This article delves into the unique effects of social media on the mental health of young people, highlighting the increased propensity towards anxiety, higher probability of experiencing depression and isolation, and concerns about body image and self-esteem. It emphasizes the need to improve digital well-being among this vulnerable group by setting clear boundaries, participating in offline activities, and practicing regular digital detox.
Introduction
The use of social media has become ingrained in the daily routines of everyone, and it has a significant impact on the emerging adults’ interpersonal relationships, self-perception, and general mental health. This article goes at the unique effects that the use of social media may have on the mental health of young people. It investigates the possible adverse effects that might arise as a result of excessive use, such as increased anxiety and sadness, as well as issues over one’s body image. This article provides light on the distinct psychological impacts of social media on teenagers by analysing study results and the viewpoints of industry experts. It also emphasises the need of improving digital well-being among this vulnerable group.
A Greater Propensity Towards Experiencing Anxiety
Because adolescence/early adulthood is a period of substantial social and emotional growth, teenagers are at a unique developmental stage when they are more vulnerable to the adverse effects that social media may have on mental health. According to Boyd (2014), teenagers who are constantly exposed to well controlled lifestyles and idealised pictures on social media platforms may be more likely to engage in social comparison and report higher levels of anxiety. It’s possible that they’ll feel pressured to adapt to the unattainable beauty standards, lifestyles, or social expectations that are depicted online. You continuously feel the need to be connected and involved on social media, which may heighten feelings of anxiety (Boyd, 2014). Fear of missing out (FOMO) is another term for this feeling. This increased susceptibility to anxiety underscores how important it is to recognise the influence that social media has on the mental well-being and to take steps to mitigate that impact.
Increased Probability of Suffering from Depression and Isolation
Because of your stage of development as well as the impact of social media, you have a higher risk of suffering from depression and feeling cut off from their peers than adults do. According to Twenge (2017), engaging in excessive use of social media might lead to feelings of isolation and separation from interactions that occur in real life. Continual comparison with the online identities of peers that have been meticulously managed may lead to feelings of inadequacy, poor self-esteem, and depressive symptoms. Moreover, the practice of cyberbullying, which often takes place on social media platforms, may also have a profoundly detrimental effect on your mental health by worsening their feelings of sadness and social isolation (Kowalski et al., 2014). Because of the virtual nature of these encounters, there may be less chances for actual emotional support, the creation of meaningful relationships, and the cultivation of good coping strategies.
Concerns About One’s Body Image and Problems With One’s Self-Esteem
Concerns about one’s body image and troubles with one’s self-esteem are especially common among this group because of the effect of social media. According to Perloff (2014), the ubiquitous presence of idealised and often unachievable beauty standards on digital platforms might lead to feelings of dissatisfaction with one’s body as well as to disordered eating behaviours. Adolescents may continually compare their look to that of the well edited and filtered photos they come into contact with, which may result in poor body image views and a reduction in self-esteem (Perloff, 2014). It is essential to address these issues and encourage a positive self-image since the influence of social media on body image may have long-lasting implications on the mental health of teens.
Methods for Fostering a Healthy Relationship with Digital Technology in Adolescents
It is vital to develop methods that promote your digital well-being in order to counteract the detrimental influence that social media may have on your mental health. These initiatives include the following:
- Setting Clear Boundaries: Establishing clear boundaries and guidelines around social media usage can help you develop a healthy relationship with these platforms. Parents and guardians can work together with adolescents to define specific time limits for social media use, such as setting designated periods for checking social media or implementing technology-free zones in the house. Clear boundaries can help adolescents regulate their screen time and strike a balance between online engagement and other activities.
- Participating in Offline Activities: Engaging in offline activities can provide a much-needed break from the digital world. Participation in sports, hobbies, arts, or other activities promotes face-to-face interactions and real-world experiences.
- Practicing Digital Detox: Practicing regular digital detox periods can be beneficial for your mental health. Designate specific periods, such as weekends or vacations, where you disconnect from social media and digital devices. Engaging in activities like outdoor exploration, spending time in nature, reading books, or engaging in mindfulness exercises during these digital detox periods can promote a sense of rejuvenation and help you develop a healthier relationship with technology.
Conclusion
Because of the period of development you are currently in (as an emerging adult) and the specific issues you experience, you are especially susceptible to the negative impact that social media may have on your mental health. The excessive use of social media is related with a number of major repercussions, including increased anxiety and despair, as well as issues around body image. We can help mitigate the negative effects of social media in navigating the digital world while preserving mental well-being by implementing strategies that promote digital well-being.
References
Boyd, D. (2014). It’s complicated: The social lives of networked teens. Yale University Press.
Kowalski, R. M., Giumetti, G. W., Schroeder, A. N., & Lattanner, M. R. (2014). Bullying in the digital age: a critical review and meta-analysis of cyberbullying research among youth. Psychological bulletin, 140(4), 1073.
Perloff, R. M. (2014). Social media effects on young women’s body image concerns: Theoretical perspectives and an agenda for research. Sex roles, 71(11-12), 363-377.Twenge, J. M. (2017). iGen: Why today’s super-connected kids are growing up less rebellious, more tolerant, less happy–and completely unprepared for adulthood–and what that means for the rest of us. Simon and Schuster.
