Social Media in Our Mind Essay Example

social media affects self-esteem since people usually share their most confident self-image in anticipation of receiving a substantial amount of likes or views. However, when their posts receive minimal or no acknowledgment, it leads to negative feelings and diminished user confidence.

According to Donna Wick, EdD, founder of Mind-to-Mind Parenting, teenagers experience a combination of vulnerability, the need for validation, and a desire to compare themselves with peers. This leads to self-doubt (Jacobson, 2016). The excessive use of social media has negative consequences such as anxiety and depression. A study by the International Journal of Psychology shows that there is a positive correlation between depression and the amount of time adolescents spend on social media (Bashir, 2017). This study also reveals that using social media can cause psycho-social problems like adjustment difficulties and issues with self-esteem (Kalpidou, 2011). Moreover, social media can incite fear among its users.

F.O.M.O., which stands for Fear of Missing Out, is an abbreviation and term referring to the anxiety and fear that one may be missing out on interesting or exciting events happening elsewhere, often triggered by social media posts (Hogan, 2015). The term gained such popularity that it was officially added to the dictionary in 2017. A study reported by Live Science found that individuals who experience F.O.M.O. tend to feel less competent, autonomous, and connected with others compared to those who do not worry about being left out (Florentine, 2015). Researchers suggest various recommendations to address the issue of F.O.M.O.

The passage emphasizes the significance of decreasing excessive social media usage and prioritizing face-to-face interactions. According to Kuss (2011), extended utilization of social media is seen as a mental health issue

necessitating professional intervention. Brown (2018) discovered that too much reliance on social media is linked with relationship problems, poor academic performance, and decreased involvement in physical communities. These "offline communities" refer to direct communication between individuals. Additionally, Kuss observed that specific individuals, such as alcoholics, highly extroverted individuals, and those who rely on social media to compensate for limited real-life connections, are more prone to developing an addiction to social media. In the past, people used to spend their evenings in darkness; however, nowadays they are constantly surrounded by artificial lighting throughout both day and night.

The use of electronic devices, like smartphones, tablets, and laptops, emitting blue light can interfere with sleep as it hampers the production of melatonin. Melatonin is a hormone responsible for regulating sleep patterns. Consequently, engaging in social media activities before bedtime is expected to have an adverse impact on the quality of sleep.

A study conducted by the University of Pittsburgh involved 1,700 individuals aged 18 to 30. The purpose was to examine how social media use, sleeping patterns, and blue light impact sleep quality. Findings revealed that using social media before bedtime disrupted sleep. Additionally, the research demonstrated that electronic devices emitting blue light had a significant effect on the sleep cycle. This artificial light caused delays in circadian rhythms and hindered melatonin production, leading to physiological arousal before falling asleep.

Social media has the potential to greatly affect individuals and potentially lead to thoughts of suicide. A study involving over 500,000 adolescents and national suicide data for ages 13 to 18 found that between 2010 and 2015, there was a 15% increase in depressive symptoms, suicide-related outcomes, and suicide rates

due to social media (Twenge, 2011). When using social media platforms, users often feel lonely as they see others participating in enjoyable activities and spending time with loved ones.

Excessive use of social media can result in a profound feeling of loneliness and contribute to suicidal thoughts. In light of these mental health concerns, it is vital to investigate alternative approaches for tackling them. Implementing time restrictions on social media usage could be a useful tactic.

Engaging in various activities on social media platforms, such as posting pictures and videos, following others' activities, and showing approval through likes and comments, is a common practice. Many individuals also strive for increased likes and followers. However, it is advised to disconnect from social media entirely if feasible due to the numerous advantages it offers.

A study conducted by the University of Cairo analyzed a graph illustrating the relationship between students' daily hours spent on social media platforms and their academic performance. The graph indicates that reducing time spent on social media is linked to higher grade point averages.

It is crucial to acknowledge that this study encompasses beyond students and their overall GPA. By abstaining from social media, individuals can devote themselves to other aspects of life such as work, hobbies, and spending quality time with loved ones. This shift enables former users to value and prioritize in-person interactions, leading to stronger real-life connections. Additionally, this transformation presents opportunities for new experiences that would have otherwise been overlooked while constantly engrossed in a screen. In summary, it is clear that social media has the ability to profoundly influence users' mental well-being.

Social media may lead to negative outcomes such as depression, anxiety,

sleep deprivation, low self-esteem, addiction, and suicidal thoughts. There may also be other problems linked to it. However, people can reduce or prevent these issues by limiting their social media use and giving importance to in-person interactions and real-life experiences. Ultimately, it is the user's responsibility to determine if social media has a detrimental impact on their mental health.