Does Social Media Take a Toll on Your Mental Health?

I’ve always been a frequent user of social media. Whether it be Instagram, Tiktok, Snapchat, or whatever everyone’s using, I’ve always been along for the ride. In fact, all of my business endeavors revolve around social media. I co-own Instagram pages such as @Eng.Technology and @DunksX. The point is, I’m always on my phone. Throughout my time on social platforms,  I’ve experienced the good, the bad, and the really bad. I’ve heard a lot of discussion about social media in mental health, so I decided to weigh in on some of the rumors.

Rumor #1: It hurts your self-confidence.

This might just be me, but I’ve never really felt that social media affects my self-love. At least, not in the sense that people talk about. There’s been speculation about how viewing other people on media can hurt your feelings, but I haven’t felt that. It may be partly because I tend to stay off my “personal” page (where I follow people from my school, area, etc.), but seeing other people happy isn’t something that bothers me. I know that everyone puts their photos through multiple editors and filters before they post, so it’s important to remember that everyone secretly feels the anxiety that you think is specific to yourself. 

Rumor #2: It causes anxiety.

Unfortunately, I agree. The hardest part about posting is getting over the anxiety that comes with it. Contemplating whether your photo will be laughed at or loved is the scariest part of using social media. While it’s almost always met with a positive response, putting up a picture takes a lot of courage. For me personally, I worry about my pictures not getting enough likes.

While it’s technically all about “perception,” social media-related anxiety is a rising problem. As we promote our “best” selves on the internet, it leads to a higher standard for post-worthy images. In short, It’s the mental equivalent of performing a brand-new standup routine to an audience of random people. The possibility of your photo being perceived poorly is one that haunts the subconscious as you debate whether or not to post. While it may seem trivial, this mentality affects a lot of people. 

Rumor #3: It causes depression.

There is a multitude of ways that social media can lead to depression, but it’s dependent on how much you let it take over your life. I don’t experience the direct link between social media and depression, but I understand that it’s a real issue. Since I’m not someone affected by it, I can’t speak on the severity, but I do acknowledge its existence.

Rumor #4: It is a waste of time.

For the majority of users, social media doesn’t hold much economic value. However, extensive media platforms can lead to business opportunities. For example, my pages feature monetization, allowing me to make a profit. While social media is typically a time-waster, it’s important not to discourage people from looking for something more substantial. Building a social media niche page can give you a platform for any economic venture you choose to pursue. 

I can’t speak for everyone. The effect of social media on mental health varies by the individual. This piece is simply my perspective of what I’ve learned during my four years on social media. It’s important to respect everyone’s struggle, regardless of whether you agree with it or not.