Women, men, the honourable guests here present, and other comrades in arms!
Mental health and its relation to social media is a subject area that has taken centre stage in life today. However, as we move through the labyrinth of cyberspace, we have to consider both sides of the coin in terms of its impact on our psychological health.
Due to this, social media has effortlessly become part and parcel of modern society, even in our current age of persistent connectivity. This is to remember other types of posts, such as tweets and shares, which we get at the snap. The resultant environment creates images in our minds, manipulates our feelings, and alters our mental well-being. This should involve studying the multi-dimensional aspect of the issue.
We start with recognizing unquestionable statistics that demonstrate the rampant power of social networks. Pew Research Center’s wide-ranging study shows that 95 per cent of teens in America own smartphones, and more than 50 per cent report being online almost constantly. Young minds have a difficult task trying to create an online identity in this rugged terrain of adolescents who are constantly scrutinised. It is clear on their mental health as research shows that it is associated with more anxiety and depression when there is an overuse of social media. Next is a journey of transition into adulthood story. According to Brusilovskiy et al., 2016, internet user spends almost 2.5 hours per day on social media.
Additionally identifies other forms of art that are closely related to poetry. Adults in the US spend about 2 hours and 31 minutes on these platforms annually. The more we engage in the virtual world, questions will inevitably emerge concerning our state of mind as well as how this digital environment affects us.
Social media has also penetrated even sacred relations and marriages. One such study from Computers in Human Behavior sheds light on this effect, showing that too much Facebook use leads to unhappy relationship outcomes such as jealousy and dissatisfaction with relations (Brusilovskiy et al., 2016). However, even in the context of modern technologies designed to unite us, we are prone to many mental complications affecting a person’s psychological state and mutual relationships.
Though percentages may vary in different surveys and places, one thing is undeniable – social media has become a part of us. Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter are today’s indispensable tools for communicating and expressing oneself. Nonetheless, as we rejoice in this connectedness, it behoves us to scrutinize its effect on our psychological health (Brusilovskiy et al., 2016). Statistics call for us to face up to these challenges and create intelligent schemes of learning and digitally literate programs which could help to manage this brave new world.
Many studies have highlighted the relationship between overusing social media and several mental disorders and illnesses. As spending more hours on digital platforms increases, so does anxiety, depression, and the feeling of loneliness (Brusilovskiy et al., 2016). The question that arises then is not how social media affects our well-being but rather how much and how we deal with its adverse outcomes.
The negative impact is multifaceted. Online personalities generated through constant contrast create unachievable benchmarks and widespread feelings of inferiority. Although superficially benign, the quest for likes and virtual endorsements weakens self-confidence and instils self-doubt throughout one’s life. Another dark aspect of online interaction is cyberbullying, which makes mental health problems even worse, especially in young people. Still, though, in the darkness, there is light (Brusilovskiy et al., 2016). When employed strategically, social media can act as a formidable source of support, awareness and bonding. We, therefore, need to know how properly to use it in order to benefit our joint mental health.
The effects that social media has on mental health cannot be fully appreciated without examining these various elements of it. It is essential to acknowledge the fact that the insistent comparison that goes on on social media platforms is one of the major causes of mental health problems experienced nowadays. Celebrity lifestyles and many influencers post images that present impeccable appearances, creating a standard that people might want to emulate (Brusilovskiy et al., 2016). A perverted reality stemming from a search for a flawless photograph and ideal lifestyle may prove harmful to psychological wellness. Collapse
Secondly, seeking social endorsement in the forms of likes, sharing, and commenting creates a platform on which one’s self-worth is tied to online approvals. Online validation produces dopamine in the brain and triggers a dopamine-driven reward system, which is an example of addiction (Brusilovskiy et al., 2016). It is essential to get out of that cycle by rethinking the ways in which we measure our worth and broaden our perception of what it means to be successful in life.
Cyberbullying also portrays a negative face of social media’s influence. The anonymity offered by the digital space enables people to act more wickedly than they would do with physical meetings. These results are detrimental and leave victims vulnerable to extreme anxiety, depression, and suicidal ideation (Chen et al., 2017). Overcoming it will require all of us to create an online-friendly environment guided by care and love rather than hatred.
However, we should remember that social media does not only have a negative effect. Despite contributing to mental health problems, such platforms help raise support and awareness. Individuals feel as if they belong and are understood by other people because mental problems are not entirely accepted by society; as such, they seek comfort in online communities that discuss mental health issues. Shared experiences and mutual support are fundamental aspects of power. We need to pursue a fair path while tackling these complexities regarding this issue. It is by no means necessary or advisable to shy away from social media altogether simply because it has its potential dangers or pitfalls (Chen et al., 2017). However, it advocates for reviewing digital habits as well as adopting tactics that aid in reducing the risk factors.
This process entails that education becomes an important instrument. There is a need for users’ education programs that will show them how they ought to behave when consuming their daily dose of social media. If this happens, people get enlightened and are better placed to traverse the virtual environment with vigilance. Individuals need to understand the psychological implications of online interactions and know how to spot mental health problems (Chen et al., 2017). We should provide people with enough tools to enable them to make the right choices and thus engender a generation of responsible digital citizens in society.
The second thing is that individuals are not the only ones responsible; it also lies on the platforms themselves. Users themselves form the digital narrative, but social media companies can contribute to such a narrative by ensuring the protection of their online communities. These include the provision of mechanisms that enhance harmonious relationships, deter destructive actions, and avail mental counselling facilities (Chen et al., 2017). These are crucial elements of building a safer online space, i.e., transparent algorithms and ethical advertising practices.
