AnxietyMental HealthSelf CareAm I Harming My Mental Health By Being Online?

Social media has become a compelling part of our lives. This includes those of us struggling with mental health. Social media today includes a wide array of web and mobile platforms such as Instagram, LinkedIn and also video call apps like Skype and Google Meet! These have become entertainment and business spaces. However, with our lives being close to impossible without the use of internet, social media and mental health are always a topic of hot interest.

What does research indicate?

• Research shows excessive use of social media is mostly associated with lower psychological well-being.
• However, findings also suggest that it is quality over quantity of social media use that truly determines the impact on the user’s mental health.
• Another study found that individuals with mental health conditions, such as depression, psychotic disorders, and the like, tend to use social media platforms at similar rates to the general population.
• According to data, social media use ranges from around 70% among middle-aged and older individuals to over 97% among younger individuals. 

Looking at the amount of time spent by nearly the entire adult population, it becomes vital to observe the pros and cons of social media use and its impact on mental health. 

Positive Effects of Social Media

1. Facilitate Social Interaction – Social media is a valuable tool for individuals with mental illnesses to connect with others and improve their social functioning. Studies have found that it makes it easier for them to socialize and build relationships, and to feel less lonely. Such individuals tend to have increased community participation and be more civically engaged. Social media provides a convenient and accessible way for people to connect with each other, regardless of their location or the time of day.
2. Mental Health Services – Individuals with mental disorders use social media platforms to seek mental health information, connect with mental health providers, and access evidence-based mental health services for coping with mental health symptoms or promoting overall health and wellbeing. 
3. Provide Access to Peer Networks – Online self-help forums and social media sites can be particularly useful for peer support. People use these platforms to share personal experiences, request information, discuss symptoms, and seek help from others about their illness. They also use social media to establish new friendships, pursue romantic relationships, maintain existing relationships, and reconnect with people. 
4. Help Promote Business and Services – Whether it’s through interactive posts, live video streaming, or direct messaging, social media offers countless opportunities for engagement. Additionally, platforms like Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and LinkedIn allow for real-time feedback and conversations, enabling businesses to build meaningful relationships with their customers. This direct line of communication facilitates two-way interaction, creating a more dynamic and engaging experience for everyone involved. Overall, social media platforms have become indispensable tools for fostering engagement and participation in the modern age.

Negative Impacts of Social Media

1. Hostile Interactions – Social media platforms can lead to cyberbullying which can have a negative impact on mental health such as depressive and anxiety symptoms, with females being more vulnerable to it than males. Cyberbullying affects individuals more when the attacks are more personal than random. This is also true for for individuals with mental illness, who are already at a higher risk of hostility in real-life situations. 
2. Impact on daily life – Social media use can have unintended consequences on offline relationships and daily activities. Some of these include privacy concerns, poor quality or misleading health information, and feeling uncomfortable about your partner using their phone too much. 
3. Impact on existing mental health condition – Studies consistently show that heavy and prolonged use of social media can increase the risk of mental health symptoms, especially among young people. This can be due to the detrimental effects of screen time on mental health, including anxiety and depressive symptoms. Negative comparisons with others on social media can also contribute to FOMO, rumination and subsequent increases in depression symptoms. Social media use may also contribute to greater loneliness and negative effects on other aspects of health and wellbeing. For individuals living with more severe mental illnesses, social media use has been found to contribute to worsening symptoms.

Strategies For Safe Use Of Social Media

We are not going to be impractical or hypocritical and suggest you to go on a social media detox immediately. What we will suggest, however, is to start slow and build towards a lifestyle where there is a balance between social media use and your personal life.

1. Establish clear boundaries when using social media: This means being mindful of what we share online, who we connect with, and how we engage with others. Setting boundaries can help us protect our privacy, prevent unwanted interactions, and reduce the risk of cyberbullying and harassment.
2. Limit your screen time: As we have established, spending too much time on social media can have a negative impact on our mental health, as well as our ability to focus and be productive. We should aim to balance our time online with other activities like exercise, reading, or spending time with loved ones.
3. Developing digital literacy skills: This means understanding the risks and benefits of different platforms, being able to identify and avoid scams, and knowing how to protect our personal information online. Digital literacy also includes being aware of the impact of our online behaviour on others and society as a whole.
4. Be a critical consumer: This constitutes fact-checking information before sharing, being aware of bias and propaganda, and avoiding echo chambers where our views are reinforced without exposure to other perspectives. This also means being aware of your mental state and not consuming content that will aggravate a negative emotional state. By being critical consumers, we can help prevent the spread of misinformation and promote healthy discussions online.

Future Of Social Media And Mental Health

Social media has come a long way since its inception, and it has changed the way we communicate, connect, and share information. With the rise of mental health awareness, there is a growing interest in exploring how social media platforms can be used to promote positive mental health and well-being. There are also many online communities and big names that are taking the lead when it comes to cybersecurity. Let’s look at some ways in which social media is already doing great in terms of promoting internet well-being.

1. Encouraging users to take a break.. 
2. Detecting and warning against harmful content.
3. Develop tools and apps for mental health intervention such as mood trackers, worksheets for self-improvement, etc.
4. Having a separate unit for cyber crimes

Things that still need change:

1. Less algorithm bias – Today’s social media algorithm knows what content we enjoy and has hence become very divisive and polarizing. A more balanced algorithm should be created that promotes diverse and constructive content.
2. Promotion of digital literacy – Social media companies should be proactive with taking initiatives to educate their users about healthy digital habits. These include time management and recognizing the impact of excessive use.
3. Reducing emphasis on likes and follower count and instead highlight quality of interactions – Likes and follower count can lead to feelings of low self-esteem and anxiety. The user interface should evolve to instead focus on quality of real interactions.
4. Fact-checking Information – Misinformation and fake news can spread rapidly on social media, leading to confusion, fear, and mistrust. Platforms need to invest in better algorithms and human oversight to identify and remove misleading content quickly.
5. Better privacy and security measures – Platforms should implement stronger security protocols, giving users more control over their data, and ensuring transparency about how their information is used. This can reduce anxiety and fear of data breaches or misuse.
6. Better management of cyberbullying – Implementation of more robust systems for reporting and addressing bullying behavior, including stricter enforcement of anti-bullying policies and more support for victims can help tackle cyberbullying.

In conclusion, the impact of social media on mental health is a complex issue that requires greater attention and awareness. And while social media is unarguably a tool for connection and community-building, it can also be a source of stress, anxiety, and depression. 

Therefore, it becomes for us to reflect on their social media habits and prioritize their mental well-being. Making small changes such as setting limits on social media use, taking breaks from social media altogether, or engaging in other activities that promote mental health, such as exercise, meditation, or spending time with loved ones. It is also important for individuals to seek support if they are struggling with mental health issues related to social media use.

Ultimately, the goal should be to use social media in a way that enhances our lives, rather than detracts from them. By being mindful of our social media habits and taking steps to prioritize our mental well-being, we can cultivate a healthier relationship with technology and better cope with the stresses of modern life. So, let’s take a step back, reflect on our social media use, and make a commitment to prioritize our mental health and well-being.

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