Impact of Social Media on Mental Health

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Your road to Healthy Life

Did I get as many likes as others? Did my friends saw my selfie? What do they think? How many views I got? How many followers I have? These questions continuously pops up in minds of those who are constantly active on social media. Over the years social media has taken prime spot in our lives. While the social platforms have several positive and enjoyable benefits. It is also responsible for aggravating the problems related to mental health. Many spend hours on Instagram, Facebook, messenger, WhatsApp, Snapchat, texts etc. are responsible for both positive and negative impact on our lives. A recent study showed that females are much likely to experience mental health issues by using social media than males! According to Pew Research Center 69% adults and 81% teens are on social media in US alone.

“To boost self-esteem and feel a sense of belonging in their social circles, people post content with the hope of receiving positive feedback”

Mental Health is defined as a state of well-being in which people able to understand their abilities, problems, contribute to society, understand social responsibility. Mental health is crucial in all stages of our life, childhood to adolescence through adulthood. When a person has issues with mental health it affects the way how they think, their mood, behavior. Factors generally responsible for mental health condition are: Biological factors (genes and brain chemistry), Life experiences (abuse or trauma), Family history (mental health problems).

Social media’s negative influence mental health because of the combination of experiences, abuse, brain chemistry, family history combination that a person goes through.

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References: https://www.mentalhealth.gov/basics/what-is-mental-health

https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/social-media-and-mental-health

https://onlinedegrees.unr.edu/online-master-of-public-health/impact-of-social-media-on-youth-mental-health/

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