Social Media’s Role in the Decline of Mental Health

Technology has taken over our lives and social media arose as a result. From Facebook, to Snapchat, to Instagram, social media has connected people all over the world. As of January 2022, 58.4% of the world’s population use social media, which is 4.5 billion out of 7.7 billion of the world’s population, and according to the 2015 Common Sense survey, teens spend more than nine hours each day online. Despite some positive impacts, social media has had detrimental effects on individuals mental health.

Social media has fuelled feelings of anxiety, isolation, and depression. Humans require human connection to improve one’s mental health, but social media is not a replacement for that as some people may think. Humans need in-person connections to trigger hormones that make them feel happier, at ease, and less stressed. Engaging in too much social media can make individuals feel more isolated and lonelier. Social media promotes many negative side effects like depression, inadequate feelings regarding one’s life, fear of missing out (FOMO), isolation, anxiety, self-absorption, and cyberbullying. Many individuals often post content in the hopes of a positive response; they want to feel liked and accepted.

In a 2018 British study, social media causes disrupted and delayed sleep, which can lead to depression, memory loss, and poor academic performance. Poor mental health can also stem into poor physical health. According to research, the mind and gut are connected; as a result, anxiety and depression can lead to nausea, headaches, and muscle tensions. Social media has exposed individuals to be subjected to cyberbullying. In a 2020 survey, more than half the 6, 000 individuals surveyed from age 10 to 18 said they were cyber bullied.

Social media has started to rule our lives. It is a vicious cycle. The more we use social media, the more we feel lonely and resort back to social media. Social media has caused a decline in mental health across the world, and the only way to get it under control is to watch out for how much you use social media because it can unknowingly affect us.

If you are struggling with your mental health, there are many resources you can reach to: guidance, MOBYSS, and Kids Help Phone.