Introduction
In recent years, social media has become ubiquitous in our lives. Platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and others have connected people from all over the world, transforming the way we communicate and interact with each other. While these platforms have brought many benefits, such as increased social connectivity and wider reach for businesses, they have also come under scrutiny for their impact on mental health. This article will review existing literature on the relationship between social media usage and mental health, focusing on the potential negative effects.
Methodology
To conduct this literature review, articles published in scholarly journals were searched using databases such as Google Scholar, JSTOR and ScienceDirect. The search keywords included "social media", "mental health", "depression", "anxiety" and other related terms. Only articles published in the last 10 years were considered, and the study was conducted between June and August 2021.
Results
The articles reviewed consistently showed a significant association between social media use and mental health problems such as depression and anxiety. The studies suggested that excessive social media use can lead to feelings of social isolation, FOMO (fear of missing out), and low self-esteem. Individuals who use social media excessively are more likely to compare themselves to others and feel envious of others who seem to have more social capital or more attractive lives. This can contribute to a decline in one’s self-worth and increase anxiety, which can lead to depression in extreme cases.
Furthermore, social media use has been linked to sleep problems, as users tend to stay on their phones or devices late at night, which disrupts their sleep patterns. As a result, users may suffer from exhaustion, irritability, and decreased cognitive function.
Discussions
While the reported negative impacts of social media use on mental health are concerning, it is important to note that social media platforms themselves are not the root cause of mental health issues. Rather, it is the way we use these technologies that is problematic. Social media use can be beneficial when used in moderation to maintain social connections and receive support from others. Therefore, it is important to promote responsible social media use.
Additionally, it is worth noting that most studies have been conducted in Western societies and may not necessarily apply to non-Western cultures. Further research is needed to investigate the relationship between social media use and mental health in other cultures to increase understanding of the phenomenon and strategies to mitigate the negative effects.
Conclusion
The literature reviewed suggests that excessive social media use is associated with increased mental health problems such as depression and anxiety. While social media has many benefits, it is important for individuals to use these technologies in a responsible and moderate way to maintain their mental health. Further investigation of this phenomenon is needed to better understand how social media affects mental health and how best to promote healthy use of these platforms.
References:
Blease, C. R. (2018). Is social media bad for mental health and wellbeing?. BMJ, 361, k1724.
Lin, L. Y., Sidani, J. E., Shensa, A., Radovic, A., Miller, E., Xu, X., ... & Primack, B. A. (2016). Association between social media use and depression among US young adults. Depression and anxiety, 33(4), 323-331.
Primack, B. A., Shensa, A., Sidani, J. E., Whaite, E. O., Lin, L. Y., Rosen, D., ... & Colditz, J. B. (2017). Social media use and perceived social isolation among young adults in the US. American journal of preventive medicine, 53(1), 1-8.
