Social media has become an integral part of people’s daily lives, to connect with others, share experiences, and stay informed. As Warriors head into summer break, many will turn to their phones to fill their days. However, several research studies show that excessive social media use can have a profound impact on one’s mental health.
Social media has affected people’s lives in both positive and negative ways. Three ways in which social media can be seen negatively are the psychological toll social media brings, its addictive nature, and the impact it has on children and their minds. Three ways in which social media can be seen positively are through education, social movements, and access to healthcare.
Social media often takes a psychological toll on the mind by inducing stress and anxiety, as exposure to online influences often presents an unrealistic image of perfection.
“I remember being back in my home country,” said Cheldar Jean-Baptist. “I remember [being] comfortable with who I was, and though I still am moving to the U.S., getting exposed to different types of people and the new standard of beauty, that being lighter skin tone, I felt for the first time less important than I should have. If I’m being honest, social media’s perception of beauty might have urged that feeling.”
The addictive nature of social media negatively impacts mental health through the increase in screen time. According to the University of California Davis Health, an estimated 4.9 billion people worldwide used social media in 2023, with the average person spending 145 minutes on social media daily.
“Social media can negatively impact our overall well-being by fueling anxiety, depression, loneliness, and FOMO (fear of missing out),” the UC Davis Health article states. “These issues are especially prevalent in teens and young adults.”
Social media's negative impact on children and teenagers can be attributed to many factors, including cyberbullying, isolation, and exposure to inappropriate content. These negative effects can lead to mental health issues like depression, anxiety, and sleep problems.
According to “Monitor on Psychology” and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 40% of high school students reported symptoms of depression in 2021, with girls and LGBTQ+ youth reporting at higher rates.
“For teens who grew up with technology, those digital platforms are woven into the fabric of their lives,” Kirsten Weir wrote for the psychology publication. “Even before the COVID-19 pandemic, rates of depression, anxiety, and suicide in young people were climbing.”
On the other hand, social media has also positively benefited education through several attributes, including access to resources and modern learning experiences, and teaching.
A recent study by Pew Research Center found that 95% of American teens use at least one social media platform, and many educators try to engage their students using the technology they are familiar with.
Social media has significantly impacted social movements in positive ways as well, such as increased awareness and unconditional support.
“There’s a great benefit in using social media to spread awareness,” English teacher Maria Pereira said. “It helps reach people and organize social movements. Though I suppose I can’t find it entirely positive, as it is at times tremendously biased, in its purest form, it works.”
Access to healthcare has also been made easier due to the benefits social media has brought to the table. It has brought the awareness and preparation needed to save and improve life.
According to researchers Junhan Chen and Yuan Wang, social media has made a huge contribution throughout the healthcare field, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. Their research has supported the use of social media in healthcare for a specific health purpose, including outbreak surveillance and health campaigns.
People have various perspectives on social media and its impact on society; however, there is no single way to understand it due to its complexity.
“This isn’t something black and white,” Jean-Baptist said. “As this is a critical issue, we have to take into consideration both the positive and negative aspects to find a solution.”