The Harmful Effects of Social Media’s Influence on Mental Health

Freddy Murphy

Beyond the Blues

Due to our digital era, social media has become an integral part of our lives. A simple touch on the screen keeps us connected to our loved ones and keeps us informed about what is happening around and beyond us. When operated in moderation, social media is a resourceful news outlet and a fun platform to share new experiences, ideas, accomplishments, or struggles. These platforms offer numerous benefits via community building or just being a space for self-expression. However, the bright highlight reels filled with instant gratification cover a darker side. Constant exposure to an ideal version of life, pressure to move with the trends, and an enormous inflow of information take a fantastic toll on our mental well-being. Social media, which was otherwise considered a tool for connecting people, has turned into a possible threat to our mental health, as the situation often unfolds into multiple emotional and psychological challenges. 

Some of the most recurrent psychological conditions caused by social media include depression, anxiety, and body dysmorphic disorder (BDD). Constant comparisons with others' seemingly perfect lives develop feelings of inadequacy and hopeless situations that result in depression. By nature, we are incredibly impressionable, something which may be a fault in character in the digital world. As we constantly encounter others’ posts glorifying their dynamic experiences, it is evident that social media also fuels anxiety in the form of the fear of missing out (also known as FOMO). From personal experience, I have found myself discouraged when I see my friends hanging out and I’m unable to attend the gathering.

Moreover, we are held to a standard to respond instantly, making even the most mundane and straightforward forms of interactions overwhelming. It's also a worldview in which filters and photo-editing resources heighten the focus on appearance. These majorly influential factors can fuel insecurities and raise the level of obsession with body image to an unhealthy point—a hallmark of Body Dysmorphic Disorder. It is crucial to remember that social media is not real life, and everything you consume through the digital world should be taken with a grain of salt. 

Thus, while we push forward through this digital world, we must consider the possible hazards linked with excessive use of social media. This suggestion implies learning how to form better online behaviors that care for our mental health so that instead of causing distress, these sites turn into avenues for connection. Among the ways to achieve this balance include breaks, careful selection of what you read online, and occasional help from a specialist. For more information regarding professional help, visit our previous article, delving into the benefits of therapy, support groups, and physical activity. 

Works Cited:

D'Amore Mental Health. “The Relationship between Social Media and Body Dysmorphia | D’Amore.” Damorementalhealth.com, 26 Jan. 2022, damorementalhealth.com/social-media-and-body-dysmorphia/. Accessed 29 July 2024.

Nesi, Jacqueline. “Speaking of Psychology: How Social Media Affects Teens’ Mental Health, with Jacqueline Nesi, PhD.” Apa.org, May 2023, www.apa.org/news/podcasts/speaking-of-psychology/teen-social-media-use. Accessed 30 July 2024.

Robinson, Lawrence, and Melinda Smith. “Social Media and Mental Health.” HelpGuide.org, HelpGuide.org, 18 June 2024, www.helpguide.org/articles/mental-health/social-media-and-mental-health.htm. Accessed 27 July 2024.