Social media has become a big part of our lives, its a great source of entertainment, a way to connect with friends and its also good to express ourselves, but have you ever stopped to consider the impact that it has on your mental health. From the pressure of maintaining a perfect online image to the self comparison, social media can take a huge toll on our emotional well being. In this article, we will go over the ways in which social media affects our mental health. 

One way social media impacts mental health is it contributes to the feelings of loneliness. For example, If you’re spending a lot of time online you might be missing out on in-person hangouts that help you feel more connected. Lots of online friends and followers don’t always mean you have a meaningful relationship, without deeper connections you can feel lonely even when you’re “connected.” According to “socialmediavictims.org” negative social media experiences also contribute to loneliness. A recent study demonstrated that a 10% increase in negative experiences on social media corresponded with a 13% rise in loneliness. 

Another way social media impacts mental health is it can cause sleep disruption. Excessive use of social media, especially before bed can disrupt sleep patterns, which can lead to exhaustion and mood disturbances. For example when teens use their phone or any device late at night to scroll through social media the blue light in the screens can suppress the production of melatonin, a hormone that helps regulate sleep. According to a survey from the “American Academy Of Sleep Medicine” 93% of Gen Z have lost sleep because they stayed up past their bedtime to view or participate in social media. 

Lastly, social media can impact mental health because teens tend to constantly compare themselves to others on social media, they start to feel like their not good enough. Seeing reels and highlights of other peoples lives can create unrealistic expectations which can make them question their own worth. Also, the pressure to gain likes, comments and followers can make teens feel like their value is determined by online popularity. 

In conclusion, social media impacts teens mental health, presenting both opportunities for connection and challenges like self esteem issues and isolation. Its important to engage with social media platforms mindfully and also prioritize real world interactions to maintain a healthy mental and emotional balance.

(This image shows someone that is stressed and wants to get away from the pressure of social media.)

Sources:

https://www.yalemedicine.org/news/social-media-teen-mental-health-a-parents-guide#:~:text=According%20to%20a%20research%20study,including%20depression%20and%20anxiety%20symptoms.

https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/tween-and-teen-health/in-depth/teens-and-social-media-use/art-20474437

https://childmind.org/article/how-using-social-media-affects-teenagers/