Over three billion people have used social media, and there has been an ongoing discussion about whether being involved with these platforms is good or bad for one’s mental health. Indeed, the evidence suggests that it can go either way because the data is not cut and dry. Of course, there are pros and there are cons. However, there is an interesting story from the BBC that tackled this never-ending argument about the effects of social media in our lives.
SELF-ESTEEM
Authenticity somewhat diminishes when it comes to social media. The photos of friends and people we know can somehow trigger our self-esteem and lead us to refrain from showing who we really are. Especially with women. Instead of embracing what they have, physically and materially, they tend to splurge — using their credit cards — on things they don’t really need, or use filters and photo-editing apps just to look stunning in every selfie they decide to post on Instagram or Facebook.
RELATIONSHIPS
How would you feel in the middle of a romantic dinner with your partner if he or she keeps checking his or her phone? Exactly — it’s very upsetting! And how would you react if, when with your friends and while having an interesting conversation about insurance or personal life, they decidedly keep checking their phones? It’s frustrating! Studies show that having a phone or being involved with social media (specifically Facebook) tends to inhibit engagement between people, increasing insecurity in a relationship.
SLEEP
Artificial lighting impedes the natural ability of the body to release melatonin, which helps us fall asleep. Then there’s blue light, that comes from phones and laptops we might’ve purchased using the payday loans we just received. Researchers from the University of Pittsburgh stated that the light emitted by these electronic gadgets keeps us from getting eight hours of sleep. Though more clarifications are needed, it’s safe to say that scrolling through TikTok or Twitter while lying in bed is the norm nowadays.
MOOD
What one sees on Facebook and other social media platforms may greatly affect their mood. If you encounter something good, like cute and fluffy pets, or something bad, like if a friend posts bad news, then these will significantly influence your mood. Aside from the rant posts of friends about their declined cash loans, bad weather tends to heighten negative posts by 1%.
LONELINESS
Study shows that people who spend too much time on social media experience social isolation twice as much. This includes difficulties in social engagement and a reduced sense of social belongingness and fulfillment.
ENVY
How you react to envy will make or break you. Envy may arise when you see travel photos of others, or if you encounter someone’s post, boasting about their achievements — in a snap, you’ll limit your credit cards. However, a study from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and Michigan University showed that envy-triggering photos like that of travels, of people getting engaged, and of people showing off luxury items, tend to get viewers to work harder.
The effect of social media is not the same for everyone and will depend on various factors, including personality traits and pre-existing conditions. In comparison, with food, vices, and temptations of the modern era, excessive use of these platforms is not advisable. However, just like mortgage loans, it’s not right to say that social media is a bad thing since it also furnishes us with immense advantages. The conclusion on this is vague, but moderate use can be the best way to go in order to avoid unprecedented problems.
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