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How Social Media Affects Kids Mental Health
Experts believe that as more teenagers use social networking sites like Instagram and Facebook, the information they absorb is having an impact on their mental health. More than a billion individuals use social media throughout the globe, yet many parents hope their children can stay away from it for as long as possible.
Numerous research has identified a link between time spent on social media and the number of sites used, as well as anxiety and depression. The majority of this research shows a link between social media use and anxiety and depression, however, this does not always imply that social media is to blame (Berryman et al., p. 307). It’s uncertain if social media utilization causes symptoms of anxiety and depression, or whether those who are already anxious or depressed engage it more than their counterparts.
Another issue, according to experts, is that social networking sites use can interrupt sleep, which can contribute to worry and sadness. In reality, many teenagers and young people are concerned about what is known as FoMO, or “fear of missing out,” which is anxiety over missing out on opportunities. FoMO can be exacerbated by social media, for instance, if someone sees tweets about an event to which they were not invited. Considering social connectedness is vital for teenage growth, they may be more exposed to the harmful effects of social media (Berryman et al., p. 307). FoMO can be triggered by social media use, and the feeling of being left out can lead to negative emotions.
Cyberbullying, or harassment that happens online, is yet another dangerous feature of social media. Up to 72 percent of teenagers report they have been bullied or harassed at some time in their lives. Face-to-face bullying has a stronger link to attempted suicides than online bullying (Wongkoblap et al., p. e228). Unlike in-person bullying, cyberbullying victims are unable to escape it; it takes place online and is hidden from instructors and families.
In conclusion, social media use can have a negative impact on kids’ and teenage people’s mental health. Anxiety, sadness, body image issues, self-harm, and substance misuse are just a few of the negative repercussions. Social networking sites, on the other hand, is a tremendous tool for young people to interact, remain in contact with friends, trade content, obtain support and guidance, and access a plethora of information. Considering all of the advantages, its usage by children and teenagers should not be outlawed (Wongkoblap et al., p. e228). Institutions, guardians, and digital sector corporations must work together to protect children from harm instead of overreacting to problems on the spot.
Work Cited
Berryman, Chloe, Christopher J. Ferguson, and Charles Negy. “Social media use and mental health among young adults.” Psychiatric quarterly 89.2 (2018): 307-314.
Wongkoblap, Akkapon, Miguel A. Vadillo, and Vasa Curcin. “Researching mental health disorders in the era of social media: systematic review.” Journal of medical Internet research 19.6 (2017): e228.