Most people find it difficult to live without their smartphone. The devices are used for everything from social media sites to television and checking their accounts. Social media usage may affect your mental health. You’re not the only one. According to Pew Research Center, 72% of Americans use social media.
Social media, at its core, is a powerful tool for connecting with others and interacting. It allows people to communicate faster on virtual networks. Social media has its downsides. According to some studies, using social media, and especially in excess, can harm your mental health. Continue reading to find out more about the studies and what you need to be aware of.
Social Media and Mental Health
People who are on social media often have sleep problems. This effect is important because it has been shown that sleep problems can cause mental health issues. In addition, not getting enough rest can cause depression and memory loss.
Social media, in addition to making it difficult to sleep at night, can also cause mental health problems by exposing users to cyberbullying. Researchers discovered that more than half of the over 6,000 people aged between 10 and 18 years old who were surveyed had been cyberbullied. Although you might think the statistics only apply to children, many adults have been involved in cyberbullying. The anonymity of a computer screen can bring out the worst side of people.
Social media can be a breeding ground for harmful rumors. These rumours can cause emotional scars to last a lifetime.
Social Media and Isolation
Social media can make some people feel inadequate. Social media can cause people to feel like they’re not good enough.
A study from 2018 revealed that despite the belief that social media can help us connect, it actually makes us feel more alone. You can feel this when you don’t receive any feedback on your latest post or no one likes it. Even the most grounded among us like to feel that their words or photos are appreciated.
Summary
You may wonder if social media is too much for the younger generation. You should step back and do other things that don’t involve logging into social media platforms.
Spend time away from social media to help you make it work for you. Log off when you are with family and friends. Set a timer to turn it off an hour or more before you go to bed. You can turn off notifications to avoid wasting your time on less important tasks.
