Abstract
Social media is one of the most phenomenal technological advances in human history. However, overusing social media can negatively impact a person’s mental wellness. This research investigated how social media use can be detrimental to psychological well-being.
The research critically analyzed past studies of related topics to understand the history of social media and its impacts on human mental wellness. During the research, I discovered that although there is no direct link between social media use and poor mental well-being, cyberbullying, cyberstalking, social comparisons, excess information, and fear of missing out can be detrimental. Therefore, it is essential to maximize the positives of social media for improved mental wellness.
Introduction
Technological advancements have revolutionized human interactions through social media use. The platforms promote positive interaction through enhanced communication and information availability. Additionally, social media has been at the forefront of promoting civil rights, including freedom of expression.
However, social media has been described as a time bomb that adversely affects users. Mental health issues have been on the rise, and social media is one of the biggest causes. Cyberbullying, cyberstalking, social comparisons, and information overload, among others, are some of the ways social media can negatively affect mental health. Individuals must maximize the positives of social media to overcome its adverse effects on mental wellness.
Social Media Background Information
Historical Development
Social media is one of the greatest human inventions, and it has rapidly grown and developed within a short period. The development of social media can be traced to the late 1970s when the first Bulletin Board System, called the Computerized Bulletin Board System (CBBS), was created. Ward Christensen and Randy Suess’ CBBS allowed users to communicate with each other over a computer network (Hughes 33). Although CBBC was an invention of its kind then, its reach was limited (Hughes 37). Consequently, only hobbyists and tech enthusiasts could use CBBS to communicate with each other.
With the use of the CBBS concept in the 1990s, the development of the World Wide Web (WWW) intensified communication technology. WWW created online communities where people could interact as a group (Mustafa et al.). Chat rooms and message boards were offered on platforms such as Prodigy (Mustafa et al.).
As the years went by, better platforms with advanced human interfaces and features were developed. Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram were launched in 2004, 2006, and 2010, respectively. Recently, in 2017, TikTok was launched, revolutionizing social media use. The continuous improvements in social media have attracted many people to use it, posing benefits and problems.
Common Social Media Platforms
Many social media platforms have been developed, each having unique features that make it attractive to its familiar audience. Facebook is the largest social media platform, with an estimated 2.96 billion users (Braghieri et al. 3687). The platform allows users to share posts and content for social and creative expression. YouTube is considered the second-largest social network, with 2.2 billion users who can share and watch other people’s videos (Braghieri et al. 3687).
WhatsApp is the most common messaging application that allows about 2 billion people to communicate and share experiences through status updates (Griggio et al.). Instagram, WeChat, and TikTok are other common platforms with over a billion subscribers. As society shifts due to technological changes, better social applications are being developed.
Statistics on Social Media Use
Although social media platforms are common in contemporary society, their use is different across human generations. In January 2022, a total of 4.62 billion people were estimated to be using social media platforms worldwide (Obadă and Dabija). Generation Z and millennials were found to be the most social media users, with the majority of them spending about 50% of their day on the platforms. 9% of Generation Z and 7% of millennials were found to be accessing social media once per week (Obadă and Dabija). Therefore, the statistics show that Generation Z and millennials are the ones who are at the most significant risk of being negatively affected by social media use.
Mental Health Meaning
Mental health is a multifaceted wellness concept involving various factors and definitions. According to Meier and Reinecke, mental wellness is an individual’s overall psychological and mental well-being. Coyne et al. hold a contradictory opinion by describing mental health as a person’s capability to cope with life’s stressors and maintain positive relationships and coexistence with others in society. A further definition describes mental wellness as the ability of a person to have a positive outlook on life and their daily progression (Burton et al.). Combining the various meanings of mental health, it can be concluded that the condition is not just a mere absence of mental illnesses, such as depression and anxiety.
Mental health benefits an individual since it promotes positive growth through optimism. Research by Arslan (1) studied the association between childhood psychological maltreatment and young adults’ psychological adjustment through aversion to optimism. Upon studying 511 college students, the research established that optimism is directly associated with psychological well-being. Consequently, it is important to participate in activities promoting mental wellness. Activities such as social media overuse and engagement in addictive practices, such as drug and substance abuse, can be detrimental to a person’s psychological wellness.
