"The Digital Dilemma: Navigating the Impact of Social Media on Mental Health"

There are so many facets to social media, that most people can see why it has
become the entertainment outlet, the main way for some to communicate. Social media
has undoubtedly changed the way we communicate and interact with each other. It has
brought people closer and helped them connect in ways that were never before possible.
It is now becoming one of the largest means of communication and rapidly gaining
popularity. Social media enables you to share ideas, content, information, news, etc.,
faster. In an era dominated by scrolling feeds and constant notifications, the question
arises: are social media platforms enhancing our lives or silently influencing our mental
well-being? Social media is a revolutionary online platform that has dramatically
changed people's perspectives on the world and developed to be a crucial part of our
society's culture. Social media is becoming a vital medium for daily social contact as a
result of the development and growth of technology. The significance of social media in
our world can be realized by the fact that nearly 2.65 billion people on the internet use
this platform and this number is estimated to grow in upcoming years. Although some
people say that social media has brought a lot of benefits to our society such as self-
confidence, however, we believe that social media has a considerable amount of negative
impact on our mental health either adults or youth because it can encounter cyberbullying,
contributing to lower self-esteem and feelings of inadequacy and last but not least it can
also feed people into excessive reassurance-seeking behaviors and unhealthy attempts at
getting validation.

In the first place, many thought these social media platforms could serve as
valuable outlets for self-expression. Through creative endeavors, individuals can share
their talents, passions, and perspectives with a global audience. This process not only
boosts self-esteem but also encourages a sense of accomplishment and validation. Social
media's role in providing a platform for diverse voices and expressions challenges the
narrative that it is solely a source of negativity. Even so, not everything shared on social
media will be liked and appreciated. A few individuals encountered cyberbullying through
their posts. Social media platforms such as TikTok, Instagram, and Twitter can be hotspots
for spreading hurtful rumors, lies, and abuse that can leave lasting emotional scars.
Cyberbullying victims typically have psychological, emotional, physical, and mental
health issues. Cyberbullying may have equally harmful psychological and physical
implications. Cyberbullying victims may feel a variety of unfavorable feelings, including
fear, shame, anger, and depression. they could experience loneliness and isolation.
Moreover, Cyberbullying victims could also find it difficult to build relationships with
other people. They might not want to interact socially and feel afraid to trust anyone.
Teenagers are increasingly experiencing cyberbullying. According to the previously
stated Pew Research Centre research, 59% of students in 2015 reported having
experienced cyberbullying, up from 41% in 2012. Furthermore, 68% of children who
have experienced online harassment have mental health concerns, and almost 34% of all
children in the US have experienced cyberbullying at least once. This might be a
consequence of the growing number of teens using cell phones and the increasing
popularity of social media platforms among this age group. Consequently, even if we see
a lot of nice and encouraging posts on social media, not everyone is enjoying the
opportunity to develop their self-confidence by expressing their happiness.

Furthermore, in today's digitally-driven world, social media has become an

intrinsic part of our everyday lives and serves as a powerful tool for fostering connections
and support systems. Platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram provide individuals
with the opportunity to connect with friends and family, allowing us to share our
experiences, and consume a vast array of content. For many, these online connections act
as a crucial support network, offering understanding and empathy in times of need. The
ability to share experiences and challenges openly on social media can contribute to a
sense of belonging and alleviate feelings of isolation. Additionally, all of the sites scored
positively for community building, emotional support, self-expression, and self-identity.
For example, YouTube received outstanding ratings for decreasing respondents' levels of
anxiety, despair, and loneliness as well as for bringing awareness of other people's health
issues and providing access to trustworthy health information. However, the curated
nature of social media content often leads to unrealistic comparisons, contributing to
lower self-esteem and feelings of inadequacy. Constant exposure to idealized images and
lifestyles can create a distorted perception of reality, fostering a culture of perfectionism.
A crucial connection between happiness and online presence is revealed by the 2014
Anxiety UK research, which focuses on social media self-esteem data with 45% of non-
social-media users reporting higher levels of contentment compared to their social-
networking counterparts, this data point triggers a thought-provoking analysis of the
impact these platforms have on an individual's self-worth. Apart from that, Researchers
Alfonso Pellegrino of Chulalongkorn University and Alessandro Stasi and Veera
Bhatiasev of Mahidol University in Thailand further clarify in their 2022 review article
published in Frontiers in Psychiatry that this dynamic may induce feelings of inferiority
and inadequacy that erode one's sense of self-worth and confidence. While social media
can sometimes be a self-esteem booster, it can also cause you to experience feelings of
inadequacy about your life and your appearance. Even if you know that the images you
see online are manipulated or represent someone else's highlight reel, they can still cause
feelings of insecurity, envy, and dissatisfaction.

The argument against social media's negative impact on mental health contends
that blaming these platforms oversimplifies a complex interplay of factors. Mental health
is influenced by various elements, including genetics, personal circumstances, and
societal pressures. Instead of solely attributing mental health issues to social media use,
it is imperative to consider the broader context. Responsible usage, digital literacy, and
fostering positive online behaviors are key components that can empower individuals to
navigate the digital landscape in a manner that enhances, rather than hinders, their mental
well-being. Nevertheless, it can also feed into excessive reassurance-seeking behaviors
and unhealthy attempts at getting validation from others. In other words, people often use
the opinions of others to feel good and comfortable about themselves. This is because of
the negative mentality behavior that is called Fear of Missing Out (FoMO). FoMO on
social media refers to the apprehension that online content and interactions from others
are unseen and reacted to in a timely fashion. FoMO can become problematic, leading to
anxiety, interrupted sleep, lack of concentration, and dependence on social media to
generate gratification. According to the World Journal of Clinical Cases the term "fear of
missing out" gained traction in 2004. This was the year Facebook launched, one of the
first large online spaces where people were able to publicly display their friendships and
what they were doing through status updates and photos. In contrast, FOMO triggers a
"fight or flight" reaction in the brain, which has an effect similar to other anxiety
disorders, according to Dr. Dattilo who is the founder of Priority Wellness Group and an
instructor of psychology at Harvard. The brain sets us on high alert when it detects a
threat, in this case, a social one. An inflamed nervous system makes us feel uncomfortable
and motivates us to seek relief.
In conclusion, social media has both positive and negative impacts on our mental
health. Although some people say that social media has brought a lot of benefits to our
society, we have proved that social media has a considerable amount of negative impact
on our mental health whether adult or youth. We believe that social media outlets give
people the power to share and make the world more open and connected while making
people out of tune with their surroundings. People may have different preferences for
either side of the argument, but what matters is how one provides real and trustworthy
facts to support their claims. The rise of social media has brought endless opportunities
and has opened doors to new developments in the world but at the cost of human mental
health. As we wrap up, social media is not necessarily an enemy. Therefore, limiting
screen time and the use of social media can increase our mental health and direct us away
from loneliness, the urge to appear "perfect", and cyberbullying. Instead of spending up
to 15 hours a week on social media, let's direct our attention away from social media and
to healthy lifestyles that will benefit us today, and the generations to come.