New Delhi: Human beings are social creatures by nature. It is natural for human beings to crave companionship and connection. The human connections and companions are helpful in reducing depression, anxiety and stress by ensuring that their self-worth is boosted. Lacking social connections can have a huge impact on physical, emotional and mental health.
In the digital age, people have started relying on social media platforms and communication apps like Discord, GBWhatsApp, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and Snapchat for finding that human connection. Even though such social media platforms that a certain sort of connection exists within their users, they can never replace the real-world human connection. It is because the happy hormones are triggered in a much better way during in-person contact.
How Social Media Improves Mental Health?
There are many benefits of social media and the positive aspects of it were visible during the pandemic when people all across the globe heavily depended on these to stay connected with their loved ones and keep their relationship alive. Social media platforms ensure that you stay connected with your loved ones irrespective of the geographical distance. In addition to that, they serve as platforms for finding new communities and new friends.
Social media platforms are also used to seek emotional support during tough times. In addition to the communication part, it can also be used for joining and promoting worthwhile causes and creating awareness amongst its users.
The Negative Aspects Of Social Media
If you are an active social media user, you must have encountered a deactivated WhatsApp Plus, Instagram or Facebook account. If one digs deeper, it will be realized that social media platforms, even though they are helpful in maintaining a connection, also increase the risk of loneliness, anxiety and depression.
Firstly, the users prefer to paint their rosy pictures on social media platforms and these can make other users insecure about their life. While scrolling through social media platforms, one only views the highs of other people’s lives and the low points of life are conveniently hidden. This can give rise to feelings of dissatisfaction and envy.
Secondly, social media platforms give rise to fear of missing out which can harm self-esteem and further, trigger anxiety. It is only because of the fear of missing out, that people keep on checking their smartphones every now and then for new updates. In addition to that, cyberbullying is a real thing in the virtual world. The anonymity that is granted by the online world creates an environment where cyberbullying becomes an easy act for the attackers.
What Have Scientific Studies Revealed?
A study by Daria J. Kuss and Mark D. Griffiths has revealed that Facebook Addiction Disorder can have an adverse impact on personal life where the person suffering from it neglects his personal life. It further subjects the users to mood modifying experiences and mental preoccupation. Another study titled, “Facebook Use Predicts Declines in Subjective Well-Being in Young Adults” have revealed that usage of Facebook has resulted in less life satisfaction amongst the users and the moment-to-moment happiness has also declined. It was further pointed out that it results in social isolation. Social isolation due to excessive use of social media platforms has also been confirmed by a group of academicians of the Center for Research on Media, Technology and Health, University of Pittsburgh.
Another study carried out by Edson C. Tandoc Jr, Patrick Ferrucci and Margaret Duffy studied the link between envy and depression. The study found the interesting result that envy gave birth to Facebook- depression. If the envy of the users is controlled, the depression of the users can also be controlled and perhaps, therefore the envy emotion needs to be blamed for depression triggered by different social media platforms.
Social media has both its benefits and disadvantages. It is recommended to use social media platforms to stay in touch with loved ones. However, one should avoid using social media platforms to kill time or as a method of escapism. It is recommended to go for a digital detox every now and then to take care of your mental health. Social media platforms need to be used in moderation and one should also monitor the type of content that they are consuming. Ensuring that the social media feeds are filled with positive and uplifting messages is a good way to ensure that you are consuming positive content.
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