By Alena Gerst, LCSW | Founder, Director, Psychotherapist
Social media is everywhere.
It’s almost unavoidable and even if you don’t necessarily engage directly, it will somehow touch your life. While social media isn’t always bad, it can be addictive. If you are not paying close attention to your usage or the content you consume, the negative effects can harm your mental heath.
On one hand, social media can be a great way to stay connected with friends and family, near and far. I love to know what my cousins are up to, or to offer comfort to an old friend when they are grieving. It can help you stay “in the loop” when things are happening and give you an opportunity to share important moments.
But there are some potential drawbacks to consider before you download or open the app. Let’s take a look at how social media shapes mental health, and what you can do to protect yourself.
The Positive Perks of Social Media
We can’t dive into the negative side of social media without mentioning some of the good things about it. Again, social media is great for keeping people connected. You can keep in touch with friends and family across the globe every day if you want.
It also facilitates creativity and expression. You can learn to share things about yourself, your work and accomplishments as you establish your online identity, which can build your self worth. You can also cheer for your community, stay informed about current events, and one of my favorite perks, watch golden retrievers living their funniest and best lives whenever you need a smile.
When used in moderation and with intention,, social media can also be a way to connect with others who have shared interests, or similar challenges to gain support and ideas for resources.
From a psychological perspective, these benefits can boost self-esteem and even give you something to look forward to.
The Darker Side of Social Media
Unfortunately, the negative aspects of social media often overshadow the good things, especially when it becomes compulsive, and difficult to turn off.
Research has shown that when you are exposed to too much social media, it can create a variety of mental health issues, including body image problems, depression and anxiety, sleep disturbances, feelings of inadequacy and more.
Some people even struggle with things like loneliness and isolation after too much social media. Looking at other peoples’ curated posts of their wonderful, perfect, effortless lives on repeat for hours a day will not help you to feel good. That might seem ironic, since social media is so often about connection and sharing the good stuff. But the constant exposure to others living a depiction of a life without struggle and all amazing will impact you. If you start to replace in-person interactions with primarily online communication, you will be more likely to withdraw from the IRL worlds and grow more comfortable with the more familiar cyber universe.
The Adolescent Experience
Children, teens, and young adults are especially susceptible to mental health issues caused by social media for a variety of reasons.
First, like you, they might experience comparison issues. They might compare themselves to other people who have an “ideal” body or lifestyle. They might even compare themselves to their own friends who are posting photos of themselves doing something great. It’s important for your child to remember that the things people post on social media are often nothing more than highlight reels and not reality.
The fear of missing out (FOMO) is also a very real problem that can affect kids of all ages. For example, if they see a photo of their friend group on social media but they weren’t invited to the event, it can lead to hurt feelings, anxiety, and depression.
Cyberbullying is also a big problem for kids and teens online. People tend to feel braver when they’re behind a screen, allowing them to say things they wouldn’t necessarily bring up in person. This can take a toll on anyone’s mental health, especially during their formative years.
What Can You Do?
While social media has its place and its benefits, one of the best things you can do is to limit yourself from being overexposed to it. Constant scrolling can lead to mental and emotional burnout, and so much more.
If you’re going to use the platforms, it is crucial that you are mindful of what you’re consuming. Ask yourself when you close the app, “Do I feel better than I did when I started scrolling? Or worse?” Regular self-check ins are important to sustain health self worth when you’re using social media.
Place limits on your usage, and stick to them. If you intend to open the app for just a few minutes and before you know it, it has been hours, that is a call to pay more attention to your usage.
If you find you put timers or filters on to limit your usage and you are still overriding them, that is a sign that you are addicted to social media, and it is time to take action to get control back of how you spend your time.
If you feel like you might already be struggling with some of the effects of social media, don’t hesitate to reach out for help. The social media universe is changing faster than most of us can keep up. It is constantly designed and changing to keep us hooked. The best thing you can do for yourself when it comes to social media is to stay aware of how much, and how you feel.