has been a main cause of anxiety. For example feeling the need to constantly post and being more aware of real world situations. It is typical for one to feel that they need to constantly update their peers by posting consistently on social media. When seeing everyone else consistently post what they are doing, anxiety of being behind or disconnected may form. Anxiety also arises from seeing events that are happening all around the world, for example pandemics, political wars, crimes, etc. Although social media can be good for easy educational purposes, this also causes worry and concern for the community.
- Attention Disorder
Those who use too much social media have higher chances of having ADHD. When dealing with ADHD one may have troubles focusing and staying on task. Heavy social media usage causes many to become impatient or uninterested easily. When on social media time passes faster than expected rather than in real life you realize how much time you actually have in a day.
- Comparison
Social media often highlights a skewed perception of reality. People routinely curate their online presence to share positive moments like vacations, nice possessions, and fun experiences. However, this overlooks the day-to-day realities and struggles that go unposted. It’s easy to unintentionally compare our full lives to just the highlights of others’. This causes people to compare themselves to a false reality causing low self-esteem or jealousy from others.
This cultivated perception of perfection can negatively impact mental health and self-esteem. When all we see are polished portraits of success and joy from acquaintances, it’s natural to feel as though we’re falling short. But the truth is far more complex – no one’s life is defined solely by the moments they opt to showcase.
Taking periodic breaks from social networking helps gain perspective. Away from curated comparisons, we’re reminded that everyone experiences uncertainties and difficulties behind closed doors. No single individual has everything completely figured out at all times. An online highlight reel is not an accurate proxy for true happiness or fulfillment.
- Depression
Cyberbullying has been a persistent issue since the rise of social media. It can take many harmful forms, such as threats, harassment, and rude or abusive posts/comments targeted at individuals or groups. Unfortunately, teens and young adults are especially vulnerable to this type of online aggression and manipulation. Even prominent celebrities face severe cyberbullying through constant judgment, criticism, and unfiltered negative feedback on platforms. What many fail to realize is that despite their fame, celebrities are still human beings who regularly encounter uncensored insults and mean-spirited commentary on the internet. The depression and mental health impacts of sustained cyberbullying should not be taken lightly. Experiencing threats, put-downs and harassment online can seriously undermine victims’ well-being and self-esteem over time. While social networking has benefitted society in many ways, the real and damaging consequences of cyberbullying demonstrate an ongoing need for open discussion, education and community standards that promote online safety, civility and compassion.
- Insomnia
Excessive phone and tablet usage before bedtime is a major contributing factor to insomnia, according to research. While this issue affects people of all ages and backgrounds, studies show students may be particularly vulnerable to experiencing poor sleep as a result of late-night social media engagement on backlit screens. The blue light wavelengths emitted from digital devices actively suppress the body’s production of melatonin, the natural hormone that regulates sleep cycles. When exposed to screen time in the hours before bed, the brain remains stimulated and has a harder time transitioning into sleep mode. Clinical studies have demonstrated links between prolonged device use before bed and delayed onset of quality sleep, as well as shorter overall sleep duration. For students managing academic pressures, extracurricular activities and social lives, disruptions to sleep patterns from midnight media marathons can negatively impact cognitive performance, mental well-being and physical health over time. Establishing screen-free routines leading up to sleep provides the brain and body an opportunity to unwind and prepare naturally for restful slumber.
- Loneliness
Due to the lack of in person connection from social media addiction thus causes one to have trouble making friends and spending more time alone. Constantly feeling lonely and only having a connection with others through social media eventually leads to poor mental health. Although one may have many friends and followers on social media, this has affected how some make connections in real life. It is often said that the most popular people online are often the loneliest.
Excessive social media use can negatively impact real-world social skills and well-being. When digital interaction replaces in-person connection, it becomes more difficult to develop meaningful friendships, leading some to feel perpetually lonely despite large online networks. Clinical research has demonstrated links between social media addiction and poor mental health outcomes. Routinely choosing virtual validation over authentic human bonds erodes one’s ability to freely form relationships offline through face-to-face communication. Over-reliance on likes and comments to feel socially included can be psychologically damaging if not balanced with purposeful unplugging. Paradoxically, studies have found that individuals with the most online followers are sometimes the loneliest, lacking the protective effects of empathy, emotional support and companionship offered by close community. To prevent disconnection and safeguard mental wellness, experts recommend setting limits and prioritizing unmediated interactions to satisfy fundamental human needs for belonging that technology alone cannot fulfill. Moderation is key to harnessing social platforms’ benefits without compromising real-world social skills or happiness.
- Poor Academic Performance
Social media has also had a big impact on students grades, attention span, and drive to learn. For example the new trending app TikTok has endless videos which are usually only about 30 seconds long, this has had a huge impact on students and their ability to pay attention in classes for long periods of time. Social media itself is also a distraction that many don’t realize is very time consuming, teens today are averaging up to 8 hours and 39 minutes of screen time a day.
- Procrastination
Social media has had a huge impact on how much progress a person makes in school, work, and their daily life. It has been known that social media is one of the biggest distractions today. Students are found constantly using phones during school time which delays the amount of work and learning being done. While in the workplace, workers are either socializing or scrolling through social media affecting their ability to focus on their work. This also can affect one’s personal goals such as the gym for example.
- Social Skills
Social media allows us to connect with each other online which is easier than meeting with others in person. Although this is convenient, this has begun to affect how people are able to communicate with each other in real life. When communicating online you are allowed more time to think about an appropriate response to others while as in real life you are on the spot. Social media has also become a distraction in real life now that everyone is stuck to their phones, less in person interactions are happening.
- Unrealistic Standards
Beauty standards that are seen on social media have caused teens and young adults to feel the need to live up to always looking “picture ready”. While people and celebrities post on social media looking flawless people tend to forget that editing and photoshop plays a huge part. You rarely see someone’s true self on social media such as acne, stretch marks, cellulite, belly fat, etc. This has caused both comparison to others and low self esteem. Constantly seeing unrealistic bodies online leaves many with poor mental health due to the feeling of not looking perfect.
