My view



Social media and their impact on mental health

Social networks are already an integral part of life for most young people today. In many ways, they can be beneficial and offer many new opportunities. They connect people across the world, enable remote relationships and connect users with the same interests in the community. Nevertheless, they are often very harmful to the psyche of an individual and can have unpleasant effects on real life. What impact do social networks have on the mind?

Social networks can reduce self-confidence has long been discussed with their criticism. One of the reasons this may be the case is the constant confrontation with the seemingly perfect lives of other people. As a result, some users' Instagram accounts seem like sweet fairy tales and have little to do with reality.

The problem is that we can feel the effects on our self-confidence even when we know that Instagram contributions are not always a reflection of reality. Feelings of dissatisfaction with the fact that someone else is better than us persist. It is not always about envy but about the sense of "I will never be like him or her," which is always reflected in our self-confidence.

However, not only viewing faked photos can reduce self-confidence. It also depends on the reactions we get to our contributions. If our expectations of the number of positive responses are high and do not come true, it leads to feelings of inferiority and loss of self-confidence. Many people can feel like they are not good enough, fun, or beautiful. Not to mention the hurtful comments that some users can make. What effect does that virtual world full of tinsel have on the mental health of us all? How does it affect our self-confidence and satisfaction? (Zia Sherrell, 2021)

Social networks can undoubtedly be a source of joy or other positive emotions. However, research suggests that their excessive use can lead to anxiety, depression, and feelings of loneliness. One of the reasons is the misconception, as mentioned earlier, of other users as happier, more friendly, and more successful than we are. (Holland G, Tiggemann M.2016)

Social networks are primarily used to communicate with friends or people in general. However, it is necessary to realize that they can never fully replace accurate social contact. Relationships have such a positive impact on our health, mainly because they are associated with face-to-face interactions. Chatting may bring a temporary feeling of happiness, but in the long run, it is entirely insufficient. (Naslund, J.A., Bondre, A., Torous, J. et al.2020)

The theory of objective self-awareness states that whenever we become an object and not a subject, the positive impression of ourselves is reduced. Furthermore, when are we the object? Whenever we perceive ourselves "from the outside," Typically looking in a mirror, listening to your voice, or writing a resume. We create our profiles and often look back at older posts using social networks. So we look at ourselves as an object. According to this theory, social networks can result in lower self-esteem. (Silvia & Duval, 2001; Wicklund, 1975)

Social networks, especially Facebook and Instagram, are coming up with a new culture. With a culture in which it is almost impossible not to be well and not enjoy life to the fullest. Although we all know that everyone shares only the bright moments of their lives, our natural tendency to compare this fact ignores this simple fact. Social networks have brought a lot of new opportunities and threats into our lives. In my opinion, the virtual world of social networks cannot be condemned as an apparent perpetrator of evil. On the contrary, social networks also mean a lot of new opportunities and socialization. Nevertheless, we need to choose carefully whom we will follow and what we will pay attention to. 

photo by: pinterest

References:

Naslund, J.A., Bondre, A., Torous, J. et al. Social Media and Mental Health: Benefits, Risks, and Opportunities for Research and Practice. J. technol. Behav. sci. 5, 245–257 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s41347-020-00134-x

Naslund, J.A., Bondre, A., Torous, J. et al. Social Media and Mental Health: Benefits, Risks, and Opportunities for Research and Practice. J. technol. behav. sci. 5, 245–257 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s41347-020-00134-x


https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/social-media-and-mental-health

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