Social Media and Mental Health
Although social media use has been proven to be beneficial, it is linked with adverse effects on mental health. A study by Abi-Jaoude et al. (137) explored the connection between teenage mental health and smartphone and social media use. The researchers established that excessive use of smartphones among children is associated with poor mental health outcomes (Abi-Jaoude et al. 141). Although there has been no direct link between social media and mental health problems, individual conduct and intent when using them determine the effect on their psychological well-being (Zhao and Zhou 1022). Therefore, social media can negatively affect a person’s mental wellness through various activities that take place online.
Social Comparison
Social media platforms attract individuals from various social classes. Some users can afford a more expensive lifestyle than others. Research by Pahlevan Sharif et al. explored the mediating role of financial, social comparison, and materialism in the relationship between heavy social networking and online compulsive buying in the Malaysian context. The researchers found that compulsive buying is associated with financial and social comparisons among young Malaysians who want to look and be treated similarly to those of higher social status (Abi-Jaoude et al. 138). Failure by social media users who compare themselves to those of higher standing leads to stress and consequent poor mental health.
Cyberbullying
Social media promotes freedom of speech and expression, but some users’ opinions can be hurtful and discouraging. Cyberbullying manifests in various forms, such as direct insults and body shaming. Naslund et al. (246) summarize research on the impact of social media use on mental well-being. According to the authors, cyberbullying exacerbates mental illnesses and can cause problems among social media users. Through cyberbullying, the victims can regard themselves as of lesser dignity, deteriorating their self-esteem (Naslund et al. 256). Therefore, individuals who are bullied online are more likely to have poor mental health than those who are not.
Cyberstalking
According to the social media statistics discussed in the previous section, millennials and Generation Z spend more than 50% of their day on social media. One of the activities that the youths engage in is stalking each other’s lifestyles. Cyberstalking is a methodical and persistent use of social media to harass and stalk another person (Abi-Jaoude et al.). The victims often develop anxiety since they fear for their lives and privacy. Meanwhile, the perpetrators can sometimes be shocked by their targets’ perfect lifestyles. Cyberstalking creates social pressure on the victims and perpetrators, leading to depression and anxiety.
Fear of missing out (FOMO)
Social media platforms present many opportunities to users, and those who miss out can develop anxiety. FOMO can be described as an emotional response to an assertion that other people, such as friends, live more satisfying lives and that essential opportunities are missed. According to Naslund et al. (250), FOMO can exacerbate feelings of inadequacy and low self-worth.
Consequently, individuals who experience FOMO become anxious and depressed about their lives when compared to those of others. Gupta and Sharma (4884) further argue that FOMO is associated with a range of adverse life experiences and feelings, such as a lack of sleep, reduced life competency, and emotional tension, which disturb one’s mental health.
Information Overload
Social media platforms are excellent sources of information that can be beneficial at times. However, there is no limit to what information can be shared and accessed, and what cannot (Naslund et al.). Information overload involves the provision of too much data, which can be confusing.
Therefore, the users may spend so much time on social media that they lack sleep and become mentally irritated (Naslund et al. 257). A study by Coyne et al. analyzed data on the relationship between the amount of time spent on social media and one’s mental health. The researchers established that spending a lot of time on social media affected teenagers living in the U.S. Information overload causes increased time spent on social media platforms, affecting mental wellness.
Sleep Disruption
Sufficient sleep is crucial for quality mental well-being since one has enough time to do other daily activities without overloading one’s brain. A UK firefighter contamination survey uncovered that sleep disruption was one of the major causes of poor mental well-being (Wolffe et al. 62). Similarly, social media use can disrupt one’s sleep since they spend time watching and listening to content that is addictive (Viner et al. 691).
