The Correlation Between Social Media and Mental Health
What do teenagers do on social media?
Many individuals may see social media as a rescue. The younger generation may be fooled into the scam of the virtual world. In reality, social media is an addiction, dragging young people into a deep hole, and destroying their mental health at the same time. Social media is a place where anyone can make a profile of their life at any time. Putting your life out onto a screen is an open invitation for judgment. Having your entire life judged on a screen can be terrifying for the youth in this world.
How much social media do teenagers use?
As it is seen by the Mayo Clinic, 97% of teenagers use at least one of multiple types of social media platforms. Along with this a 2019 study also done by the Mayo Clinic showed that “ more than 6,500 12-15-year-olds in the U.S. who spent more than three hours a day using social media might be at a heightened risk for mental health problems'' There is a clear correlation between social media usage and mental health effects. It is extremely concerning to see depression, anxiety, and other issues come to an all-time high because teenagers compare themselves online to the lives of others.
The fear of missing out
Another phenomenon seen with social media use is the fear of missing out, as some might call FOMO. The fear of missing out can be a dangerous phenomenon for teenagers around the world. An article from the website Help Guide states, “FOMO can compel you to pick up your phone every few minutes to check for updates, or compulsively respond to each and every alert- even if that means taking risks while you're driving, missing out on sleep on night, or prioritizing social media interaction over real-world relationships.” The evidence clearly shows that not only is social media a dangerous emotional risk but it is also putting the physical health of teenagers at risk. In this new age of technology, many young adults feel the need to be glued to their electronics, as if leaving a phone out of sight for a few minutes is life-threatening. This problem can lead to teenagers feeling heightened anxiety and depression about missing out on events or not looking to society's so-called standards.
How do teenagers really feel?
Along with the phenomenon of FOMO, social media poses the risk of teenagers feeling as though they are less than someone else. Being on any social media platform, young adults are exposed to seeing wealthy people's day-to-day lives. This in turn can cause any individual to feel regretful that their life does not look as glamorous as someone else's. Another statement in the Help Guide’s article says, “ But that doesn't lessen those feelings of envy and dissatisfaction when you're scrolling through a friend's airbrushed photos of their tropical beach holiday or reading about their exciting new promotion at work.” Every person posts only a glimpse of their life on social media. Many people face hardship and struggle in their day-to-day lives. While this can be clearly seen, many teenagers who may be struggling with symptoms of anxiety and depression may see these photos and wish to have a better life than the one they were given.
The argument for "Good Social Media"
Some may argue that social media can be perpetually good and will only make society as a whole a better place. The argument may stem from the fact that social media gives individuals an outlet for everything in the world. Anyone can text or call people at any time, you can see real-life events unfold from the palm of your hands, and you are able to post your life for everyone around to see. While social media was an advancement for the technological world, the side effects largely outway any sort of possible advancement.
Limiting the time spent on social media
Social media can improve work and communication, there should be a limit on the amount of time one individual spends on social media in one day. AN E-Book titled Logged In and Stressed Out states, “Studies show that the average American is spending more than 10 hours a day in front of their screens, suicide rates are at an all-time high, and mental health professionals are working hard to address social media’s role in this epidemic.” The association between hours of screen time and deteriorating mental health can be clearly seen.
The solution we can come to
To save the lives of many young adults in this world, experts need to come to a decision on how to fix this problem. One way shown to help teenagers become less dependent on their phones is the practice of actually putting them down and regulating screen time. If teenagers were put on a set schedule where they could only use their phones for social media for only a certain number of hours a day, this routine would become a habit. With less screen time and making a habit of putting the phone down, teenagers could see improvements in their mental health, and live a much happier, fulfilling life.
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