How Social Media Can Affect Mental Health: Benefits and Risks

You may have heard that social media affects mental health and be wondering if that is true. The answer to your question is yes. However, how it does so is largely dependent on how you use it.

There is an upside to the use of social media and a downside, as well. Studies show an indisputable link between excessive social media use and stress, low self-esteem, and mental health conditions such as anxiety and depression.

If you would like to know more about the impact social media can have on your mental health, both good and bad, and what its hidden cost to you might be, read on.

The Social Media Paradox

We were created as social beings who depend on the companionship of others to thrive. A lack of social connection can be detrimental to both our physical and mental health. The paradox of social media refers to its ability to provide this sense of connection while at the same time making you feel lonely and isolated.

Benefits of Social Media Usage

Convenience and connection Social media enables you to connect with friends and family and stay in touch and updated about one another’s lives, regardless of your geographical location. It also facilitates long-distance relationships and can be especially beneficial for people who would otherwise be socially isolated due to physical limitations or the type of environment they live in.

Sense of community and belonging Social media can help foster a sense of community and belonging by enabling you to connect with others who share similar interests, challenges, or experiences.

Expanded horizons Social media enables you to expand your horizons and connect with a wide variety of like-minded people anywhere in the world, and provides an outlet for self-expression, sharing your talents, and learning new skills.

Access to resources Social media can be a valuable tool for finding all kinds of resources, including support groups and special-interest online communities. It also enables participation in virtual events you may not be able to access otherwise.

Risks Of Social Media Usage

Distorts the way you perceive social interactions Online interactions tend to be superficial and lack the depth, intimacy, nuances, and emotional connection of in-person encounters. Misunderstandings can easily arise due to the absence of nonverbal cues such as body language and tone of voice, leaving you feeling unheard, disconnected, isolated, and alone, despite being surrounded by online friends.

Overuse of social media at the expense of face-to-face interactions can also hinder the development of essential social skills that enable you to communicate effectively.

Fear of missing out (FOMO) Seeing other people’s posts about social events and activities can trigger anxiety that you’re either not being told about or missing out on information, experiences, opportunities, or events that other people are enjoying, which drives you to keep going back and checking your social media feeds repeatedly. Feeling left out can lead you to feel isolated, lonely, and depressed over being excluded.

Disrupted sleep patterns Fear of missing out can make it hard for you to disconnect from your device, even way past bedtime. This late-night use of social media overstimulates your brain, makes it difficult to unwind and fall asleep, and disrupts your ability to get a good night’s rest.

Dissatisfaction with your life and appearance Social media tends to present an idealized version of reality, with users showcasing only their best moments and achievements.

Constant exposure to and comparisons with these curated, filtered, and unrealistic portrayals of flawless bodies, happy families, and beautiful homes and vacations may cause you to feel inadequate, envious, or depressed because your life and appearance are not as perfect, exciting, or interesting. This can lead to a distorted body image, low self-esteem, and a sense of being less than.

Cyberbullying Improper use of social media can leave you vulnerable to cyberbullying, which is another person’s use of technology to try and hurt, harass, embarrass, or humiliate you. Examples include posting negative, false, or mean content about you; making threats; or publicly sharing private information, pictures, or videos about you.

Less time for other activities Excessive use of social media can be a distraction that takes time away from other activities, negatively impacts real-life relationships, decreases productivity, and impairs other important areas of your life, such as sleep, social skills, and physical activity.

It can lead to addictive behavior Social media platforms are designed to be addictive, with each like, share, or positive comment triggering a dopamine high that feeds your habit and keeps you coming back for more. They also use algorithms to provide you with content based on your interactions to keep you engaged for longer periods of time.

Signs of Social Media Addiction

Signs of social media addiction look much like symptoms of any other substance abuse disorder. You become consumed by a need to log into your social networking sites; experience a temporary mood boost while engaging with them.

As your tolerance to the amount of time it takes to get a high increases, you need to use social media even more to achieve the same level of satisfaction, and you experience symptoms of withdrawal if your use of it is restricted or stopped.

Tips For Using Social Media Safely

Be mindful Instead of scrolling mindlessly, reflect on why you use social media and what its purpose is in your life. Pay attention to how the different types of content you engage with make you feel, look for subject matter that lifts you up, and block or unfriend anyone whose posts make you feel bad about yourself. Being aware of how social media affects you and using it mindfully can help you maximize its positive benefits and minimize its drawbacks.

Set boundaries The best way to minimize any negative impact social media may have on your life is to decrease your daily screen time. Avoid starting and ending your day online, and try implementing changes such as turning off sound notifications and only checking your social media pages at specified times, not bringing your phone to the table during mealtimes, leaving your phone in a different room at night, and/or taking an occasional digital detox.

Effect of Social Media on Brain Function: The Dopamine Loop

Social media platforms are designed to be addictive by providing endless amounts of immediate rewards such as likes, follows, shares, and positive feedback. Each time you experience one, reward pathways in your brain that trigger the release of dopamine, a brain chemical that makes you feel good, are activated.

Your online behavior is rewarded with a surge of pleasure, known as a dopamine high, that reinforces your social media habit and makes you want to come back for more. This creates a self-perpetuating dopamine loop that can become addictive.

Takeaway On How Social Media Affects Mental Health

The impact social media has on your mental health largely depends on how you use it. Excessive use and mindless scrolling can lead to addiction and contribute to feelings of isolation, anxiety, depression, inadequacy, low self-esteem, and a negative self-image.

However, setting boundaries and using them mindfully can provide access to resources, open doors to virtual events you would not have access to otherwise, and enable you to connect with friends and family regardless of their geographical location.

If your social media usage is affecting your mental health, a trained mental health professional can help you set boundaries, identify, and address any underlying issues. They can help you cut down on harmful social media use and create a healthy relationship with it instead.

For questions about this article on the effects social media has on mental health, or would like to set up an appointment to meet with one of the faith-based counselors at our location, please give us a call.