National Stress Awareness Day 2024
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Social Media & The Effects On Mental Health
The rise of social media has meant that we as a global population are more connected than we have ever been before, and yet 40% of 16-24 year olds have reported that they regularly feel lonely and depressed.We rely heavily on social media on every aspect of our daily lives and this can have a negati...
The rise of social media has meant that we as a global population are more connected than we have ever been before, and yet 40% of 16-24 year olds have reported that they regularly feel lonely and depressed.
We rely heavily on social media on every aspect of our daily lives and this can have a negative impact on our mental health, with some studies stating that the average person in the UK checks their phones as much as 28 times a day.
Social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and even LinkedIn do have their benefits: The ability to reach millions of people everyday, quick sharing of news and being aware of everything e.g. Malala became more recognised due to social media.
However, over use of them can make someone feel unhappy and in some cases isolated over a long period of time.
Focusing on likes: The need to gain “likes” on social media can cause teens to make choices they would otherwise not make, including altering their appearance, engaging in negative behaviours and in some cases engaging in “Social Games” e.g. Momo and Blue Whale Challenges.
Cyberbullying: Is associated with depression and anxiety and through social media this is elevated.
Schools in England are the “worst for cyber bullying” - according to an educational report, as a result of this schools in the UK are being urged to put more resources into this issue and to make this a top priority.
Making comparisons: Though many teens know that their peers share only a snippet of their lives on social media, it’s very difficult to avoid making comparisons. Everything from physical appearance to life circumstances are under a microscope on social media.
Less physical interaction: Social interaction skills require daily practice, even for teens.
It’s difficult to build empathy and compassion, when teens spend more time “engaging” online than they do in person.
We at The AIM Group feel that the key to helping young people learn to balance social media with real life starts in schools, as the social and emotional development of children is usually developed at school.
As children and young people progress through school, their development with regards to social and emotional is matured through different methods like gaining more knowledge, understanding and acquiring different skills.
https://mashable.com/article/loneliness-young-people-survey/?europe=true
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