It seems like you are not someone unless you are on some form of social media. And it is like a new platform is developed every year. Facebook (or Meta), Twitter, Snapchat, Instagram, TikTok, and I am sure there are many more. How many times have you heard comments and commercials like “you can easily find us on Facebook at…” or “come interact with your favorite star on Instagram!” The internet seems to become the place to find your favorites. But how social is social media?
Social Media on My Mental Health
As many know I am finishing up my master’s degree program. Recently, we discussed how social media impacts mental health services. During this class, I started thinking about how even now, I use social media to help get my messages out to the world. But we all know that there is a negative side to social media. Makes you wonder how society got along without the internet.
Bad Side
I know friends and family that have been bullied on social media. Having a platform to say whatever you want with little to no consequences opens the door for so many to verbalize hatred and false information. To add to this, many of the social media sites allow you to choose a screen name that is unique to you and may not need to contain any form of your name if you do not wish. Giving people the chance to hide behind a hidden persona and still be able to deliver their negativity.
Good Side
Don’t get me wrong. Social media has the ability to reach populations in other countries. It can help to organize and support groups in a unified concept. Even though there is the opportunity to hide behind a screen name, that too can be used in a positive manner. Some of us (yes me too,) struggle with voicing our opinions about subjects, or have questions on topics that are sensitive. Social media offers the chance to ask our questions and voice our opinions anonymously (to a point).
So why am I talking about this? Social media is a part of our lives. Just about 97% of the United States population has a smartphone and uses social media every day. I wanted to talk about this, because as we are so engrossed about a new video on Instagram or TikTok, we are losing out on a vital element of our lives. Human interaction has become an endangered species in society.
Kids are chatting with their friends rather than calling them on the phone. Family is video chatting instead of visiting. I too have been known to reach out to friends by sending a text message to see how they are doing. Social media may offer a way to reach out to friends and family while meeting new people. But at what cost?
Hiding in Social Media
The other angle of social media comes with the opportunity of strangers being able offer opinions and unwanted suggestions. If you are like me, you take what people say about you personally, no matter who they are or if you know them. Like they seem to know everything, and we end up giving them more power than they deserve. So, if you are a people pleaser like me, it is very easy to develop a level of depression or anxiety on what people say about you on social media.
Not Just About Me
Then I really get concerned as my 8-year-old son has been showing interest in YouTube and making his own videos. He is already very sensitive to what other people think about him, that the concern is now greater. What could happen when he sees his first negative remark? How will this impact his young mental health? I know it is a matter of time. And I know I can only protect him for so long.
So how does social media impact mental health? Severely. It offers benefits of getting more information and more support. But in turn allows for negative remarks and hatred to get to us too. Navigating my own life is hard enough but trying to protect my son when it comes to social media, is downright challenging.
With great warmth,
