Friendship is an essential part of every individual’s life. Social media has given youth the chance to communicate with others in an accessible and quick way. However, current studies describe the negative impact of social media on the mental health of youth, leading to more harm than good. Many social media platforms have gained popularity over the years. Young adults are absorbing and viewing information at a fast pace, from watching videos on YouTube and TikTok to posting images on Facebook and Instagram. Recent studies reveal that adults spend almost 5 hours 49 minutes on social media daily. Unfortunately, the content that they retain is not always healthy or helpful. When the impressionability of viewers in this age group is taken into account, this issue has become even more damaging. Every individual’s brain matures at different rates. Studies reveal that the mind is still developing cognitive, neural, and social pathways at the age of 18. Young adults who spend countless hours on social media are influenced by what they read and see. One study shows that children younger than eleven years who use Snapchat and Instagram are likely to have problematic digital behaviour. They also become victims of online harassment. The FOMO [fear of missing out] is real. It’s not easy for parents to limit or give up their child’s time on social media. According to a survey, 33 percent of girls 11-15 years old feel addicted to social media. More than half of teenagers say it would be difficult for them to give up social media.
Signs of Unhealthy Social Media Use
Some individuals use social media as a coping mechanism when they are emotionally disturbed, or others rely on social media for entertainment and connecting with friends. Individuals who struggle with anxiety and depression may go to social media to escape their lives and try to detach from the feeling of loneliness. There are a few warning signs that parents should not ignore.
- Unhealthy sleep pattern
- Isolating themselves from friends and family
- Avoiding face-to-face social interaction
- Being distracted from work or school
- Worsening symptoms of depression and anxiety
- Comparing themselves unfavorably to others
- Engaging in risky behaviors to gain attention or lying on social media
Youth experience many challenges of social media, but they do not realize it until someone points it out. Once they realize how toxic social media is and how negatively it impacts their life, it becomes easy for them to distinguish bad stuff from good. The negative impact of social media not only stems from what viewers are reading or seeing, but it also depends on how they react to the information.
Eating Disorder and Body Image
Social comparison is common on social media, especially on image-based platforms. Profiles that focus on plastic surgery, fitness, or eating disorders can be recommended to users and influence values and norms around beauty. Editing selfies using cropping, filters, or editing one’s appearance is related to negative self-esteem.
Feeling of Inadequacy
Social media does not always portray reality accurately. Several posts on social media have been manipulated or filtered to look better than they actually are. People only post good moments of their lives on social media. No one posts bad moments of their life. Youth get impressed; they think other people’s lives are perfect. For example, people do not post about missing a trip because they could not afford the expenses; they only post a picture when they go on a fun vacation. Frequently, individuals compare their success, lifestyle, or appearance to what they see on social media. This can lead to feelings of isolation, inadequacy, and dissatisfaction.
FOMO
FOMO means a feeling of missing out when someone is not included in social settings. Social media allows people to share status, posts, and stories. Viewers who are not present feel left out. When viewers watch other people post their happy moments, it fuels the feeling of inadequacy. It makes them feel they are missing out on certain situations. FOMO triggers anxiety and also hurts self-esteem. Individuals experiencing FOMO via social media find themselves more involved in something online, checking phones every second for alerts and updates. Rather than providing anxiety-reducing benefits, social media introduces anxiety-inducing experiences.
Cyberbullying
Cyberbullying destroys mental health. It not only affects teenagers and young children. Older generations and young adults are also affected by cyberbullying. The internet is the perfect place to publicize hurtful and false information without the risk of being admonished. People can easily spread lies and rumours about anyone by hiding behind fake profiles and screen names.
It is hard to hold them accountable for the harm they cause to others. The effects of cyberbullying can be long lasting and seriously damage the mental health of the affected people. Cyberbullying can lead to suicidal thoughts or self-harm. Individuals who face cyberbullying may develop mental health disorders such as depression and anxiety.
Isolation, Anxiety, Depression
Social media has a detrimental effect on those who are struggling with anxiety, depression, and isolation. No doubt social media is a great way to connect with loved ones who are not close. On-screen interaction can not be enough to fuel a balanced life. During the pandemic, college students reported having increased symptoms of suicidal ideation, anxiety, depression, loneliness, and stress. Numerous surveys of college students reported that their mental health has been devastated by pandemic situations and economic and social consequences.
Harmful Content
Harmful content such as self-harm depictions, illegal substance selling accounts, child sexual abuse, or violence can be found on social media. This kind of content has a great impact on the minds of the new generation.
Sleep Deprivation
Continuous use of social media for entertainment disturbs the sleep cycle. Phone use before bedtime may lead to emotional, psychological, or physiological arousal. Digital activities that demand a person’s full attention can delay sleep and increase heart rate. Young adults living in the digital world always have to face the challenges of social media. Several ways can help to prevent social media dependency and unhealthy use.
- Limit screentime
- Do not scroll before bedtime
- Delete social media apps
- Disable alerts and notifications