Message from social media

Do social media’s enormous benefits and pleasures compensate for the harm it does to individuals and relationships?

The benefits of social media are well-studied and real. They range from encouraging artistic expression, to the instant fact-checking of politicians and encouragement of democracy. In addition, social media allows easy access to the world’s best authorities on everything from medicine to rock climbing, the opportunity for friends and families to stay in touch more easily, for older folks or those who are more socially isolated to reconnect with friends or join support groups, and for people from around to globe to feel part of a community.

But research keeps pointing out how harmful getting immersed in social media can become. The American Academy of Pediatrics warns parents to be aware of the potential damage social media can do to their child’s mental health because of cyberbullying and what they call “Facebook depression.”

Additional research shows that girls age 10 who are active on social media are far more unhappy when they are adolescents than those who were not on social media at so early an age. Another study found that 11- to 17-year-olds find the pressure to be online 24/7 destroys their sleep and can cause anxiety and depression. There’s even research published in JAMA that indicates that for people who have no symptoms of ADHD, heavy use of social media may trigger the condition!

When you ask teens about the impact of social media on their lives, 24 percent say it’s mostly negative, 45 percent say it makes no difference, while only 31 percent say it’s positive. And mature adults don’t escape potential harm — especially if they’re already having mental health issues, are worried about their work or social status or become addicted to building networks.

The solution? Stay connected, but not obsessed.