There are many studies that have linked social media use and
mental health problems. For instance, a University of Pennsylvania study found
that people who used social media for more than 30 minutes a day had a greater
likelihood of having depression and anxiety.
In addition, some studies have shown that using social media
can lead to sleep problems. This is because of the light coming from the device
that can disrupt a person's sleep. It can also increase feelings of loneliness.
When people use social media too much, they are more likely to feel isolation
and stress. Therefore, it's important to find ways to balance these aspects.
While there are many negative effects of social media, some
studies have also shown that it can be beneficial for certain situations. One
example is when a person uses social media to improve their friendships.
Another is when a person uses social media to break down barriers to resources.
Social media has also been linked to cyberbullying. Many of
the social networking platforms are designed to draw attention and keep users
checking their screens for updates. The feeds are often filled with heavily
edited photos and filtered representations of people. People who use these
types of social networking sites have been found to be more likely to have
negative body image.
Studies have shown that excessive social media use leads to
depression, anxiety, and self-harm. In fact, several studies have reported that
adolescents and young adults are more susceptible to depression and anxiety. A
recent systematic review of the effects of screen-based activities on youth's
mental health concluded that more research is needed to determine the exact
causes and mechanisms involved in these effects.
Many of the included studies in the review had a
quantitative or cross-sectional design. However, studies with a longitudinal
design were few. Most of the studies focused on different aspects of mental
health and mental well-being. Some studies examined how social media use and
pathology are connected, while others looked at the effects of social media on
sleep.
Although the majority of the studies reviewed showed a link
between social media use and poor mental health, there were a few studies that
did not. For example, a University of Pittsburgh survey found that people who
used at least two different social networking platforms were more likely to
have anxiety. They also found that the use of at least seven or more social
networking sites was associated with greater levels of depression.
One of the more interesting findings from this study was
that social media can increase a person's risk of suicidal thoughts. Research
has found that heavy social media use increases the risk of depression and
anxiety, and has a link to loneliness.
Aside from the direct effects of social media on mental
health, there are some indirect impacts. Using social media can trigger the
release of dopamine, a chemical found in the brain following the consumption of
chocolate and cigarettes. Dopamine acts like a reward system. As a result, when
people use social media, they are more likely to consume more food.