Moreover, people can spend a lot of time on social media by engaging in discussions when they need to sleep. Most social media users struggle with sleep during the day, negatively affecting their psychological wellness (Abi-Jaoude et al. 137). Sleep disruption, as influenced by intense social media use, can lead to mental illnesses and conditions that exacerbate poor psychological well-being.
Exposure to Disturbing and Addictive Content
Addictive and disturbing content is often shared on social media platforms. Although some platforms have censured and restricted the sharing of disturbing content, users have found ways to send and post it. Ziapour et al. established that there is a positive correlation between internet addiction and depression and mental health upon studying data from 447 Iranian university students.
On the other hand, disturbing content such as explicit videos and photos can make an individual uncomfortable (Viner et al. 690). For instance, it is mentally disturbing to see pictures of a family member who just died in a road accident being shared on social media platforms. Therefore, social media users need to mind the content shared for the sake of others.
Advantages of Social Media Use on Mental Health
Although social media platform usage has been linked with deteriorated mental health, it can serve various beneficial purposes. Through the use of social media, people enjoy increased connectivity and communication. The majority of platforms have message and calling features that allow individuals to connect to their friends and family members, among others (Mustafa et al.). Connecting and communicating with others can help people release themselves from stress and issues that are detrimental to their mental well-being.
Content sharing has helped social media users to access information that can help them overcome their mental issues. For instance, Twitter has developed spaces where individuals can discuss the issues affecting them. Similarly, the platforms enable profile owners to share their life experiences with their social networks (Obadă and Dabija).
Another advantage of social media in promoting mental wellness is improved civic engagement. Consequently, individuals from all walks of life can engage in campaigns intended to improve psychological well-being. Although social media is linked with poor mental wellness, it can be used to promote quality psychological wellness.
Countering Poor Mental Health: Maximizing Social Media Use
Mindful Social Media Use
Social media has both positive and negative information, which must be chosen carefully. The youth are the majority of users of social media platforms and ought to be mindful of the information they consume. Mindful social media use involves utilizing the platforms to improve one’s well-being (Obadă and Dabija). For instance, instead of people accessing the platforms to stalk others, they can subscribe to information that promotes social and economic growth at a personal level (Braghieri et al. 3687). Business, physical exercise, and education tips, among other information, can be utilized to promote personal growth.
Connecting with Supportive Communities
Supportive communities are crucial in helping someone develop a positive attitude towards self and life. Social media platforms such as Facebook allow users to join social groups and follow various pages of their liking (Mustafa et al.). Individuals can join groups and follow pages that promote and share positive content.
Joining business communities and following motivating pages feeds one with content that helps them better their lives and livelihoods (Obadă and Dabija). For instance, business communities are essential in gathering information on startups. Therefore, taking advantage of supportive social communities is beneficial.
Share Positive Content
Sharing positive content can help promote the mental well-being of other social media users. Positive content has a beneficial impact on those who consume it. For instance, some YouTube channels have focused on sharing healthy tips. Similarly, some content creators share information on the global market performance. The positive content allows the audience to engage with others meaningfully, limiting them from activities that are detrimental to their wellness (Mustafa et al.). Youths should be encouraged to share positive content on social media platforms and consume meaningful content.
Limit Social Media Use
Limiting access to social media is beneficial since individuals spend the saved time on essential things. Social media users should have a personal plan for when and why they should access social media platforms. A personal timetable that prioritizes important activities over social media access is helpful. Additionally, people can use advanced mobile phone features such as focus and study modes to limit the number of social media notifications that tempt them to access the platforms at the wrong times (Braghieri et al. 3686). Although it takes self-discipline to limit oneself from accessing social media platforms all the time, the benefits are worth the sacrifice and discipline.
Conclusion
Advancements in technology have revolutionized communications and interactions over computer networks. Social media platforms have become a primary communication channel for the global community. Although technology is significant in promoting connectivity and civic engagement, poor mental health can be exacerbated by the activities done on social media platforms. Cyberbullying, cyberstalking, social comparisons, and exposure to sensitive content encumber quality mental wellness. Therefore, social media users should maximize positive content and support communities to avoid poor mental well-being when using social media platforms.
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