It’s no secret that social media is a huge part of our lives. It has revolutionized how we communicate, consume content, and do business. But with all its benefits also come some serious drawbacks.
Studies have shown that too much time spent on social media can lead to feelings of isolation, anxiety, depression, and even addiction. And that’s just scratching the surface; here are 17 ways social media can negatively affect your mental health.
Increased Anxiety
“Everyone” posts the best part of their lives on social media, and many people compare themselves to others and come up short. Feeling like you’re lagging or that your life isn’t as exciting or glamorous as those you follow can lead to anxiety. And that anxiety can cause you to spiral and make bad decisions.
Fear of Missing Out (FOMO) and Low Self-esteem
There’s always something new or trendy on social media or trendy, and most people want to be a part of it. The fear of missing out on what everyone else is doing or talking about can lead to feelings of inadequacy, which may lead to low self-esteem. Low self-esteem can lead to other mental health issues if not addressed. How to get free online therapy.
Sleep Deprivation
If you’re spending too much time on social media, chances are you’re going to bed later than you should. After all, scrolling through Instagram or liking tweets can be a great way to pass the time. But this activity can disrupt sleep patterns, leading to heightened stress and anxiety levels. How to relieve stress.
Sleep deficiency can also cause chronic health problems, including an increased risk of heart disease, stroke, obesity, and diabetes.
Cyberbullying
Social media can be an excellent tool for connecting with people, but it can also be a breeding ground for cyberbullying. Bullies on social media often target vulnerable or unpopular people with insults and threats. Those targeted can suffer from various mental health issues, including depression, anxiety, and even suicidal thoughts or attempts. 7 things to say to someone who is depressed.
The Pressure to be Perfect
We all want to put our best face forward on social media, and many people strive for perfection. But this can lead to unrealistic expectations and an unachievable goal. The pressure to live up to a certain image can affect your mental health, leading to feelings of inadequacy and low self-esteem. 101 super inspiring mental health quotes.
Lack of Privacy
Whether you’re sharing personal information or taking part in a conversation, there’s always the risk that something can come back to haunt you. People can screenshot your messages, collect your location and contact information, and strangers can send you direct messages.
All these things can make you feel vulnerable and wary about who you interact with on social media. Being wary is good, but always worrying about your privacy can be very stressful and affect your mental health negatively. 155 uplifting self-care quotes for mental health.
Exposure to Negative Content
Social media is filled with content that can be upsetting, triggering, or just plain negative. There’s always something new to worry about, from stories about violence and tragedy to arguments and hate speech.
Too much exposure to harmful content can harm your mental health, so limit how much of it you consume. And don’t take things too personally.
Compulsive Checking
The pull of social media can be strong, and it’s easy to get caught up in the compulsion of constantly checking for updates. This habit can lead to an unhealthy addiction and make it difficult for you to focus on anything else or even take a break from your phone. 17 loving ways to support a friend in addiction recovery.
What can you do? Know when to take a break from social media and limit your time on these platforms.
False Sense of Connection
Social media makes it easy for us to connect with people worldwide. But even though we’re connected, most of these connections are superficial and don’t provide any sense of true companionship or connection. Social media gives people a distorted view of what real relationships are like. 20 lies we tell ourselves about love and relationships.
You may feel disappointed, lonely, and unloved when these connections don’t meet your needs. Focus your attention on forming real-life relationships instead.
Social Isolation
Social media connections aren’t as solid as real-life relationships and can lead to social isolation. If you spend too much time on your phone, you may need help to form relationships in the real world. You may also find yourself shunning real-life invitations in favor of time spent online.
This feeling of being disconnected can hurt your mental health, leaving you feeling anxious, lonely, and depressed. Decide what’s more important, and spend time with the people you care about. 17 habits of happy and healthy people.
Negative Body Image
Social media is flooded with images of seemingly perfect people, and it can be hard not to compare yourself to them. This comparison can lead to negative body image and low self-esteem, causing depression, anxiety, and other mental health issues.
It’s important to remember that many of the images you see online are carefully curated and may not reflect reality. Also, your body is unique and should be celebrated, not criticized.
Rejection and Negative Comments
It’s inevitable that, at some point, you’ll get rejected or receive negative comments on social media. These hurtful comments can make you feel terrible about yourself, leading to feelings of worthlessness and depression. To survive the trolls, remember that their opinions do not reflect your worth, and take breaks from social media when needed. Want People to Respect You? DON’T DO These 20 Things
Living Two Lives
Social media allows us to create a digital persona almost entirely separate from real life. The danger with this lifestyle is that it can start to feel like you’re living two different lives, which can be overwhelming and isolating.
It’s important to remember that your online life can never replace your real one, and take a break from the digital world when needed. Also, be true to yourself and share your authentic self, not just your curated version.
Validation From Others
You want to be liked and accepted, but relying on social media for validation can negatively affect your mental health. Social media can make us feel like our self-worth depends on how many likes and followers we get, which can lead to anxiety and depression.
Be aware of this urge to seek validation online, and remember that your worth is not dependent on how many likes you get or followers you have. Focus on the things that matter in life.
Over-dependence on Social Media
According to Statista, the average time spent on social media has increased from 90 minutes to 147 minutes (2012-2022). Some countries have averages of up to three hours a day. Over-indulging in anything can be dangerous, and too much time spent on social media can negatively impact your mental health.
Fake News and Misinformation
Social media has become a breeding ground for fake news and misinformation, which can have an insidious effect on your mental health. Seeing and believing these stories can lead to paranoia, fear, anger, and frustration. Before you believe something you see online, always check multiple sources before confirming it as true.
Stalking
Social media is a breeding ground for perverts, cyberstalkers, and predators. It’s easy for people with malicious intentions to get access to your personal information and stalk you online. Some take it even further and start stalking you in real life. Being stalked can be a scary and traumatic experience and cause anxiety, paranoia, and fear.
The most important step is to seek help if you are being stalked. You can contact a victim support organization or a trained professional who can help you through this difficult time. Additionally, protect yourself online by limiting the personal information you share and beware of who you accept as friends and followers.
This article was produced and syndicated on Health makes you