By now, there’s little doubt that social media can affect our mental and physical health. With 90 percent of U.S. teens saying they are active on social media and 68 percent of Americans overall using at least one social media platform, these effects are widespread.
Research has found numerous ways that social media usage can affect our health—often negatively. Here are some of them:
- Social media often prompts users to compare their lives with others, from famous “influencers” to coworkers to exes. This can lead to feelings of dissatisfaction, inadequacy, anxiety, and depression.
- Social media users may experience cyberbullying and threats. Digital interactions can confuse boundaries, leading people to share photos or express thoughts that can become the targets of harassment.
- Using social media, especially closer to bedtime, can interfere with sleep by stimulating the brain and throwing off natural hormone production. Lack of sleep can have negative effects on both physical and mental health.
- Despite its name, social media can contribute to loneliness. While it is a useful tool for staying connected to others, it should not be a complete substitute for in-person interactions.
- Likes and comments on social media can trigger the release of dopamine. This can feed addiction-like behaviors, leading to excessive time online—and all the other effects that can have.
Young people are especially vulnerable.
Social media users of any age can experience negative effects. However, research repeatedly shows that adolescents and young adults may suffer the most.
Researchers in Germany and the United Kingdom explained in the journal Nature Reviews Psychology how social media can influence adolescent mental health. For example, it can encourage risk-taking behavior, which teens are already more likely to engage in, for attention. Risky posts can be saved and used in harassment, and may derail future plans, such as scholarships and employment.
Social media also lets adolescents receive direct, public feedback on the photos and opinions they share. This can become another source of peer pressure or criticism. Young people may also be more susceptible to feelings of exclusion and social comparison, as well as reduced overall wellbeing.
One Saudi Arabian study of participants aged 10 to 24 years old found that the majority have tried to reduce their use of social media to help their mental health. One reason was its negative effects on sleep. Since sleep is crucial to developing minds and bodies, the impact of social media on users’ sleep patterns should not be underestimated.
What should health leaders and consumers do?
Health experts, researchers, and families all have roles to play in encouraging healthy social media use.
- Researchers should further investigate exactly why social media use can harm mental health. This may require fine-tuned studies with specific, up-to-date surveys.
- Schools may restrict the use of devices during school hours and teach students about “digital literacy” and safe social media use.
- Families should set and maintain healthy boundaries regarding social media, monitor teens’ use of technology, and have honest conversations about the risks of social media.
- Teens can use social media safely by using phone settings to set time limits on social media apps, unfollow accounts that make them feel bad about themselves, and talk to a safe person about any harassment they may have experienced.
Do you have young clients struggling with mental health symptoms? Make sure you have all the tools you need to help them achieve the best treatment outcomes. Contact BestNotes today to find out how our solutions can help your behavioral health practice!