The negative impacts on mental health is increasing along with the rising use of social media. Social media can make people feel sad, anxious, and like they’re missing out on things. It can be toxic.
The barrage of incorrect and emotionally destructive statements surrounding a baseless rumour surrounding a Chicago Blackhawks player is but an example of the toxicity.
People are also constantly comparing themselves to others and trying to change themselves to fit in.
Studies have shown that the more time one spends on social media, the worse their mental health becomes.
According to a study by the National Library of Medicine, while social media activity has positive effects on users, such as self-expression and community-building, it also has negative outcomes.
These effects include heightened anxiety and depression, sleep disturbances, exposure to bullying, and concerns about body image and FOMO (fear of missing out).
These strong feelings can disturb sleep, which is essential for the body to rest and recover. It’s important to be aware of how social media affects feelings and sleep and try to find a balance that helps people get the rest their bodies needs.
Moreover, this study highlights the negative impact on sleep patterns, with nighttime social media usage linked to delayed sleep and poor sleep quality.
While social media can be used to connect people wherever they may be, it can also make it harder to escape hate and bullying.
A recent case was from India where a 16-year-old queer makeup artist killed himself after not being able to bear hateful comments on his Instagram.
Priyanshu Yadav, known as Pranshu, used to post makeup tutorials on his Instagram and uploaded a reel on Diwali which got tons of hateful comments.
After not being able to tolerate such hateful comments, Pranshu hanged himself on Nov. 21, last month.
According to The Times Of India, the police have seized his phone to investigate further.
Even after his death, many people are posting hateful comments on his recently uploaded reel.
Social media such as Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook should be able to moderate such negative comments. This can help in reducing these cases and prevent mental health issues.
Social media should be able to create a safe space rather than a space that takes away a person’s safety.