Look at any random person in a public place, such as a bus stop or a cafe, you will find them busy with their Smartphones. And in most cases, people are browsing through reels and consuming other online content. According to some estimates, nearly 4 billion people use networking sites like Instagram and Facebook globally. This use has urged mental health experts to research whether social media has a role to play in causing depression in people.
Research indicates that people who restrict their social media usage are happier than those who fail to do so. The studies also highlight how social media can trigger negative emotions in users, which can worsen their depressive symptoms.
A U.S. Surgeon General, in May 2023, shared an advisory and brought to notice the after-effects of social media on the mental health of youth. He stated that at crucial phases of adolescent brain development, unmanaged social media use can reduce their feeling of being content. That aside, online content propels them to have sleep issues, body image problems, and much more. All these gradually lead to depression.
This view is supported by research done by West Virginia University, stating that teens using TikTok, YouTube, and Instagram are vulnerable to depression and similar symptoms.
In this article, we will shed light on how social media can result in depression and what we can do to curb it.
Does Social Media Lead to Depression?
Smartphones started to be available commercially around 2007. Close to 92% of teens and young adults got themselves a smartphone in the following years. Research suggests that the depressive symptoms linked with mobile phone use started to gain prominence between 2007 and 2015.
The Journal of Social and Clinical Psychology shared a study that affirms the link between social media use and negative impacts on well-being. Jordyn Young, who co-authored this paper and also belonged to the University of Pennsylvania shared an interesting insight. She said they found out that when people are conscious of the time they spend on social media; they feel less isolated. It means browsing less of online content paves the path for emotional and mental balance.
Furthermore, TruLaw states that, when people are constantly available on social media sites, it heightens feelings of anxiety and loneliness. They automatically get consumed with the pressure to have a perfect and constant online presence to stay relevant. Not being able to do so results in poor self-esteem and tension. That aside, they gradually develop the habit of self-comparison with others, which makes them feel inadequate about themselves.
How Acute Is FOMO?
Jerry Bubrick, who works as a clinical psychologist at the Child Mind Institute states that FOMO (Fear Of Missing Out) happens when you are apprehensive about not being connected to your social world. It triggers in people the sentiment to constantly know what’s happening in the social world. It stems from not being able to relish the present moment. And the more one is obsessed with social media, the more they aren’t able to stay calm and content in the present moment.
Additionally, Amy Summerville who teaches psychology at Miami University states that FOMO generates from a feeling that you could have been there when you aren’t present. She says that the reason it’s important to ponder on, is that all people who we consider important do not include us in their daily lives. FOMO can be recognized as an extension of problems related to social inclusion and stranding.
There are moments when you browse Instagram and wonder why you weren’t invited to an event. Or you could think why aren’t you having the life someone else is having? All these create a sentiment of lack in the brain which makes you feel that you and your life aren’t enough as per social standards. When this starts to happen continuously, it leads to depression and other mental health issues such as anxiety, paranoia, panic attacks, and social isolation.
How To Address and Solve This Issue?
By now, you are aware that social media seriously harms your mental health if you don’t use it wisely. Therefore, you must be conscious of the signs of depression early and start exercising self-care. It is necessary to choose alternative methods of healthy and positive interaction that can help you curb excess social media use.
A few helpful measures to implement include:
- Keep a balance where you are on social media and are a part of social interactions simultaneously. It will enhance your self-worth and confidence.
- The majority of app developers are attempting to attract users with end-to-end notifications. These messages are curated with attractive wording that you would want to take a look at. The ideal way to escape this trap is to switch off the notifications.
- Teens should disengage from social media from time to time and start having real-time conversations with their parents, friends, and others with whom they feel connected. They should try to find happiness and contentment in the real world. It’s much better than feeling happy about hypothetical situations they think about while browsing social media. It will reduce delusory thoughts and plant them into reality.
- Adults and teens should add practices such as phone-free dinners that help them to enjoy the present moment.
- One of the best practices is to not browse social media sites before sleeping as that can trigger the mind, which can lead to nightmares. Disconnect from the phone a few hours before sleeping to maintain your inner calm and poise.
In conclusion, using anything in an uncontrolled manner can lead to negative impacts. Social media is just one such example. Now that you are aware of the negatives of excessive Instagram or TikTok use, you must reduce your screen time and get engaged in real-time interactions. It will help you to see things as they are, not form unreal thoughts, manage your FOMO better, and enable you to lead your life to your best capacity.
