If you open up Google and type in the search bar “social media causes,” a list of horrific terms appear underneath. Social media causes anxiety and depression, social media causes low self-esteem, social media causes eating disorders, social media causes loneliness, and the list goes on. Not one of these search options are positive, and it’s an ongoing list of negative effects that social media inflicts.
It is apparent that social media has caused exponential damage to our society. Everyday, people are buried in their phones, scrolling through their feed, watching videos, texting their friends — all while they are missing what is directly in front of them. A Common Sense survey discovered that in 2012, most teenagers preferred face-to-face interactions as their favorite form of communication. Roughly six years after that, less than a third of the participants prefer in-person communication. They claim their favorite form of communication is texting because it is easier and simpler to have virtual relationships.
Research has also shown that social media has a detrimental effect on mental health. A study conducted through JAMA Psychiatry demonstrated that “adolescents who spend more than 3 hours per day on social media may be at heightened risk for mental health problems, particularly internalizing problems.” Psychologist Jacqueline Sperling explained that people are constantly comparing themselves to others which creates unhealthy habits. Anxiety, depression, and other mental health issues are increasing constantly with the use of social media and will not be depleting anytime soon.
These are just a few of the negative things that social media causes. That’s why there is so much good that comes from a social media cleanse. Start off by deleting your apps for a few days and allow yourself to see the wasted time that is spent using them. When you aren’t spending 2+ hours every day on social media it allows you to live presently in the moment. Go on a hike, paint, read a new book, and most importantly, preserve and tend to the relationships in your life.
Watch these!
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The Social Dilemma on Netflix
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60 Minutes: What is “Brain Hacking”?