The Effects of Social Media on Mental Health
Social media has been around for a few decades now. Facebook, Instagram, Tiktok, and X all have millions of users. People can spend hours on their social media. Some even build careers off it and become influencers. There are a lot of benefits that come with staying connected, but social media has also proven that it can be harmful.
Pros of Social Media
Social media is popular for a reason. In fact, according to Pew Research Center, a think tank, around 72% of Americans are active on some form of social media. Some social media sites allow people to stay connected with their friends and family when they otherwise can’t. Social media can also allow people to meet others with similar interests, identities, or backgrounds. In turn, this has a positive effect on mental health, as staying social can be extremely beneficial.
Social media provides a medium for people that either have difficulty being social in real life or can’t find time to see their loved ones in person. Meeting others that have similar passions or hobbies is easier than ever through the use of hashtags and forums. This can allow for more sociability online. This is especially crucial in times like the COVID-19 pandemic, where social interaction was limited.
Cons of Social Media
Social media is not without its fair share of cons. Many people choose to stay away from social media because of the potential negative effects on mental health. Cyberbullying is a prominent issue, especially in young social media users. A study done by the Annapolis Police Department states that almost 42% of kids have been cyberbullied.
There are other dangers that come from using social media in an unsafe way. It’s best to exercise caution when talking to strangers online, catfishing and grooming are prevalent issues. People also tend to compare themselves to others when using social media, which can be detrimental to their self-image. Social media more often than not has a negative effect on self-esteem.
How Much is Too Much?
How much time an individual spends on social media will vary. It depends on how, where, and why they use social media. Staying up to date with loved ones is important, but too much social media use can be harmful. Fake news, doom-scrolling, and trolls are threats that arise from spending too much time online. Limiting time spent on social media can be extremely beneficial to mental health and self-confidence.
Conclusion
There are both pros and cons of using social media. Acknowledging both is the first step to figuring out how to navigate and use social media. Social media can have a huge impact on one’s life, and learning how to detect bots, avoid doom-scrolling, and stay away from negativity is more important than ever. Mental health is important to maintain, and it’s critical to understand the factors that may negatively affect mental health.
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