Is Social Media Too Dangerous for Our Mental Health?
Social media has had many positive effects in our day-to-day lives. The flow of news and being informed of the newest trends and what celebrities are doing is entertaining for most. However, the direct effect that it leaves on our mental health is undeniable. From loneliness, depression, and delusion, we will explore the impact of social media in this article and offer practical tips to protect yourself.
In research done by the American Psychological Association, it was shown that spending long hours using social media will put you at risk of anxiety and depression. The reason is the toxic environment it can create because of the existence of cyberbullying and comparing oneself with others. It also harbors the ideas of some toxic figures that will not be mentioned in this article and simply normalizes them eventually.
The Common Issues Linked to Social Media
FOMO:
The Fear of Missing Out ! In this state, the person is disconnected from real-life presence and mostly thinks about what’s happening on social media. This “fear” will make him addicted to social media because he doesn’t want to miss out on any important news that is viral now.
Depression:
The long use of social media will cause sadness and loneliness, and this is because of the constant comparisons that one draws in their mind to others without knowing the reality of their life. Adding to that, being exposed to negative people and bullies can add more to the problem.
Anxiety:
This problem is the other side of its former. It’s about the people who tend to create a perfect persona for themselves online, making them worry and overthink what their next step should be and how it will affect their image. This issue can cause feelings of inadequacy and worry about not measuring up, at its lowest form.
How to Protect Your Mental Health from Social Media ?
Try to control your time on social media and set specific limits for its use. Platforms like Instagram and Facebook have very useful tools that help you manage time and usage.
Unfollow any account that may give you a negative vibe, and try to avoid going from genre to genre because that will disrupt your feelings and change their state according to what you’re watching.
Eventually, take regular breaks from social media or specific platforms to detox yourself from any probable negative side effects.
Final Take
There is no denying that social media has many positive benefits, but it is important to know the probable issues of its overuse. Because of that, one should set boundaries and seek support if needed. Don’t forget to put your phone away when spending time with friends and family.
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