Breaking the Chain of Social Media: Unveiling the Hidden Dangers on Our Mental Health

Wesam Suliman

Currently a student on the Doctor of Education programme-BUiD

 

 

Recently, social media has become an essential component of modern life, profoundly shaping our daily routines as well as influencing how we communicate together and consume information. However, alongside the numerous advantages it brings, social media has also presented notable challenges, especially when it comes to our mental health

Multiple studies and research conducted in different countries such as the United Kingdom, Canada and the United States have created a strong correlation between the extensive usage of social media platforms and high levels of depression, anxiety and loneliness.

 

Some of the time, social media presents unrealistic and perfect images of individual’s lives, relationships and bodies, leading others to feel insecure and inadequate. People feel obliged to present themselves as perfect on social media platforms, and this pressure can be exhausting and induce anxiety and self-doubt. The impact of social media goes beyond individual users, because the platforms themselves have a significant role in contributing to wider social issues. Social media companies use algorithms that are specifically designed to increase the user’s engagement, resulting in the presentation of sensational and upsetting content. Consequently, the relation between social media, the dissemination of misinformation, and the polarisation of viewpoints and potential becomes obvious.

 

We need to be aware about the influence of social media on our psychological well-being by developing a conscious perception of the duration of our social media engagements and the content we consume. We can adopt certain steps to reduce our dependence on social media, such as taking regular breaks from these platforms or even disabling notifications. However, this is not just an individual problem. We also need to hold social media companies accountable for the impact of their platforms on our mental health and society as a whole. This means advocating for better regulation of these platforms, as well as supporting alternatives that prioritise our well-being over engagement metrics. The responsibility for solving the repercussions of social media extends beyond individuals and requires the enforcement of accountability upon social media companies for the implications their platforms have on mental health and social dynamic.

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