In today’s highly interconnected society, social media channels are found almost everywhere, thus dictating how we communicate, relate to each other, and perceive the world around us. From Facebook to Instagram, Twitter to TikTok, these digital spaces have changed our way of communicating and consuming information in the way we do things on the internet. On the other hand, social media attracts likes, shares, and follows, but beneath the surface is a complex relationship between social media use and mental health.
The power of the digital age has provided connectivity at unprecedented speed and distance. I can keep in touch with my friends and families regardless of where they are—in other words, anywhere in the world—at the speed of my fingers. Besides, there are a multitude of issues to overcome, and most of them are related to mental health problems in the digital age.
The most notable concern about social media is the effects that it can have on self-esteem, such as the feeling of inadequacy. Endless scrolling of the feeds that have been carefully curated and are full of edited pictures and highlight reels may trigger one to make comparisons and have a feeling of inadequacy, which might result in negative emotions. It is easy to be part of the group of people who think that everyone else's life is perfect when our lives do not meet their expectations.
Furthermore, the incessant flood of notifications and news updates can result in information overload and other cognitive challenges. Our brains are constantly overloaded with the everlasting flow of information, making it hard to stay focused and disconnected from the digital world. The face value of non-stop distraction is that it leaves us with less mental clarity and a low emotional state as well.
What is quite problematic is the involvement of social media networks in the phenomenon of cyberbullying and online harassment. Anonymity on the internet can provide hands to those who would do horrible things they would never dare to implement in the presence of others. The abuse of cyberbullying can be very harmful to the student’s mental health, resulting in mental disorders such as anxiety, depression, or even suicidal thoughts.
Nevertheless, though there are equally many issues with it, we need to acknowledge that social media itself is not necessarily dangerous for a human`s mental state. A tool depends on how it is used because its impact depends on how it’s used. When used in the right way with purpose and intent, social media can be a very effective tool for the creation of connections, building communities, and self-expression.
As such, what are the strategies by which we can experience the digital age without compromising our mental health?
Principally, to get started, it is imperative to create awareness of our social media usage patterns. Identify the amount of time you spend on different technologies and how you feel about them. Try to relax, enter some place cooler, or limit your usage if you catch yourself feeling anxious, inadequate, or overwhelmed.
Moreover, you can create a profile on social media, which will be dedicated to sharing the posts that help lift and inspire you. Deactivate the negative accounts that provoke anger or promote unhealthy standards of beauty or achievement. Replace yourself with content that fits you and creates a feeling of inclusion and association.
Additionally, give more importance to real-life connections and the exposure of real-world activities instead of virtual connections and activities. Make time to hang out with friends and family in person, do the things you love, and go outside to enjoy nature instead of spending all your time on your screen.
The last thing: please do not forget that it's okay to ask for assistance if you're in turmoil. Connect with a reliable friend, family member, or mental health provider to get the right kind of support. You are not to face the difficulties of the digital age on your own.
In this regard, the influence of the media on the mental health of people is a complicated and multi-purpose problem. In contrast to feelings of isolation, distraction, and loneliness, it is also capable of creating connections, communities, and self-expression. Through raising awareness, maintaining limits, and algorithmizing true connections, we can go along with the digital age while still maintaining our mental well-being. Let's utilize the strength of social media to enlighten and encourage each other, not hurt and hurt each other.
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