Impact-of-Social-Media-on-Mental-Health

Impact of Social Media on Mental Health

Social media is a technology with a lot of wonderful benefits. Social media has a reinforcing nature. Using it activates the brain’s reward center by releasing dopamine, a “feel-good chemical” linked to pleasurable activities such as food, and social interaction. With so many positive and negative effects, it’s important that we take a hard look at social media and mental health. In this blog post, we explain the impact and tips that how we can use social media.

The Negative Impact of Social Media on Mental Health

Since it’s a relatively new technology, there’s little research to establish the long-term consequences, good or bad, of social media use. Most teenagers spend up to 8 hours on social media every day, and none of them truly realize the effect it has on them until it’s too late. Even if you know that images you’re viewing on social media are manipulated, they can still make you feel insecure about how you look or what’s going on in your own life.

Another negative impact is cyberbullying. About 10 percent of teens report being bullied on social media and many other users are subjected to offensive comments. Social media platforms such as Twitter can be hotspots for spreading hurtful rumors, lies, and abuse that can leave lasting emotional scars.

Finally, FOMO(Fear of missing out) is another negative impact. The constant need to check social media can lead to addictive behavior and a preoccupation with likes and followers. While FOMO has been around far longer than social media, sites such as Facebook and Instagram seem to exacerbate feelings that others are having more fun or living better lives than you are. FOMO can compel you to pick up your phone every few minutes to check for updates, or compulsively respond to each and every alert.

The Positive Impact of Social Media on Mental Health

While virtual interaction on social media doesn’t have the same psychological benefits as face-to-face contact, there are still many positive ways in which it can help you stay connected and support your wellbeing. Social media can provide a sense of community and belonging.

Social media enables you to:

  • Join or promote worthwhile causes; raise awareness on important issues.
  • Seek or offer emotional support during tough times.
  • Discover (with care) sources of valuable information and learning.
  • Find vital social connection if you live in a remote area, for example, or have limited independence, social anxiety, or are part of a marginalized group.

Tips to use Social media in Healthy Way

  1. Set boundaries: Set limits on how much time you spend on social media each day. This can help reduce feelings of FOMO and addiction.
  2. Follow positive accounts: Follow accounts that promote positivity, self-care, and mental health awareness.
  3. Take breaks: Take regular breaks from social media to give your mind a break and reduce feelings of anxiety.
  4. Don’t compare yourself to others: Remember that social media is often a highlight reel, and people tend to share only the best parts of their lives. Avoid comparing yourself to others and focus on your own journey.

Conclusion

All of this is not to say that there’s no benefit to social media—obviously it keeps us connected across great distances, and helps us find people we’d lost touch with years ago. But getting on social when you have some time to kill, or, worse, need an emotional lift, is very likely a bad idea. By setting boundaries, following positive accounts, taking breaks, and avoiding comparison, you can use social media in a healthy way that promotes mental well-being.

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