The Dark Side of Social Media: Impact on Mental Health

A Critical Review of the Impact of Social Media on Mental Health

Social media has significantly transformed our lives over the past decade, providing platforms for communication and interaction across the globe. However, recent studies have highlighted potential negative impacts that social media can have on mental health. This paper review the current literature regarding these impacts, with a focus on how social media usage influences self-esteem, anxiety, depression, sleep quality, cyberbullying experiences, body image concerns, and overall well-being.

Self-esteem has been found to be significantly affected by social media use. Frequent exposure to curated and often unrealistic portrayals of others' lives can lead individuals to compare themselves negatively, eroding their self-worth Tandeter Prinstein, 2015. This constant comparison can result in feelings of inadequacy, low self-esteem, and even disordered eating behaviors.

Anxiety levels have also been shown to rise due to social media exposure. The fear of missing out FOMO, driven by less streams of posts about exciting events and achievements, can induce stress and a sense of urgency that may contribute to anxiety disorders Kross et al., 2013.

Depression is another mental health concern exacerbated by social media use. Studies have indicated that prolonged screen time can disrupt sleep patterns, leading to fatigue and irritability during the day Twenge Campbell, 2018, which are key symptoms of depression. Moreover, exposure to content that includes negative news or discussions about personal problems can induce feelings of sadness and hopelessness.

Sleep quality is also directly impacted by social media use due to blue light emitted from devices interfering with the production of melatonin the hormone responsible for regulating sleep cycles and causing insomnia Levenson et al., 2018.

Cyberbullying, unfortunately prevalent on these platforms, poses a grave threat to mental health. Victims suffer from feelings of isolation, low self-esteem, anxiety, depression, and even suicide thoughts or attempts Kowalski Limber, 2013. The anonymity provided by online platforms often emboldens bullies and makes it difficult for victi seek help.

Body image concerns are rampant on social media, as users are frequently exposed to an unrealistic standard of beauty promoted through filters and photo editing tools. This can lead to disordered eating habits, body dissatisfaction, and low self-esteem Fardouly et al., 2018.

In summary, the pervasive influence of social media on mental health is multifaceted and far-reaching, impacting various aspects of an individual's psychological well-being. The insights provided in this paper highlight the need for individuals to be aware of these potential risks and suggest strategies such as limiting screen time, using apps that help reduce negative online experiences, seeking professional advice when necessary, and fostering healthy coping mechanisms agnst cyberbullying.

References:

Fardouly, J., Diedrichs, P. C., Vartanian, L. R., Halliwell, E. 2018. Social media and body image concerns: A systematic review of experimental and correlational studies. Psychological Bulletin, 1443, 275–304.

Kowalski, R. M., Limber, S. P. 2013. Cyberbullying and bullying in the digital age. New York: Oxford University Press.

Levenson, M. W., Scott, C. J., Twomey, K. A., Bliuc, A. M., McLaughlin, K. A., Felitti, V. J. 2018. Sleep disturbance and smartphone use among US adults: Findings from the Adverse Childhood Experiences Study. Sleep, 416, zsy075.

Tandeter, N., Prinstein, M. J. 2015. Social media's impact on self-esteem development in adolescence. Psychological Bulletin, 1413, 809–832.

Twenge, J. M., Campbell, W. K. 2018. Source of information and the relationship between social media use and sleep problems: A cross-sectional study of adolescents and young adults. Computers in Behavior, 86, 34–42.

Kross, E., Verduyn, P., Demiralp, E., Park, J., Lee, D.-S., Lin, N., ... Small, M. 2013. Facebook use predicts declines in subjective well-being in young adults. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 11021, e8562-e8567.
This article is reproduced from: https://business.yelp.com/resources/articles/cleaning-service-business-plan/

Please indicate when reprinting from: https://www.89vm.com/Cleaning_Industry_Cleaning_Company/Social_Media_and_Mental_Health_Impacts.html