Social Media and Mental Health: Finding The Right Balance

Scrolling through social media day in and day out is destroying our mental health and we know it. 40% of all Teenagers worry about their body image because of pictures they’ve seen on social media. Countless studies are reporting a negative correlation between social media and mental health.

Anxiety, depression, and body image issues are more rampant in teenagers of today than they ever were in any other age group of any other generation. The question arises — Is it worth it to give social media up for good, or is there a way to find a sweet balance?

Let’s unpack that question.

Many new developments have been introduced into our lives ever since we entered the digital age. Every single one of those developments has pros and cons and we, as a generation, have been able to adapt.

Social media and mental health-related issues are not prone to adaptability. We just need to zero in on the exact problem and propose practical step-by-step solutions.

Social Media & Mental Health: What’s The Issue?

Undeniably, Social Media does have its perks that are indispensable. You get to:

• Connect with friends and family at the click of a button.
• Build or become a part of a community of like-minded people.
• Make your voice heard and participate in activism.
• Find an outlet to express your creativity and connect with other artists
• Learn and experience growth within yourself and with others.

Undeniably, there are also some detrimental cons require mitigation, like:

• Feelings of inadequacy about your life:

About 76% of girls and 56% of boys aged 13–16 say that seeing attractive pictures of others on social media makes them feel insecure about their own looks. (Zipdo)

• Increased Depression and anxiety symptoms:

Studies showed that spending a lot of time on social media is tied to feeling down, anxiety, disrupted sleep, low self-esteem, and body-image issues.

• Fear of Missing Out (FOMO):

The feeling that you’re missing out on things you could never attain in your current situation. Since others “have it all”, you must also have it all, which results in you exhibiting compulsive behavior.

Let’s Get into the Psychology of It.

All of the negative connections between social media and mental health listed above can be explained through a single psychological phenomenon.

Carl Rogers was an American psychologist who introduced the idea of “Self-concept” into his theory of personality.

According to this theory, There’s a version of the self called “the real self”. The real self is basically the person that you think you are. We also have another version of the self called “The ideal self”. The ideal self is the person you think you should be.

If the person you think you are is very different from the person you think you should be, that’s a recipe for disaster. It creates a destructive imbalance in your personality.

Social Media’s Role in Creating a Distorted Ideal Self

Exposure to social media leads you to craft an “Ideal self” that’s far removed from your real self, Resulting in feelings of constant inadequacy and compulsive behavior. What’s more, is that it becomes a vision cycle.

You create an unattainable ideal self, and then you fall into destructive patterns to try to attain that ideal self.

By the time you finally meet the standards of your ideal self, you’ve already crafted another ideal image of even higher standards. It’s because Social Media gives you unrestricted access to everyone’s life, so there will always be someone better out there.

So, How to Find a Balance between Social Media and Mental Health?

Finding a balance between social media and mental health is all about finding the balance between your ideal self and your real self.

Creating a Social Safety Net

Creating a healthy social safety net is absolutely paramount. It’s important to keep friends around you that help you keep your ideals in check.

Find support from family members and friends to help you set attainable standards for yourself based on what’s practically possible. when you have the right standards, and only then can you set the right goals for yourself.

Step-by-Step Guide to Cultivate a Healthy Community

• Connect with Like-Minded Souls:

Seek out those who resonate with your values and dreams, whether online or offline.

• Embrace Honest Conversations:

Foster open, authentic dialogue within your community, where vulnerability is met with empathy and understanding.

• Celebrate Diversity:

Embrace the richness of experiences and perspectives within your community, honoring each individual’s unique journey.

• Extend a Helping Hand:

Offer support and encouragement to your fellow community members, creating a culture of kindness and reciprocity.

• Lead with Heart:

Be a beacon of empathy and authenticity, inspiring others to embrace their true selves and uplift those around them.

By nurturing a supportive community grounded in authenticity, compassion, and practicality, we can find the right balance between social media and mental health. We can all forge a path to mental well-being — one marked by growth, resilience, and unwavering support. By working together, we can find the strength, and courage to thrive in the complexities of the digital age.