However, the call for action goes beyond mere understanding and awareness in our search for a healthier digital environment. All of those changes should come with our active involvement. Talking openly about mental illness at school, church, work or on social networks is a crucial component of eliminating mental illness stigma (Chen et al., 2017). Through this, we build a community in which we get an opportunity to share our lived experiences as well as provide emotional support for each other.
To this end, let me share some practical tips that each one of us can incorporate into our digital lives to foster a healthier relationship with social media:
Therefore, as we look into the complex interplay of psychological well-being among the youths and its linkage with social media, attention must be placed on both the problems associated with excessive exposure to these online resources and workable measures one ought to follow in order to build a healthy attitude towards such Social media’s influence is fluid, dependent on one’s decisions and conduct. Hence, we are going to look at some practical tips that everyone should include when dealing with social media in order to develop better and healthier relationships with digital technology.
Set Limits:
The first step in leading a healthy digital lifestyle is setting limits on when and how you interact with social media. Refrain from letting this become a total presence, which eats into your important real-life considerations. It is important to reserve some time slots specifically for social media in order to have a balanced approach (Chen et al., 2017). Deciding when to connect online and when to disconnect means taking back the power of your digital communications to enrich, not diminish, your health.
Connect with Others:
It is essential to harness the beneficial side of social media and turn it into an actual link. It would help if you had productive discussions, be in relevant groups depending on what you like and, above all create relations online. This means changing from a static scrolling to an active and exciting one (Chen et al., 2017). You also develop an online community where you can discuss items which are relevant to you by engaging in those conversations.
Curate Your Feed:
Understand that you are in charge of what happens in your digital space, and you can choose to create a virtual environment that inspires you and makes you feel happy and motivated. Unfollow the accounts that make you feel bad emotionally. Hang out around positive vibes that will make you want more of life (Chen et al., 2017). What you receive in your system is also what comes out of it; thus, shaping your moods and attitude can be determined mainly by the kind of content you receive.
Create a Safe Space:
Having learned about curating your feed, engage with building an online positive community. Be kind, considerate, and friendly during your social relations. You also help create a supportive digital environment where mental wellness remains paramount (Chen et al., 2017). You construct the virtual world around yourself with your actions and involvement. Thus, it would be best if you consciously promoted a constructive and non-discriminatory environment.
Mindful Engagement:
Mindful engagement is about knowing what, why and how much you use social media. It is essential to do regularly reflect on why we interact digitally, where it comes from and what it does to us (Chen et al., 2017). Analyze your digital culture and make sure it supports you health-wise. Participation for mindfulness purposes directs one’s usage of social media rather than mindless scrolling, leading towards more meaningful and constructive interactions for society online.
Be Active, Not Passive:
Make your social network participation more than just a monologue where you share your views and leave no room for discussion. Do not just be a passive consumer in the digital dialogue; actively participate in it. Share your perceptions, beliefs, or opinions on any topic. Dialogue is part of a more prosperous and more profound online experience that involves contribution as well as connecting yourself to the digital world meaningfully (Kross et al., 2021). Being actively involved in social media allows you to control how your image is projected on the internet.
Take Breaks:
Learn when to disengage from social media; know how to get some space. The benefits of a digital detox include a reprieve from technology and clearer thinking. Take this opportunity to get back into your social life: spend more time in nature and away from screens (Kross et al., 2021). Taking a break from the non-stop flow of information resets your mind and energizes it into healthier use of social media.
Take Control:
Therefore, control your involvement with social media. Please recognize that you are behind the wheel and that social media exists to help improve your mental health rather than jeopardize it. Use your values to actively mould your digital experience so as to be in tune with what is essential for you. You take power back into your hands by making deliberate decisions about how the digital landscape impacts your interactions and by shaping its influence on every aspect of your existence (Kross et al., 2021). By adopting these practical approaches, we not only equip ourselves to tread responsibly in the digital world but also contribute towards a broader discourse on responsible social media utilization. Only through collective actions can we help create a digital world that promotes mental health, community, and emotional support.
The role of social media in mental health problems is thus complicated and needs to be addressed by everyone together. At this juncture, the digital arena provides numerous positives, but multiple obstacles also characterize it. Let us confront this issue instead of avoiding it, with the aim of providing equitable treatment and prioritizing the welfare of individuals.
I appreciate your time so much, and let us endeavour into this path for a healthier digital lifestyle.
References
Brusilovskiy, E., Townley, G., Snethen, G., & Salzer, M. S. (2016). Social media use, community participation and psychological well-being among individuals with serious mental illnesses. Computers in Human Behavior, 65, 232-240. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S074756321630601X
Chen, H. T., & Li, X. (2017). The contribution of mobile social media to social capital and psychological wellbeing: Examining the role of communicative use, friending and self-disclosure. Computers in Human Behavior, 75, 958-965. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0747563217303825
Kross, E., Verduyn, P., Sheppes, G., Costello, C. K., Jonides, J., & Ybarra, O. (2021). Social media and wellbeing: Pitfalls, progress, and next steps. Trends in cognitive sciences, 25(1), 55–66. https://www.cell.com/trends/cognitive-sciences/fulltext/S1364-6613(20)30251-5?dgcid=raven_jbs_etoc_email
write