By Michaela Cleary, World News Editor
Human beings are social creatures. We as people need the companionship of others to thrive in life. The strength of these relationships and the connections we make play a huge role in our mental health and well-being. The use of social media can allow us to connect with others that we may not normally see. However, despite this, social media can also detach us from many things that are going on around us, which can negatively impact our mental health.
Today, many people rely on social media as their only outlet for social interactions. This behavior breeds a sense of false reality, as we have grown accustomed to living through others. Being with others online is significantly less fulfilling than spending time in person. Social media should never replace in person interaction.
Social media use also has a huge link to cyberbullying. We are seeing an increase of online bullying in recent years, as social media platforms have been growing. According to a study published by Boston Medical Center of Psychiatry, cyberbullying has increased from 3.8 to 6.4percent for girls and 1.9 to 5.6 percent for boys.
A huge problem people have when used social media is comparing themselves to others. It can be incredibly frustrating seeing social media influencers post unrealistic photos of themselves online, using very strategic lighting and angles. With the use of filters and photoshop, body image comparison has become a huge problem, especially for women.
These problems are nonexistent for in person interactions. In person interactions even allow for health benefits. According to an article by Mayo Clinic, “Socializing not only staves off feelings of loneliness, but also it helps sharpen memory and cognitive skills, increases your sense of happiness and well-being, and may even help you live longer.” This is not something you would get by just using social media.
Because of the world we live in, it is impossible to cut out the use of social media altogether. However, there are still many ways in which we can advance our mental health state when using social media apps. Limiting screen time is beneficial. Putting a time limit on these apps allows usto only devote a small amount of time per day to scrolling. Another way to maintain a positive mental health state when using social media is by unfollowing accounts that do not show respect and promote unrealistic body and lifestyle standards.
It is vital to use social media in moderation and prioritize mental health. Taking steps towards limiting screen time will allow for a more present and fulfilled life.
