The Impact of Social Media on Mental Health

Social media has evolved a lot over the years. While many people believe that Myspace was the first social media platform, that’s not the case. Instead, a platform called SixDegrees.com, launched by Andrew Weinreich, was the first online platform that allowed users to connect with others.

By the year 2000, the site had millions of registered users, but it was never able to monetize, which led to its inevitable collapse during the dot-com bubble burst. A large portion of SixDegrees’ problem stemmed from the fact that people in the late 90s didn’t really understand social media.

A few years later, in 2003, Myspace launched and everyone became friends with Tom. By integrating music and customization options, Myspace became the leading name in the world of social media on a global scale.

However, Tom Anderson and Chris Dewolfe, the founders of Myspace, probably had no idea just how prevalent social media would be by 2024.

Today, there are approximately 8.2 billion people on planet Earth. According to a study published in October 2023, more than 4.95 billion of those people use social media in some capacity.

According to the same study, the average person accesses 6.7 different social media platforms at least once a month. Facebook, which is still among the most popular social media platforms, reports that nearly 70% of its registered users access their platform at least once a day.

In addition to the rise in social media use in recent years, we’ve also witnessed an increase in mental health problems. As many experts around the globe now call these issues the “mental health epidemic,” it’s fair to wonder if there is a link between the two. T

here are multiple studies available, and many more still ongoing, that indicate that many of the mental health issues that are plaguing people around the world, regardless of their age may be linked directly to social media use.

Learn more about the link between social media and mental health today, and find some tips for how you can protect your own mental well-being, even if you regularly use social media.

The Link Between Social Media and Self-Perception

It’s been said that comparison is the thief of joy, and even if it wasn’t the goal of social media when it was created, comparing yourself to the other people on your feeds or timelines is the natural reaction when you’re scrolling through.

According to studies, this negative impact on self-esteem is more prevalent in children, teens, and young adults, but no age group is exempt from viewing themselves negatively because of the information that they see on social media.

Whether it’s because of filters, blatant dishonesty, hyperbole, or other factors, social media has the potential to create some unrealistic standards.

When you’re looking at your feed and see the lives of others and how perfect they appear to be, it’s hard not to think about the parts of your life that are a bit lacking. It’s virtually impossible to remember that you’re only seeing the version of others’ lives that they want you to see and that everything you see may not even be accurate.

Social media also fuels the quest for validation. People want to be liked and accepted by other people, and now, that acceptance is measured in likes and comments. This creates a toxic cycle where people feel like their value is lowered if their post or picture doesn’t get enough positive feedback, or if a person who they’re hoping likes their content doesn’t respond to it.

All of these issues work together to create a potentially hazardous link between social media and self-esteem.

The Sad Reality of Cyberbullying

Previous generations dealt with bullies, but they were able to put a face with their tormentor’s name. That’s not the case anymore, as anyone can create a social media profile without any accurate identifying information.

This makes it not only possible but easy for bullies to target people while hiding in the shadows of the internet. Without any sort of accountability, online bullies can spread hateful messages, threats, rumors, and harassment without any real fear of being caught.

While young people are more likely to deal with the long-term ramifications of cyberbullying, everyone is prone to experience it at some point. The effects of cyberbullying are multifaceted.

In the short term, people may be forced to deal with the fallout that comes from hateful rumors and outright lies that damage their reputations. In the long term, people who are the subject of cyberbullying may find themselves struggling to trust others while also dealing with lower self-esteem.

One of the best things about social media is that it allows you to connect with people who you may not get to know otherwise. Unfortunately, that’s also one of the worst things about it, as it’s impossible to know who’s truly behind every account that you see, including those who participate in cyberbullying.

Federal and state government officials are working to write legislation that would focus on cyberbullying in an attempt to keep up with the ever-changing digital landscape, but the problem continues, at least for now.

If you or someone you know is dealing with cyberbullying, reach out to someone who you know personally, not just online.

Social Media’s Link to Anxiety and Depression

Many of the issues that we’ve already discussed can open the door for social media users to experience anxiety and depression.

For instance, the teenager who is getting cyberbullied is more likely to experience anxiety, especially if they get to school only to find out that everyone believes a made-up rumor about them that has been shared online.

Additionally, the professional who was once satisfied with their career progress may be overcome with depression and desperation when they see how much more successful their college roommate appears to be on social media. The information that we process online, and there is a lot of it, has a direct impact on how we view ourselves, our lives, and our relationships with others.

There are other aspects that must be considered, too. Social media platforms that rely heavily on visual media such as TikTok and Instagram have the potential to create negative body image problems.

When you see someone on your feed who looks like they spend all their time in a gym, or their able to get into a pair of jeans that you could never wear, it’s natural to find yourself comparing your body to theirs.

While there’s nothing wrong with wanting to be the healthiest version of yourself that you can be, negative body image is tied to anxiety and depression. In some extreme cases, it even leads to body dysphoria and eating disorders. These disorders can have long-lasting impacts on your overall health.

Additionally, social media facilitates the natural fear of missing out, or FOMO. Have you ever checked your social media feed only to see that two of your friends are out at an event that you weren’t invited to? Or perhaps, you were invited but you weren’t able to make it. FOMO can quickly turn into feelings of being rejected or unwanted.

Finally, many people deal with anxiety because they are addicted to social media. Social media addiction is very real, even if it’s not yet an official diagnosis according to the DSM-5. However, there are many advocates who are pushing the decision-makers who are responsible for that medical standard to include it.

Does Social Media Affect Mental Health?

There is undoubtedly a correlation between social media use and mental health. This is especially true for those who have a dependency or an addiction to social media.

How does social media affect mental health? It may be easier to determine ways that it doesn’t play a role in mental well-being.

Make no mistake about it, social media is not going anywhere. As new technologies are developed, new platforms will launch and existing platforms will work to make themselves more attractive. If you have mental health problems, it’s important to understand how to safely use your social media.

Even if you haven’t been diagnosed with anxiety, depression, or another mental health problem, if you notice the signs and symptoms of mental health problems tied to social media usage, get help. You are worth it.