OPINION — When someone hears or sees something happening on social media, a wide range of emotions can form. Most of the time, it is excitement or curiosity. However, many people do not realize how addictive social media can become. So many people get caught endlessly scrolling through various social media apps for hours on end without realizing how much time they have spent on them. Because of this attachment and addiction, social media can turn from a form of entertainment into something more harmful than many may realize.
When people first download a social media app, it is usually because they see their friends using it or want to be part of the trends that are happening. As people become more active, it becomes easier to see the negative effects social media has on a person and their mental health. Social media can cause a handful of mental health problems, including anxiety and depression. Another negative effect many young people face is the widespread spread of misinformation and the cyberbullying that occurs online.
Mental health is usually one of the first things affected by being on social media throughout the day, often leading to anxiety and depression. Whenever someone is scrolling through their feed, they constantly see edited photos, videos and posts that make life seem unrealistic. Many people try to live up to these unrealistic standards created on social media, and when they feel like they cannot, it leads to feelings of stress, worry and self-doubt, which can result in anxiety. Unfortunately, it does not stop with anxiety. Because of the unrealistic posts, the interactions that happen online often lack depth and real connection. This can make an individual feel extremely lonely when they see posts of people who appear happy and successful, which can then lead to depression. With how much time people spend on social media, it is understandable how it can affect someone’s mental health.
Social media can harm someone’s mental health, but it is also a way for people to harm others online. When someone is on social media, it gives them the ability to say things about others that are not true while being hidden behind a screen. This misinformation can be spread quickly and reach many people in a short amount of time. Because users are hidden behind screens, it is harder to find out who shared the information and hold them accountable. This false information can be extremely hurtful. Cyberbullying can follow a person around for years, and once something is posted, it can be permanent. Hurtful comments, rumors and harassment can all be easily found on social media, and because they spread so widely and are seen by many people, they can be very difficult to escape.
While social media can be entertaining and informative, the negative impact it has on people cannot be overlooked. Because social media is addictive, it can lead to anxiety and depression. Not only are there negative effects on mental health, but cyberbullying can also create an unsafe and misleading environment for those who just want to have fun. Because of these negative effects, some people have chosen not to use social media, and others who do may eventually delete it completely. This leads to a question more people need to ask: Are the negative effects of social media really worth it?
