Editorial

In the history of the time we have never been more globally connected then we are now. This is all thanks to the Internet and of course, social media. However, heavy use of Instagram, Facebook and other platforms are creating problems for people. This week we take a deeper look at the darker side of using social media and the effect it has on our mental well-being.

Social media platforms have plenty of benefits but using them too much can make us feel unhappy and even isolated. When it comes to dealing with insecurities, yes we all have them, aesthetically perfect Instagram photos can contribute to a lot of stress as we compare ourselves to what we see being posted. A study conducted in Denmark showed that people suffer from “Facebook envy” and that staying off the site left people feeling more satisfied with their lives as they were not sitting around comparing themselves to others’ posts all day.

Another sad reality of spending too much time staring at our phones and scrolling through social media is that we lose connection with the people who are actually physically around us. It’s impossible to connect to someone when you’re glued to your phone and this sight is becoming so common when people are out dining or sitting around a table together.

We have all heard this one before but it must be understood that using our phones before bed will affect how we fall asleep. The light from our mobile devices can suppress the release of melatonin, the hormone that makes us feel tired. Also, if you’re busy stalking someone bringing on feelings of anxiety and stress before trying to fall asleep, the chances are that you are going to struggle to get to sleep. Read on to ind out more reasons to lay off social media.