The Impact of Social Media On Mental Health
The world has become more connected due to the rise of social media. However, overdependence on social media has got some adverse effects on our mental health. Despite the several advantages of social media, using them too frequently can be risky to our mental health.
Overuse of social media can affect one’s self-esteem. Comparing yourself to what others post on social media platforms can impart the feeling of self-doubt. Trying to develop a sense of worth by comparing yourself to others on social media puts our happiness at risk.
Spending too much time on social media platforms affects our communication skills. People should be able to communicate and build a personal relationship with one another. However, this is hard when we spent a lot of time interacting on social media than in real life.
The use of social media can affect memory. Although social media is good at keeping memories of past events, it can affect how you can recall certain happenings in your life. By putting our attention on posting experiences which will impress our friends on social media, we will have less time to enjoy the aspects in real life.
Spending a lot of time on social media may lead to lack of sleep. Getting upset or envious from what we see from the internet keeps our mind on high alert, preventing us from falling asleep.
Additionally, social media, when used too much or without caution, can lead to the development of mental health issues such as anxiety or depression. Too much concern about the feelings of your social media friends and who does not necessarily know who you are can make you feel anxious.