Social Media and Mental Health: Reflection

Technology has proven to be a very useful device throughout the last decade. However,
there must be moderation in everything before it becomes too much. This is true with social
media and internet browsers.
Through my research I have learned that there has been a steady rise in the reported cases
of depression and anxiety as well as the rise with social media consumption. While there are
other factors that contribute to this new development that may have nothing to do with social
media, there are certainly negative subliminal messages that come with social media intake. For
example, I may get on Instagram or Facebook for what I think is a few minutes when in reality, I
look at the clock and realize it’s been hours since I took a break. Hours of content that may have
induced negative feelings toward other people and the lives they depict on the internet, and
feelings of shame and guilt due to comparison.
Social media had become a sort of “highlight reel,” where people show only the best
parts of their lives. How many times to we get on social media and see pictures from some
extravagant trip that a friend took? We see this content and wish that could be us, sometimes
without our knowledge. When we make these sorts of observations about other people and the
shame that we ourselves are not living their seemingly perfect life, we oftentimes ask ourselves,
“What am I doing wrong? Why can’t I have that kind of life?” These questions pile up and take
up space in our heads until it leads to an outward spiral that could include low self-esteem.
Another aspect I considered in my research was the growing market for online
influencers. I learned that companies spend thousands if not millions of dollars on advertising.
The way businesses advertise has changed from TV commercials to the use of online social
media influencers. Businesses have found that they have a higher profit when they hire
influencers rather than spending more for TV ads. This makes sense as the world enters a phase
where they are leaning away from TV shows that broadcast once every week and leaning
towards putting money into streaming services such as Netflix and Hulu. People no longer have
to wait for things to come out and are used to instant satisfaction. Combine this instant
gratification with social media which is always available at the touch of a finger and it creates
the “technology boom.”
Since the increase in using influencers for advertisements, they take on a lifestyle that is
appealing to those consuming their content. For example, say a young influencer on Instagram is
hired by a swimsuit company. They send this influencer to the Bahamas for a photoshoot and to
take pictures wearing their merchandise. The influencer’s job is to post on their page in order for
this company’s brand to be exposed to the mass media. Now imagine a young girl sitting at home
see this image. She notices not only the cute swimsuit that she now wants, but also notices that
beautiful scene in the picture. She automatically wishes this could be her. She wishes she could
have enough money, the same life, or even the same body as this influencer. This is very
dangerous because it no longer becomes about advertising a swimsuit but advertising a lifestyle
that many feels is unattainable. This causes feelings of depression, inadequacy, and even anxiety.
 This idea of comparison has greatly influenced young people’s choices as this lifestyle is
glorified. Many are steering away from obtaining college degrees and choosing a career in social
media. The change is different from anything society has ever seen before and will be interesting
to see what this means for media in the future.