A byproduct of technological development
Social media has become a part of everyone’s lives due to technological advancement in recent years. Various platforms have emerged, including TikTok, Instagram, YouTube, Facebook, etc. They offer individuals a place to express themselves and connect with friends globally. However, there is a cost to this convenience. The emergence of social networks has caused an increase in mental health problems such as depression, anxiety,y, and low self-esteem, especially for youngsters because they are the main demographic of social media users. The problem is the result of cyberbullying, constant comparison, and the chase for online attention. The article will explain further this concern. (Sperling, 2024)
Bullying through the screen
Source: https://blog.securly.com/the-10-types-of-cyberbullying/
Cyberbullying is the aggression, humiliation, or any form of harassment conducted on virtual sites. This type of bullying can occur across communities worldwide as it can reach a wider audience through an interconnected digital network. Adolescents developing physically and mentally often are the target of abuse, as they constantly seek validation on social media. The face can explain that they are through the phase of finding their identity, and social media provides the convenience to do so. Victims of online abuse tend to feel isolated and lonely, resulting in severe depression and can trigger mental disorders if the harassment is prolonged. Since the victims tend to feel powerless and frequently in emotional distress, their relatives should reach out for help from other professional therapists to prevent harmful consequences. (StopBullying, 2021)
Social comparison in digital spaces
Social media can create an environment that fosters positive and meaningful relationships, due to the diverse culture and people one can connect to. However, challenges appear in tandem. The lavish lifestyle of influencers, rich friends, and successful entrepreneurs often attracts adolescents. If these teenagers read, search, or stay at these posts longer than others, the social media algorithm then keeps suggesting similar content on newsfeeds. This eventually raises the expectations of a good quality of life for youngsters, making them constantly feel insufficient and unhappy with what they already have, as they are hooked to the exaggerated lifestyle on the internet. This upward social comparison will lead to a decrease in self-esteem and confidence because they will not focus on their actual needs. (Psychology Today, n.d.)
The temptation of validation and attention
Source: https://www.intechnic.com/blog/best-ways-to-generate-and-hold-user-attention-online/
Another critical issue in the age of digitalization is online validation and attention. One of the reasons why so many people are addicted to social media is because every post gives users the opportunity to receive comments, likes, and shares from others. The downside is that everyone can observe other people’s remarks and the number of reactions to other posts. This creates peer pressure for users, as they will consider it as a metric for measuring self-worth. Over time, adolescents will become dependent on these external validations rather than developing internal affirmations. This leads to mood swings and potentially depressive symptoms when lacking the validation they crave. (Ramani, 2023)
A concerning future
Social media does make a huge difference in everyone’s lives, bringing global citizens closer together, as people can now talk to each other with a click of a button in their rooms. Yet, convenience has its price, and now most people over-rely on it to live, forgetting real-life meaningful conversation is what strengthens true bonds. The existence of these digital landscapes has paved the way for bullying and abuse, bringing about an increased rate of stress and anxiety among teenagers. It is crucial that parents and teachers should step in and monitor the internet access of their children and students, and encourage more real-life interactions, which is better for a child’s mental health.
References
Psychology Today (n.d.). Social Comparison Theory. [online] Psychology Today. Available at: https://www.psychologytoday.com/intl/basics/social-comparison-theory [Accessed 15 May 2024].
Ramani, R. (2023). Why Do We Seek Validation on Social Media and How to Stop? [online] Medium. Available at: https://medium.com/@riyaramani/why-do-we-seek-validation-on-social-media-and-how-to-stop-9bbff1ca6c0e [Accessed 15 May 2024].
Sperling, J. (2024). The Social Dilemma: Social Media and Your Mental Health. [online] McLean Hospital. Available at: https://www.mcleanhospital.org/essential/it-or-not-social-medias-affecting-your-mental-health [Accessed 11 May 2024].
StopBullying (2021). What Is Cyberbullying. [online] stopbullying.gov. Available at: https://www.stopbullying.gov/cyberbullying/what-is-it [Accessed 11 May 2024].