Social Media and Mental Health
Likes, clicks, Instagram, comments, Facebook, TikTok — social media is everywhere. And so is the temptation to compare yourself to the carefully curated images you see online. That can be bad for your mental health.
Using social media activates the brain’s reward center, McLean Hospital said. In response to using social media networks, your brain releases dopamine, a feel-good chemical linked to pleasurable activities such as sex, food and social interaction. According to Pew Research Center, 69% of adults and 81% of teens in the U.S. use social media.
“Think of the slot machine: If game players knew they never were going to get money by playing the game, they would never play. The idea of a potential future reward keeps the machines in use,” psychologist Jacqueline Sperling said. “The same goes for social media sites. One does not know how many likes a picture will get, who will like the picture and when the picture will receive likes. The unknown outcome and the possibility of a desired outcome can keep users engaged with the sites.”
Fear of missing out also comes into play. When everyone else is using social media, not using it leads to a fear that you’ll miss out on jokes, interactions and experiences. That creates anxiety and depression and can even affect your physical health.
A 2018 British study tied social media use to decreased, disrupted and delayed sleep.
Penn Medicine says to be on the lookout for these warning signs of unhealthy social media behaviors:
• Feeling increased anxiety, depression or loneliness.
• Spending more time on social media than with friends and family.
• Comparing yourself with others or frequently feeling jealous.
• Being trolled or cyberbullied online.
• Engaging in risky behaviors or outrageous photos to gain likes and comments.
• Noticing that your school and work relationships are suffering.
• De-prioritizing self-care. If social media is becoming a problem in your life, try setting it aside. Distract yourself by planning a (face-to-face!) gathering, getting out and exercising, finding a place to volunteer or otherwise getting away from the screen. Be open to talking to your health-care provider about your feelings. They can screen you for depression and anxiety and recommend a treatment that’s right for you.