Did you know that an estimated 69% of the world uses social media? That’s as of July 2022. Like the internet, social platforms provide users with benefits and drawbacks. Still, how can online social networking impact mental health?
Social platforms allow people to find, connect, and share with others. Research shows that social media may also negatively affect mental health. For example, sleep problems can lead to depression.
Family members, including women with children, may be concerned about the possible adverse effects of social media on household members’ mental health and well-being.
Please keep reading to learn more about trends in social media and mental health and online social networking’s potential positive and negative effects on users.
Trends in Social Media and Mental Health Decline
Adolescence itself can be a difficult time for youngsters. In 2019, the Pew Research Center suggested that anxiety and depression were problems among their peers.
Adolescence is a critical time for young people to develop good emotional and social habits, leading to adulthood. However, some studies show that social media often negatively affects teens’ mental health issues.
Social Media: A Trend of Troubled Teens
A study published in 2020 reported that mental health in teens in Ontario, Canada increased from 24% in 2013 to 39% four years later in 2017.
In addition, suicide rates among Canadian youngsters have increased in recent years. During this timeframe, social media use also skyrocketed among teens.
In the United States, statistics also show that depression, self-harm, and suicide rates are rising. For example, 89% of teens aged 13 to 17 own a smartphone, doubling from six years earlier. Meanwhile, 70% of the age group use social media at least twice daily.
U.S. Surgeon General Warning
In 2021, the U.S. Surgeon General provided an advisory regarding a mental health crisis among young adults. The Protecting Youth Mental Health advisory reported that social media was partly the cause of the situation.
The Surgeon General’s advisory reported that suicides among young people aged 10 to 24 increased by 57% between 2007 and 2018.
Social Media: A Brief History
Many experts recognize the 1997-launched Six Degrees as the internet’s first social media website. Users could make online friends and upload personal profiles. Popular social platforms launched in the 2000s included Facebook in 2004.
Today, Facebook is the world’s largest social network, with over 2.9 billion monthly active users.
A recent study reported that Facebook and Twitter users spent an average of two hours and 22 minutes daily on the platforms.
Many social media users have experienced benefits. However, spending too much time on social media has also produced mental health-related issues, including addiction and depression.
Potential Mental Health Drawbacks of Social Media
Here are some of the main possible disadvantages of social media on mental health.
Comparison With Others
Research shows that social media users can feel socially isolated due to comparing their lives with others. After they see people’s posts, they compare their lives with their peers or social connect groups.
These social media users judge whether they’re better or worse than their online friends. If they’re worse off, they can feel depressed.
Jealousy
After making comparisons with other people’s lives, some individuals can feel jealousy or hatred. For example, social media users sometimes envy others’ finances, lifestyles, cars, or children.
Afterward, a jealous person may then make social posts to cause their lives to appear better. This process can create a cycle of jealousy and later depression.
Addiction
Many mental health experts agree that the internet, social media, and video games can be addicting. People use social media for numerous reasons, such as boosting their mood.
However, people can feel distressed if they can’t use social media. As a result, they can become unable to control their social media usage, developing deep depression.
Sadness
A recent study connected social networks to social isolation. “Social discernment isolation” can devastate an individual’s mental and physical well-being.
One main goal of social media is to connect people. Ironically, it can also cause people to feel lonelier and more isolated. These emotions often lead to depression.
Virtual Friends vs. Real Friends
The world is becoming increasingly more mobile, resulting in factors like increased human diversity.
Some people incorrectly believe the number of social media friends they have shows how sociable they are. It’s more complicated. Research suggests the number of virtual friends a person can manage is limited.
Experts often recommend that people first seek real-life friends. Social media is a way to connect and interact with loved ones. However, problems can arise if you use it to pass the time or boost your mood.
Potential Mental Health Benefits of Social Media
Social media can also provide various mental health-related advantages.
Reduces Isolation and Loneliness
Social platforms allow people to interact and connect with friends and family. It can form a bridge between relatives in different countries, for example.
Social media can also help reduce boredom when people are alone. Also, social websites and applications can help people’s mental health and well-being.
Healthy Lifestyle Changes
Social media posts can help motivate you to reach healthy lifestyle goals. Research shows that social media allows people to announce and stay focused on such goals.
Some examples include people who want to lose weight or recover from alcohol addiction. Social networks can also help you stay motivated.
Social Support
People can use social media to make connections and share personal experiences. For example, you can receive motivational messages and daily advice if you’re seeking recovery. Such information can have a positive effect on your mental health.
Strengthens Relationships
Social media can help strengthen existing relationships, such as through online meetups. They can also do that regardless of where people are in the country or the world.
Social networking can also help people who can’t move easily due to issues like disability, injury, or old age. Options like Tweetups on Twitter can help improve mental health through interaction with loved ones.
Self Expression
Social media platforms help you share your ideas through peer collaboration and interaction.
Students can also share their assignments with a broader audience. They can improve their writing ability while sharing opinions and ideas.
Finding a Balance With Social Media
Finding balance is the key to using social media regarding mental health and well-being.
Finding Balance for Teens
These steps can help reduce the negative effects of social media on teens:
- Observe where teens spend their online time.
- Set “screen time” limits based on your children’s ages.
- Talk to your children about how social networks often report misinformation.
- Learn who your children are talking to on social platforms.
- Be a role model about internet and social media use.
- Talk to your children about topics like online friendships.
- Plan offline activities for your family.
- Teach children about other ways to entertain themselves or get information.
Helping your child find a healthy balance of their daily online and offline time can provide several benefits related to mental health and well-being.
Finding Balance for Adults
Here are some helpful tips for adults to help reduce the potential negative effects of social media on mental health and well-being:
Don’t forget real-life friends: Social media can help maintain long-distance relationships with friends and family. However, social media posts don’t provide the same interaction as a phone call or video chat.
Follow positive people and pages: Avoid social media feeds that are primarily negative or annoying. If necessary, mute, block, or unfollow them.
Instead, follow people and groups that make you happy. You can find several positive online resources like for career coaching.
Live in the moment: Avoid trying to share the perfect picture from every activity you do. Instead, put away your smartphone or digital camera and focus on savoring the moment.
Protect yourself online: Consider these steps. Check the privacy settings on your social media profiles. Keep webcams covered when you’re not using them. Most importantly, be careful providing personal information when signing up for apps and services.
Limit your social media time: A small study showed that limiting social media to less than 30 minutes daily helped promote happy moods and feelings. This approach frees up time for other activities.
Unplug now and then: You should consider taking a break from social media if it’s causing you to feel anxious, stressed, or depressed. “Unplugging” can help you reboot your mind and focus on what’s important in life.
Avoid social media at bedtime: The blue light from devices like phones can affect your sleep quality. Negative content can also affect your ability to doze off. Make sure to turn off devices about an hour before bedtime.
Use social platforms to promote mental health: You can find various online tools that help different aspects of mental health and well-being.
They include meditation apps and platforms to develop your sense of identity. You can also find online tools to try new activities like yoga or drawing.
Visit Diversity for Social Impact today to help promote human diversity and inclusion.
Reference
1. Most U.S. Teens See Anxiety and Depression as a Major Problem Among Their Peers https://www.pewresearch.org/social-trends/2019/02/20/most-u-s-teens-see-anxiety-and-depression-as-a-major-problem-among-their-peers/
Author Ruth Riley
Ruth Riley is an English Literature major. She taught all student levels, from pre-school to college — both in formal and informal settings. By utilizing her expertise in teaching and writing, she wishes to educate more people and provide insight regarding health and wellness. She also lends her knowledge as a woman and an educator by writing for MotherhoodCommunity.com.
