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What are the effects of social media use on the mental health of young people?

Introduction:
Young people are exposed to a variety of content, both positive and negative, that can
have a significant impact on their mental health because of the spread of digital technology
and social media platforms. Yet, it can also be a source of stress and sadness. Social media
has the potential to be a powerful tool for connection and communication. According to
research, young people who spend more time on social media are more likely to report
feeling lonely and unhappy. This research aims to investigate how young people's usage of
social media affects their mental health and to learn more about the potential risk factors for
social media-related mental health problems. Social media has the potential to foster a sense
of connection and provide support, but it can also lead to feelings of loneliness, despair, and a
need to compare oneself to others. To make suggestions for acceptable use, it is crucial to
understand the possible implications of social media use on young people's mental health.
(Mayo Clinic, 2022).

Many positive and bad effects of social media have been observed on young people's
mental health. Particularly, using social media can promote feelings of isolation, depression,
and anxiety while also giving one a platform for connection, communication, and self-
expression. The secret to developing a positive relationship with social media is to use it
carefully and to be aware of any negative consequences.

Background/Context:
Most teenagers now have access to a range of social networking platforms, reflecting
the tremendous increase in young people's use of social media over the previous ten years.
Young people are exposed to a variety of positive and negative content that can significantly
impact their mental health, from sharing opinions and hobbies to cyberbullying and body
shaming. While social media can foster a feeling of community by enabling young people to
interact with peers and share experiences, (Voelker, 2019) it can also lead to feelings of
loneliness, isolation, and depression due to comparison with others (Lopez, 2018). In
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addition, the constant need to check for notifications and the overstimulation of scrolling can
lead to increased levels of stress and anxiety (Lopez, 2018). With the rise of social media,
numerous concerns have been raised about the effect of such platforms on the mental health
of young people. For example, Australia's government is weighing new privacy rules for
social media data, including a potential ban on companies directing users under 18 to content
that could harm their mental health (Cherney, 2021).

 Most young people's lives now revolve around social media, which has both positive
and negative effects on mental health.

Social media has been shown to benefit and negatively impact young people's mental
health. Using social media can encourage depressive, anxious, and lonely sentiments while
simultaneously providing a forum for connection, communication, and self-expression. Using
social media responsibly and being aware of potential drawbacks is essential to establish a
good connection with it. The Mayo Clinic claims that "It's vital to remember that kids can
benefit from social media. Teenagers can learn how to have discussions, communicate with
others, and keep up with current events" (Mayo Clinic, 2022). According to these findings,
social media can give young people a platform for connection and conversation even though
it may harm their mental health. According to a study, social media can encourage
community by allowing young people to communicate with others and share experiences
(Voelker, 2019). Teens can share their thoughts and hobbies on it as well as use it as a
platform for self-expression (Mayo Clinic, 2022). Awareness of potential drawbacks is
critical, as social media may be an excellent tool for promoting connection, communication,
and self-expression.

 Social media has established itself into everyday life, and young people's mental
health may be significantly impacted by their usage of it.

Social media has become a part of everyday life, and young people's use may harm their
mental health. In a 2020 Guardian article, therapist Tamsin Bass noted that “in the 10 years
I’ve been practicing, I’ve seen an explosion in anxiety around how people use their phones
and social media” (Bass, 2022). Bass's comment demonstrates the significance of social
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media-related mental health issues, which is expanding. According to studies, using social
media too much might make you feel lonely, isolated, and depressed since you constantly
compare yourself to others (Lopez, 2018). Moreover, excessively scrolling and constantly
checking for messages can result in elevated tension and anxiety (Lopez, 2018). Hence, it is
essential for young people to use social media in moderation and to be conscious of any
potential harm it may cause to their mental health.

 With the rise of social media, numerous concerns have been raised about the effect of
such platforms on the mental health of young people.

As social media has grown in popularity, several questions about its impact on young
people's mental health have been raised. According to an article in The Wall Street Journal,
"Australia's government is weighing new privacy rules for social media data, including a
potential ban on companies directing users under 18 to content that could harm their mental
health" (Cherney, 2021). As a result of the impact that social media use has on young
people's mental health underlines the growing need for protective measures for them. Youth
social media use is associated with an increased risk of depression, anxiety, and loneliness,
according to numerous studies (Durkee et al., 2019). Social media may indeed have both
positive and harmful effects on young people's mental health, so it is essential to be aware of
these risks while still utilizing the great features of these platforms.

Conclusion:
Social media can benefit young people's mental health but can also be damaging if
used excessively. If we want to establish a great relationship with social media, we must use
it responsibly and be aware of any potential drawbacks. The keys to having a great
connection with social media are being aware of potential adverse effects, using it
responsibly, and seeking assistance when required. Young people can use social media's
benefits while minimizing its possible disadvantages by doing this.
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References

Mayo Clinic. (2022). Teens and social media use: What’s the impact?
https://librarysearch.conestogac.on.ca/permalink/01OCLS_CONEST/4ir229/
cdi_proquest_miscellaneous_2633783224

Voelker, D. (2019). The Impact of Social Media on Mental Health. Psychology Today.
https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-athletes-way/201903/the-impact-social-
media-mental-health

Lopez, T. (2018). The Impact of Social Media Use on Mental Health and Wellbeing.
Verywell Mind. https://www.verywellmind.com/how-does-social-media-use-affect-mental-
health-4157265

Cherney, A. (2021). Australia Weighs New Privacy Rules for Social Media Data. The Wall
Street Journal. https://www.wsj.com/articles/australia-weighs-new-privacy-rules-for-social-
media-data-11613991737

Durkee, T. et al. (2019). Social Networking Sites and Mental Health in Adolescents.
International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6694605/
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