These days many individuals engage in active use of social media, with the trend particularly prominent among young adults often referred to as Generation Z. While there certainly are some benefits to social networks that became especially apparent during the COVID-19 pandemic (allowing people to stay connected while in quarantine), evidence suggests that excessive consumption of social media content can have a negative impact on a person’s mental health. Therefore, people must become mindful of their activities online.
There are several dangers associated with increased social network usage. If an individual stays online browsing their feed for prolonged periods or frequently and compulsively checks the latest updates, it can be considered an addiction. Such behaviors are associated with several negative implications. First of all, it is linked to increased alienation levels since people who spend large proportions of their time online tend to be less invested in the real world, missing opportunities for building and maintaining meaningful relationships (Yadav & Rai, 2017). Moreover, frequent distractions and prolonged usage of social networks are likely to negatively affect their professional or academic performance (Yadav & Rai, 2017). Active social media users may have problems concentrating, feeling a constant compulsive desire to check their smartphones.
There are many ways how people’s well-being can suffer due to the excessive use of social networks. For instance, research suggests that individuals who consume much social media content tend to compare themselves to others more often, leading to lower self-esteem levels (Shensa et al., 2017; Hawi & Samaha, 2017). Moreover, many studies find correlations between social media addiction and signs of depression (Barry, Sidoti, Briggs, Reiter, & Lindsey, 2017; Kelly, Zilanawala, Booker, & Sacker, 2018). The reported symptoms include anxiety, sleep disturbances, and body image issues (Kelly et al., 2018). Thus, individuals who spend much time online are at increased risk of developing mental illnesses, such as depression or eating disorders. It is also worth mentioning that active social media users may sometimes engage in unhealthy or dangerous behaviors online, bullying their peers, or disclosing personal information. This leads to such alarming trends as cyberstalking and online harassment (Yadav & Rai, 2017). Therefore, there are not only personal but social reasons why excessive social media use can be harmful.
Young people are particularly susceptible to the dangers listed above. Generation Z is often described as “technically innate and very style-conscious” (Yadav & Rai, 2017). This refers to the fact that many young adults have little to no experience of life without technologies. They are considered the main creators and consumers of online content (Yadav & Rai, 2017). They may feel compelled to keep in the loop and follow the latest trends. Thus, individuals who belong to this generation are more exposed to risks associated with excessive social media use. For instance, they may engage in frequent self-comparisons damaging to their psychological well-being or experience FOMO (fear of missing out). Compulsive social media checking in itself means less engagement with the real world, leading to lower academic performance, fewer close friendships, and less energy devoted to pursuing realistic goals and aspirations.
This problem, however, unlike some suggest, would not be solved by restricting the use of smartphones in classrooms or other authoritative measures. Only if young adults themselves recognize the issue and take action, these negative consequences can be prevented. First and foremost, they need to evaluate their social media usage patterns noticing any problematic behaviours – such as opening applications too frequently or regularly comparing themselves to others based on their online popularity. Young people must acknowledge how these actions negatively impact their well-being.
Several steps can be taken to overcome the problem. First of all, young adults should limit their time online, trying to replace it with other activities, for instance, by pursuing a new hobby (Avison & Mercado, 2020). Introducing an engaging offline activity that grants a sense of fulfillment may help reduce one’s desire to constantly check their smartphone. Spending more time with one’s friends and family members in real life can also be an excellent option. It can not only help to build a better relationship but would also allow individuals to acquire strong social support networks, especially important when dealing with compulsive behavior.
For people with severe cases of social media addiction, there are treatment options available. For instance, a new rehabilitation program is offered by the Addiction Center (Addiction Center, 2020). When frequent or prolonged social networks use transforms into an obsession, uninstalling all social media applications can be an appropriate option, but for the majority of individuals, it can be a too drastic measure. Therefore, for most, it would be beneficial to start with taking small steps such as turning off notifications, taking breaks from social media (in the evenings or on the weekend), or tracking the time they spend using smartphones. These measures can help break the habit of compulsive social media use and make a person more mindful of their online activity.
To conclude, while there are several positive changes brought to people’s lives by social media, there are also multiple risks associated with using it excessively. Young adults, who are among the primary consumers and contributors to online content, are found particularly vulnerable to social media’s negative influences. Therefore, they should make conscious steps to limit their use of social networks and replace it with other activities, engaging more in their relationship, studies, or work. Even if one is currently not noticing any social media addiction symptoms, it can still be beneficial to limit their time online to prevent its formation.
References
Addiction Center. (2020). Social media addiction. Web.
Avison, P., & Mercado, M. (2020). 7 easy ways to detach yourself from social media. Web.
Barry, C. T., Sidoti, C. L., Briggs, S. M., Reiter, S. R., & Lindsey, R. A. (2017). Adolescent social media use and mental health from adolescent and parent perspectives. Journal of adolescence, 61, 1-11.
Hawi, N. S., & Samaha, M. (2017). The relations among social media addiction, self-esteem, and life satisfaction in university students. Social Science Computer Review, 35(5), 576-586.
Kelly, Y., Zilanawala, A., Booker, C., & Sacker, A. (2018). Social media use and adolescent mental health: Findings from the UK Millennium Cohort Study. EClinical Medicine, 6, 59-68.
Shensa, A., Escobar-Viera, C. G., Sidani, J. E., Bowman, N. D., Marshal, M. P., & Primack, B. A. (2017). Problematic social media use and depressive symptoms among US young adults: A nationally-representative study. Social Science & Medicine, 182, 150-157.
Yadav, P. G., & Rai, J. (2017). The Generation Z and their social media usage: A review and a research outline. Global journal of enterprise information system, 9(2), 110-116.