top of page

Scrolling to Sadness: The Effects of Social Media on Mental Health

Writer's picture: Intern At Mind SplattersIntern At Mind Splatters

Harika Reddy,

Intern, Mind Splatters, July-Aug 2023

A 2018 study found that almost 70 percent of the participants reported checking their social media in bed before going to sleep.

It is not uncommon that everybody around us is constantly engaging in social media throughout the day. Though constantly scrolling on social media may seem fun and a great way to pass free time, it has many effects on one's mental health.

Here are 10 ways social media affects mental health:

  • Increases feelings of anxiety and depression

Humans are social creatures, and we thrive on connections to maintain mental health. When we spend many hours on social media, it creates a disparity between reality and the world we see on social media. The more social media interaction increases and human interaction decreases, the more likely an individual is to develop symptoms related to anxiety, stress, and depression. Many studies have found that high usage of social media can be linked to depressive symptoms and that depression is common among teens who often overindulge in social media.


  • Encourages social comparison and feelings of inadequacy


When people are constantly engaging in social media, they are bombarded with others’ life events. The life many put up on social media is not what it truly is and is an idolized version. Many social media users often tend to compare their lives to these glamorized versions of others' lives and develop strong feelings of inadequacy, which in turn makes them feel low.


  • Promotes addiction and compulsive behavior

Social media promotes addiction and compulsive behavior as people tend to feel a sense of reward when they receive notifications. The reward system in the brain is triggered by the release of dopamine, which encourages people to continue checking their phones for more notifications. This creates a cycle of compulsive behavior that can be difficult to break.

  • Decreases quality of sleep

When people use social media before bed, the blue light emitted from the screens can disrupt their circadian rhythms, making it difficult to fall asleep. People may also stay up late scrolling through social media, leading to a decreased amount of sleep overall. The combination of these factors can lead to lower-quality sleep and a negative impact on overall health and well-being.

  • This leads to feelings of isolation and loneliness

As users constantly see others engaging in activities and events that they may not be a part of, it can lead to feelings of isolation and loneliness.

  • This leads to feelings of jealousy

When people view others’ idealized, glamorized, and curated versions of their lives it is very common and easy to feel envious of a lifestyle that you could have but doesn’t due to a few reasons beyond your control.

  • Decreases face-to-face communication skills

Social media decreases face-to-face interaction as people spend more time on their phones and less time interacting with others in person.

  • Contributes to FOMO (fear of missing out)

Social media can create a sense of FOMO as users are constantly engaging with activities that they are not a part of and it is human nature to feel the need to be a part of social interactions of events one comes across.

  • Increases risk of cyberbullying

It is very common to fall victim to cyberbullying. People say things online that they would not say in person. People who are victims of bullying, both adults and teens, experience many negative mental health consequences like depression, anxiety, stress, and low self-esteem.

  • Contributes to body image issues

Recent research found that people who constantly engage in social media develop body image issues. This is especially common among young women who use filters to enhance their looks to either look like influencers on social media or fit the beauty standards set by social media and celebrities. This has been termed 'Snapchat Dysmorphia', and many women have gone as far as plastic surgeries to look like the "filter version" of themselves in real life.


As we navigate the complexities of online spaces, seeking therapy might make it easier on our minds. Therapists can offer insights into managing and understanding these feelings, providing tools to balance our online presence with our mental well-being.




55 views2 comments

2 Comments

Rated 0 out of 5 stars.
No ratings yet

Add a rating
goutamishastri2004
Jan 09, 2024
Rated 5 out of 5 stars.

An extremely relevant topic.

Like

Aastha
Aastha
Jan 08, 2024
Rated 5 out of 5 stars.

so overlooked section of mental health!

Like

Book an Appointment

Want to start your mental health journey? 
Talk to a therapist today.

bottom of page