FROM LIKE TO LONELINESS: AN IMPACT OF SOCIAL MEDIA ON MENTAL HEALTH:
The impact of social media on mental health has many consequences. These impacts could fluctuate according to the usage of social media and it counts the age bracket in which a person falls. Nowadays, it is observed that many old people associate with the overuse of YouTube (Forbes, 2012). However, 95 mental health practitioners around the globe responded negative impact of excessive usage of social media, common themes that surfaced regarding negative impacts included: (Nichole,2020).
Higher rates of depression • Low self-esteem • Anxiety • Isolation • Change Behaviour
HOW WOULD YOU RECOGNIZE YOURSELF IF YOU ARE A SOCIAL MEDIA ADDICT?
Many psychologists and psychiatrists suggested if a person uses social media more than 4-5 hours a day so he will be on the edge of dreadful results. However, these hours can vary concerning age group. It is observed that teen social media users have more screen time than those whose age bracket is above 30 (Deyan,2023).
HOW RAPIDLY SOCIAL MEDIA USERS ARE INCREASING?
There are 4.76 billion social media users which covers 59.4 percent of the world’s population. There are 26 percent of social media platform users aged between 18-29 and amazingly this figure is not constant but getting surged day by day.
WHY THE IMMEDIATE SURGE OF SOCIAL NETWORKING SITES?
People use social media platforms or social networking sites for many reasons for the purpose including communication, entertainment, and searching for new information but the notable fact is adolescents and young adults use social media networking sites more frequently and the data shows the reason for e-games and video platforms like TikTok (Twenge and Campbell, 2019).
MENTAL HEALTH SYMPTOMS DUE TO EXCESSIVE USAGE OF SOCIAL MEDIA:
There are several mental health symptoms people usually complain about when it comes to excessive usage of social media:
1. UNEXPLAINED ANXIETY: People who excessively use social networking sites suffer from unexplained anxiety, when a psychiatrist asks them, they usually could not able to give any adequate reason.
2. SLEEP DEPRIVATION: Social media users also experience the most serious and common symptom of sleep deprivation or loss of sleep. Moreover, the teenage group has more sleep deprivation cases that adults.
3. BEHAVIOURAL CHANGE: Social media has altered the form of interaction and collective behavior of its users around the world. The research concluded in his research paper that people turn into introverts and ambiguous personalities (Swar and Hameed, 2017, p.171).
4. ISOLATION: Isolation from social networks is defined as "a lack of personal relationship”. Isolation from other people even if they are close ones. In the biological language, their morbidity rates are low, Individuals with poor engagement with others, social belonging, and satisfying relationships are more likely to die and suffer from morbidity and mortality (Choi and Noh, 2019).
STEPS NEED TO BE TAKEN TO ERADICATE SOCIAL MEDIA ADDICTION: MAKE FRIENDS:
If you are a social media addict and experience mental health symptoms due to excessive usage of social media, make friends and talk to them physically to share your thoughts with them. Do not make virtual friends but real ones.
INTERACT WITH THEM FIRST: If you think you are an introverted personality and feel trouble shaking hands first or are afraid to talk to first, then prepare your mind to kill your fear and start talking to people. At a certain point, you will be used to it without any hesitation.
MAKE SCHEDULE: Make a list of your hours, divide them with the productivity hours, and give 1- 2 hours to your break session in which you could do anything including wasting time on social media.
CONCLUSION:
If you think, you are excessively using social networking sites or spending countless hours on Facebook or Instagram, you better take counseling sessions from a recognized psychologist or psychiatrist to get rid of this addiction. Using social media has advantages and disadvantages both but it mainly depends on the user and how a person uses social media or how many hours you give to social media platforms so that could not undermine your efficiency. Sudden changes in behaviors and personality disorders are common symptoms, people usually observe suffering from them. It is a process from likes to loneliness when overusing social media platforms. Many researchers concluded dreadful results of social media usage as well as precautions and prevention one can take to get rid of social media addiction. If you see anybody who feels lonely or having symptoms of depression, suggest them visit a psychologist or a doctor.
REFERENCES:
Choi & Noh, The impact of online social networking on adolescent psychological well-being (WB): a population-level analysis of Korean school-aged children. Dragana O, Belem B, Effect of social media use on psychological well-being, CETYS Universidad, Tijuana, Mexico, 2021 Francis & William, Reaching older adults during the COVID-19 pandemic through social networks and Social Security Schemes in Ghana: Lessons for considerations, 2020, p. 699-701 Holliman, A. J., Waldeck, D., Jay, B., Murphy, S., Atkinson, E., Collie, R. J., et al. (2021). Adaptability and social support: examining links with psychological wellbeing among UK students and non-students. Paula Forbes, Older people's social sharing practices in YouTube through an ethnographical lens, Older people's social sharing practices in YouTube through an ethnographical lens, 2012, p.273 O'Reilly M, Dogra N, Hughes J, Reilly P, George R, Whiteman N: Potential of social media in promoting mental health in adolescents. Health Promote Int. 2018, 34:981-991. Swar & Abdul Hameed, Is social media bad for mental health and wellbeing? Exploring the Perspectives of Adolescents, 2013, Keles B, McCrae N, Grealish A: A systematic review: the influence of social media on depression, anxiety and psychological distress in adolescents, 2012, p.18
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