Growing up with social media

‘Let me tag you in this picture, this girl is seriously goals, I want her life’ … sound familiar? Most young people go through this thought process on a near daily basis, so how damaging can this be to our mental health?

Over the last few years’ social media has completely changed the way we go about our daily lives, making it a lot simpler for us to communicate, express ourselves and access a range of information. However is this change all positive or can it be harmful to our mental health?

The answer to this question has actually proven to be quite complex. While some studies have shown that an increased use of social media can lead to a deterioration of mental health, other studies have concluded that there is no such link.

Often times we may find ourselves comparing our achievements, as well as our physical, emotional and social characteristics to those of others as presented on social media. This constant negative self-appraisal may leave us with a diminished self-esteem, feeling jealous and with the belief that others are happier and that life is ‘just not fair’.It seems that while most of us can acknowledge that we are likely to portray a version of ourselves online that we consider most appealing, it is often difficult to accept that others are doing the same. Too often we tend to forget that it is the highlights that others choose to portray rather than a true representation of their reality.

It’s not all negative though; using social networks to communicate with friends and family and thereafter improving or maintaining these relationships has actually proven beneficial to mental health. By connecting with others we are likely to strengthen our social support network and avoid feelings of isolation. It is when social media use becomes excessive; resulting in a decline of communication and social engagement with friends and family in the ‘real world’, that increased feelings of depression and loneliness may arise.

While research remains mixed, it seems apparent to me that it is our perception of social media that holds the greatest impact on our mental health. By keeping in mind that social media does not always accurately reflect reality, we may be able to avoid feelings of jealousy, hopelessness and insecurity. And as is true with most things in life, moderation is key and it is important that we do not let the usage of social media get in the way of our current relationships, jobs or daily commitments.

The internet has opened up many doors for todays generation, giving us a much greater scope for connecting with others, accessing all sorts of information, learning new skills and entrepreneurship, however in order to use it to our advantage we must be able to use it wisely.