Running Head: Social Media and Mental Health 1

Social Media and the Effects on Mental Health

Valerie Perez
Salt Lake Community College
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Social media and the effects on mental health

Social media is increasing in everyday use and need, it can be found at work and at home. The

increase is due to the many new developments in technology. Newer generations are growing up

with social media playing a big part in their development. Statistics show as of 2018 social

media users spent on average approximately 2 hours each day on social media platforms. The

amount of time continues to trend upwards. (Tankovska, 2021). As social media increases so

does mental health concerns, the question is are they connected? There are may mental illnesses

that are rising, some studies have shown there is an association to social media. Some of the

illnesses include anxiety, depression, eating disorder and narcissistic behavior. In this paper I

will discuss the different illnesses and how they correlate and are affected by social media, as

well as who it has afflicted in the epidemic of mental health.

Who it effects

Screen time is a common term in the 21st century, as children understand and can navigate

through technology better than other generations. “In a national survey, there was a dramatic

increase in young children’s use of mobile devices in just two years from 2011 to 2013. In this

survey, playing games was the most common activity they performed using mobile devices,

followed by using apps, watching videos, and watching TV/movies” (Santrock, 192). Younger

generations are growing up with technology and social media as their norm. Today

approximately 66% of the population worldwide reports using a mobile device (Srivastava,

2019). More than half the world is using technology and have access to social media. This trend

is not only increasing in children and adolescents, but in adults. Social media creates a need,

there is entertainment, ability to communicate, and even dating.

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Cyberbullying and depression

With new forms of communication came a new form of bullying and harassment, called

cyberbullying. This new form of bullying has been detrimental to mental and physical health of

both bullies and victims. “Another recent study revealed that cyberbullying contributed to

depression and suicidal ideation above and beyond the contribution of involvement in traditional

types of bullying” (Santrock, 244). Cyberbullying has been so detrimental due to three main

reasons; the first one is because it is hard to escape this bullying, you bring it home with you and

everywhere else, the second reason is due to the large audience that is watching and adding to the

humiliation, thirdly the content stays online permanently and can be a constant reminder of the

pain (Sirvastava et al., 2019). Social media has made it very easy to bully others, it is accessible,

little to no consequences, and bullies can hide behind a different face/profile. “A national survey

of U.S young adults, found that compared with individuals who use 0 to 2 social media

platforms, individuals who use 7 to 11 social media platforms have substantially higher odds of

getting increased levels of depression and anxiety symptoms” (Sirvastava et al., 2019).

Unfortunately, social media also creates a separation between peer, family, and friend

interactions and relationships. These physical relationships have been replaced by computer

screens (Srivastava et al., 2019). What victims of bullying need is support and communication

however, due to technology victims are isolated further. A common result of depression is

suicide. Statistics from the CDC show that suicide is the 8th leading cause of death in Utah for all

ages. It is the second leading cause of death in ages from 15 to 44 years of age. These results “on

average, one person dies by suicide every 14 hours in the state” (CDC, 2018). There is research

that indicates social media is a large contributor to depression, and suicide. It has tendencies to

isolate victims and give bullies a platform to victimize individuals with ease.
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Narcissistic behaviors

Narcissism is an obsessive interest in oneself and appearance, it has been associated with

selfishness, and entitlement. Narcissists lack interest for anyone besides themselves. These

behaviors and personality traits are more common as we have introduced social media. “A recent

meta-analysis concluded that a greater use of social networking sites was linked to a higher level

of narcissism” (Santrock, 276). Another study found “Narcissist also report more use of FB for

creating new acquaintances. A meta-analysis of 62 studies (2010-2016) revealed that trait

narcissism is positively associated with time spent on social media; number of friends and

followers; and frequency of posting status updates, tweets, pictures of the self, and selfies”

(Srivastava et al, 2019). Social media gives narcissist a platform for others to admire them as

much as they do themselves, promoting negative behavior. These users are supported and

encouraged as they continue to grow with likes and followers.

Addiction and Anxiety

Social media is addictive, the need to consistently be updating, checking, and following people

has become a routine. In the United States and other Western countries, the use of social media

has increased, about 89 to 96% of adolescents are using and participating in social media

(Fardouly et al., 2020). A new medical term was created due to the changes around technology

and social medial, called phantom vibration syndrome; it is the feeling of a phone vibration that

is not there (Srivastava et al., 2019). "We're seeing a lot of what looks like compulsive behavior,

obsessive behavior. People who are constantly picking up their phone look like they have an

obsession. They don't look much different from someone who's constantly washing their hands.

I'm not saying that it is an obsession, but I'm saying that it could turn into one, very easily” (as
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cited in Hun, 2013). There is an obsession that is growing that could be caused due to the anxiety

to be on social media incessantly. “A study in Britain showed 45% of adults felt worried or

anxious when they couldn’t access their emails or messages” (Srivastava et al., 2019). Whether

the obsession causes anxiety or vice versa, both are connected to the addiction of social media.

Eating and body disorders

Eating disorders have been a consistent issue majority amongst young women. Media has created

unattainable beauty standards, through social media there is a consistent expectation to look and

be a certain way. A study showed that females that used Facebook, reported to have more body

dissatisfaction than those who did not participate in Facebook (Fardouly et al., 2020). Additional

research has indicated, “users of YouTube. Instagram, and Snapchat reported more body image

concerns and eating pathology than non-users (Fardouly et al., 2020). There are additional

reports that share jealousy is a common emotion as users compare themselves to others on social

media. Most social media platforms give options to edit and use filters/enhancers for pictures,

which promotes unrealistic beauty. “Posting more pictures of yourself (e.g., selfies) on social

media and pending more time editing images and investing in your appearance has been

associated with greater body dissatisfaction and eating pathology among adolescent females and

adult males and females” (Fardouly et al., 2020). All this has made it harder for users,

specifically females to remain confident and secure of themselves. These body issues start at a

young age, as children move into adolescence and began to develop. This will carry into their

adulthood and potentially affect their own children. Consistently chasing to look and be

someone else, it will continue to increase insecurities, eating pathologies and body disorders. It

will all be taught through media and take form in real life mental illnesses.
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Conclusion

In conclusion social media is in everything and everywhere. The need will prevail; however, the

negative effects is what we risk. Mental health issues are a common concern for every age group,

there is no guideline of how and what to avoid. Our family members, friends, and peers may be

feeding their mental illness through what feels like innocent media participation. Illnesses that

have been associated to social media are, depression, narcissism, anxiety, eating disorders, and

more. There needs to be a stronger sense of awareness and a better resources and support for

those who do fall to mental illness.

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References

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Hun, Elise. “Phantom Phone Vibrations: So Common They've Changed Our Brains?” NPR, 27
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