The era of MySpace and desktop instant messaging has evolved into pocket-sized supercomputers that put the world at your fingertips. Amid this change, researchers predict that social media may have undesirable effects on mental health in the future.
Looking back over the decades of social media, the impact of social media on mental health becomes clear and young people are at the center of the discussion.
One of the most comprehensive studies on the issue comes from the U.S. Surgeon General, whose 2023 Recommendations on Social Media and Adolescent Mental Health pinpoint some of the negative effects of apps on youth from elementary school to college. is pointed out. The study shows that while social media has its benefits, mental health concerns related to the sites are on the rise.
Ever since apps like Instagram and Snapchat rose to prominence alongside flaw-fixing filters and photo editing software like FaceTune, the disconnect between what's real and what's enhanced online has become a sticking point for some users. It has become.
This comparative nature can affect self-esteem. Social comparisons facilitated by social media are often associated with symptoms of body anxiety, eating disorders, and depression in adolescents, a study found.
Carrie Johnston Feldman, a psychology professor at California State University, Fullerton, says when young people fixate on edited, curated, and glorified versions of others online, they create a cycle of comparison and the end result they're pursuing. Although things are realistic, they are often unattainable.
“People go out there and present this kind of false self, and that's what you compare yourself to,” Johnston Feldman said. “And that can lead to a lot of feelings of sadness and depression, and it can irritate your self-esteem.”
Paul Perez, a third-year communications major, started using social media in middle school, when the platform started gaining popularity among his peers. To this day, he draws the line at minimizing his Instagram usage.
“I'm definitely more focused and in tune with my family and my life in general,” Perez said.
Whether it's a lack of connection in the classroom or a newfound sense of being “identified” at the gym, Perez believes that the presence of social media has changed the social interactions of different walks of life and that this new era of social scene and We believe in connecting social media influence. About mental health.
According to Johnston Feldman, social interaction and mental health are closely linked.
She cited the relationship between the two, highlighting that friends and social support can act as a buffer for people with mental health issues.
Research shows that social media remains popular due to its addictive nature, where each like or comment rewards our brains with dopamine, making us want more.
As a licensed marriage and family therapist, she has seen her teenage clients overuse social media and be unable to look away, even though it is clearly taking a toll on their mental health. She points out that when this happens to teens, parents can intervene by regulating screen time. However, the situation is different for university students.
“One foot is still in childhood or adolescence, and the other foot is in the adult world,” Johnston Feldman said.
The link between depression and anxiety and social media is also driven by its saturation of shocking and explicit content, Johnston Feldman said. Where once people relied on the news to learn about the darkest current events, social media now brings everything from serious world events to videos of tragic accidents to the forefront. Masu.
The study notes that such blatant exposure not only causes poor mental health, but can also exacerbate existing psychological conflicts.
“When you watch these videos, bad videos where someone dies, you're basically witnessing it as if you were there,” Perez said.
Researchers suggest being mindful of how much time you spend on social media, from social comparisons to anxiety-provoking content. The Surgeon General cited a study that found that limiting social media use to 30 minutes a day for three weeks significantly reduced the severity of depression in college students.
All in all, Johnston Feldman recommends that young people evaluate the weight of the content they consume, rather than quitting social media altogether.
“Whatever it is that you're following, you have to really evaluate it. 'Is this helping me or is it making me feel worse?'” Johnston・Feldman said.
