In an age where social networks rule the roost of our lives and infiltrate every dimension of it, it is of utmost significance to know its profound effect, fundamentally, on people’s mental health. Social media influences people’s emotional state vividly; they often do not know and, a lot of times, underestimate it. Within this exploratory research paper, we will dig deep into the intricacies of this bond, emphasizing its value and impartiality and urge for a more sophisticated perception.
Firstly, social media has led to a big revolution in perception, information sharing, and connection methods worldwide. The lifetime of people is filled with various social networks, both national and public, where it is given way to self-expression, communities, and close collaboration(Abbasi). On the one hand, the apparent effects are optimistic as we become a happier version of ourselves, physically and mentally. Nevertheless, deeper than this lie more important obstacles that we must overcome, particularly those related to the mental health states of the people.
The new driving force concerning this matter is “social media addiction.” Research revealed that the prolonged use of social media may manifest in cellular impairment like anxiety, depression, and poor self-esteem. The endless competition with people around, the desire to put up a shiny persona that promotes self-esteem, and the urge to be a part of the crowd are the chief elements responsible for developing this circle of addictive behavior.
Not only does this revolution have a dark side, as cyberbullying and harassment add a new dimension to mental health issues, but the most vulnerable groups, such as adolescents, experience negative consequences of this development(Kircaburun et al.). Instant and wide range of these platforms have made it very convenient for people to commit abusive behaviors with impunity, leaving victims in helplessness and isolation.
Additionally, it is essential to consider the fact that social media affects how people perceive themselves and treat their bodies. It can often be the filter of the pictures and an unnatural beauty ideal that Instagram releases to encode formulation of body dissatisfaction and disordered eating, particularly with youngsters. The ceaseless presence of the images extrudes a deformed perception of the real world that makes people less content or sometimes even makes them feel uninteresting and inadequate.
Nevertheless, the two sides of the coin should be considered, and social media can also be pro-mental health. When mindfully used, they can become channels of use, helping society’s mentally ill people in their support networks and resources (Ottewell). All social media networks established to advocate for mental health awareness provide a safe place where individuals can share their stories, seek advice, and request professional help.
Additionally, social media has been the perfect platform for informing the public about mental health issues and reducing stigma. Campaigns like #EndTheStigma and #BellLetsTalk have pushed forward many conversations focusing on issues people are often embarrassed to mention (Ward and Barry). Moreover, there is less judgment, and individuals are encouraged to seek help.
Although social media may bring to the next level many advantages to our lives, depression and anxiety that come with it should not be dismissed. To effectively tackle such problems, we need to accept them and ensure that there is a healthier online environment. Though these ideas have the potential to enhance online experiences, they are still developing, and we need to explore more about them and their effects on the online experience of individuals.
TV viewers and platform developers need to take the effects of social media seriously to mitigate these effects. Individuals have reasonable limits on the time they use social media, care for themselves, and have a good support team. So, for platform developers, this means that they need to develop tight policies that ban cyberbullying, help promote mental health resources, and introduce features that a user must not be healthy.
In addition, social media users are taught how to responsibly use it in their interactions online through education (“Report: Mental Health among Toughest Global Health Challenges”). Digital literacy, critical thinking skills, and resilience building must be key strategies of mental health education in the digital age.
In conclusion, social media and mental health connections have been found to have both positive effect and negative effects as well. By understanding this relationship’s intricate nature and adopting positive measures to minimize its harmful outcomes, we can use these social media tools to promote good mental health and develop a healthier virtual world.
Work Cited
Abbasi, Irum Saeed. “Social Media Addiction in Romantic Relationships: Does User’s Age Influence Vulnerability to Social Media Infidelity?” Personality and Individual Differences, vol. 139, no. 139, Mar. 2019, pp. 277–80, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.paid.2018.10.038.
Summary: In her study, Abbasi (2019) discusses the consequences of social media addiction on romantic relationships and whether the vulnerability to social media infidelity differs based on young or old partners.
How the source adds value to the research: Through his research, Abbasi finds new value in a particular aspect of social media addiction in a romantic relationship, together with the age aspect of potential sensitivity to social media infidelity. This, in turn, makes the whole subject need to be examined at close range in order to have a more profound comprehension of intricate relationships between people in digital connections.
Kircaburun, Kagan, et al. “Uses and Gratifications of Problematic Social Media Use among University Students: A Simultaneous Examination of the Big Five of Personality Traits, Social Media Platforms, and Social Media Use Motives.” International Journal of Mental Health and Addiction, vol. 18, no. 18, May 2020, https://doi.org/10.1007/s11469-018-9940-6.
Summary: Students ‘ problematic social media usage in college
How source adds value to the research: In the Kircaburun et al. study, data were collected from university students about their personalities, platforms, and reasons for use together. This will reveal which characteristic is associated with which platform and which motive.
Ottewell, Namino. “Stigma against Mental Illness: Perspectives of Mental Health Service Users.” Mental Health & Prevention, vol. 4, no. 3–4, Sept. 2019, pp. 115–23, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mhp.2016.10.001.
Summary: How stigma towards mental health service users is being addressed based on their own goals and views.
How source adds value to the research: Ottewell’s research extends the scientific base by reporting the general experiences of mental health service consumers, enriching the comprehension of stereotypes against mental issues, and helping to outline anti-stigma approaches.
“Report: Mental Health among Toughest Global Health Challenges.” Mental Health Weekly, vol. 28, no. 36, Sept. 2018, pp. 8–0, https://doi.org/10.1002/mhw.31603.
Ward, Louise, and Sinead Barry. “The Mental Health Master Class : An Innovative Approach to Improving Student Learning in Mental Health Nursing.” International Journal of Mental Health Nursing, vol. 27, no. 5, Feb. 2018, pp. 1501–10, https://doi.org/10.1111/inm.12450.
Summary: An inventive master class that provides academic growth for mental health nursing education.
How the source adds value to the research: This study proposes a pathway for a future-focused educational strategy in mental health nursing. If it becomes more successful in the future, it will help the students and, as the students have an effect on the field, education methodology as well.
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