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What is the negative effect of social media on the mental health of individuals

What Is The Negative Effect Of Social Media On The Mental Health?

August 12, 2020

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Overview

It is quite impossible to understand how everyone’s life would be without social media. This is because it has become such a vital part of everyone’s life. Social media helps us to find entertainment when we have nothing to do. But it can even lead to a negative impact on a person’s mental health. It is important to be aware of the risk benefits of mental health because of social media. If you are facing a problem then it is important to consult the best psychiatrist in Ludhiana.

 Impact of social media

Studies have shown that the harmful impact of social media has increased on the mental health of individuals. On average, the person spends 2 hours on social media platforms and websites. Well, not only does it provide entertainment or break from your day, social media can give you information and understanding about different resources.

Social media is used by young adults the most. But, with time it has become more established among different age groups and its usage has increased a lot. Some of the popular options are Facebook and Youtube. For young users, the preferred choice is Snapchat and Instagram. According to some studies, it has shown that Snapchat is used by users multiple times.

The hidden problem of social media

Social media has risks and benefits to mental health. The danger lies in compromising ourselves with others. After the use of screen time and using social media people often feel jealous.

People often start comparing themselves to others by seeing others going on vacation, seeing lots of likes, and online friends can take a toll.

Daily, the person can start feeling inadequate and they can have a feeling of depression and anxiety. In case, you are already feeling depressed, then social media can make those feelings even worse. Some of the warning signs include:

  • Anxiety when you can’t check social media
  • Withdrawal from family and friends
  • Losing interest in real-life activities
  • Interrupting a real-life interaction to check social media
  • Excessive FOMO—” fear of missing out” on interactions and news
  • Lying about how much time you spend online
  • Neglecting school or work

Problem faced by teens and young adults

For the different age groups, the comparison is highly different. The favorite platforms like Instagram and Snapchat are used by adult users and this makes them feel unattractive. One study has also found that young users start feeling unattractive about their looks. They have body image issues which can even lead to depression and anxiety.