Contents
- 1 How social media affects mental health?
- 2 Why is the Internet bad for mental health?
- 3 What does social media do to your brain?
- 4 How social media affects mental health pros and cons?
- 5 Is there a relationship between internet addiction and depression?
- 6 Does technology make us depressed?
- 7 Is technology good for your mental health?
- 8 What are 3 risks of social media?
- 9 What can social media addiction lead to?
- 10 Why social media is bad for teens?
- 11 What are the disadvantages of mental health?
- 12 How social media Affects mental health dissertation?
- 13 How social media affects mental health of kids?
However, multiple studies have found a strong link between heavy social media and an increased risk for depression, anxiety, loneliness, self-harm, and even suicidal thoughts. Social media may promote negative experiences such as: Inadequacy about your life or appearance.
Why is the Internet bad for mental health?
Excessive Internet use may create a heightened level of psychological arousal, resulting in little sleep, failure to eat for long periods, and limited physical activity, possibly leading to the user experiencing physical and mental health problems such as depression, OCD, low family relationships and anxiety.
Social media has the ability to both capture and scatter your attention. Not only does this lead to poorer cognitive performance, but it shrinks parts of the brain associated with maintaining attention.
Impacts of Social Media on Mental Health
- Pro – Increases communication and raising awareness.
- Con – Promotion of fake news.
- Pro – Can help combat feelings of loneliness and isolation.
- Con – Can also increase feelings of loneliness.
- Pro – Normalises help seeking behaviour.
- Con – Can promote anti-social behaviour.
Is there a relationship between internet addiction and depression?
Those having internet addiction are found to be more depressed (odds ratio=14, 95% CI=7.9-24.6), stressed (odds ratio=12, 95% CI=5.5-25.7) and anxious (odds ratio=3.3, (95% CI=1.9-5.6), as compared to those who are not having internet addiction.
Does technology make us depressed?
Phones and sleep habits A 2017 study from the Journal of Child Development found that smartphones can cause sleep problems in teens, which led to depression, anxiety and acting out.
Is technology good for your mental health?
Overall, in terms of the relationship between screen use and both physical and mental health outcomes, there have been several studies that suggest higher levels of screen use in children and adolescents is associated with reduced physical activity, increased risk of depression, and lower well-being.
The risks you need to be aware of are:
- cyberbullying (bullying using digital technology)
- invasion of privacy.
- identity theft.
- your child seeing offensive images and messages.
- the presence of strangers who may be there to ‘groom’ other members.
Excessive social media use can not only cause unhappiness and a general dissatisfaction with life in users but also increase the risk of developing mental health issues such as anxiety and depression.
Social media harms However, social media use can also negatively affect teens, distracting them, disrupting their sleep, and exposing them to bullying, rumor spreading, unrealistic views of other people’s lives and peer pressure. The risks might be related to how much social media teens use.
What are the disadvantages of mental health?
Complications
- Unhappiness and decreased enjoyment of life.
- Family conflicts.
- Relationship difficulties.
- Social isolation.
- Problems with tobacco, alcohol and other drugs.
- Missed work or school, or other problems related to work or school.
- Legal and financial problems.
- Poverty and homelessness.
Analysis of the results showed that social media use has the potential to affect individuals’ mental health. In fact, this study indicated that a link between increased usage of social media and depression exists. In other words, use of social media was positively associated with depressive symptoms.
The time our kids spend online has a direct effect on their mental health. Too much time on social media can lead to bullying, depression, and anxiety. Spending more than four hours a day online significantly increases a child’s risk of becoming hyperactive and inattentive, and decreases feelings of self-worth.