It’s 2023 & social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, Twitter & Tik Tok are all the rage. Technology allows us to live in a world where we can connect socially with others without actually getting together in person. Engaging in social media produces dopamine in the brain, otherwise known as the “feel good” chemical. This rush of dopamine is what motivates us to continuously check our social media apps in the search to feel good.

• There are some benefits to social media use such as reconnecting with family & friends that live around the world. Finding new friends in your community & getting involved in social causes that need awareness. Connecting socially if you are housebound or live remotely without access to others. Lastly, it gives us the ability to seek emotional support from others, while providing this type of support in return. Therefore, social media is not all bad & can be used in moderation to enhance our lives.

Now that we understand how social media can be a helpful tool in our society, lets look at the downside. Heavy social media use has been linked to higher rates of depression, anxiety, suicidal thoughts, loneliness & feelings of isolation. How can something that we perceive as so good cause these mental health problems? Read on to find out why.

• People often feel inadequate after viewing social media posts. We inevitably compare our lives to others & tend to feel “less than.”  It’s important to remember that what is shared on social media is the highlight reel of someone’s life- it shows the best parts & usually ignores the difficult times. Pictures are manipulated with photo shop & portray unrealistic bodies, causing us to feel insecure about our appearance. Additionally, it may cause you to question why someone else’s life is perfect when you don’t feel that way about your own. Remember that what you are viewing on social media is a fake reality.

• Social Media causes FOMO (fear of missing out). FOMO is when we believe others are living a better, fun & more fulfilled life. It motivates us to log in to social media to bear witness to their lives, which ultimately results in feeling depressed about our own. FOMO can even cause social media addiction which urges us to compulsively check our apps to see the latest posts. We don’t want to miss anything!

• Social Media keeps us distracted. It consumes us on a level never seen before & prevents us from engaging in daily self-reflection. Next time you notice that you are scrolling aimlessly & feeling bored- put down the phone & spend some time alone with your thoughts. If you feel the need to connect with others, call someone on the phone & have a real time conversation.

• Social Media can create a fake world that is self-centered & narcissistic. People spend hours each day creating an endless stream of posts consisting of selfies & their innermost thoughts. It is creating an addiction towards receiving “likes” which then provides a dopamine rush as a reward. However, this dopamine burst is extremely brief & may lead to a never ending cycle of heavy social media use. If dopamine is what you are craving, it’s time to start exercising!

Human beings crave social interaction for mental health, so it’s no wonder why social media use has skyrocketed. However, it is more meaningful & beneficial to engage with others in person. This brings us to the next point. It’s fairly common for those feeling anxious in social situations, to scroll on social media in an attempt to falsely alleviate those anxious feelings. As a result, social media has become a security blanket! The next time you are feeling the urge to scroll Facebook while sitting in a restaurant waiting for a friend, challenge yourself to put down your phone. Instead, look around the room & identify where you are, what you see, what you smell & what you hear. Smile at the patrons next to you enjoying their meal. Revel in being present.

We’re here to help. Click here if you are seeking support in navigating your emotional wellbeing as it relates to social media and beyond!