We live in an era of digital technology where social media is the new town square, the new water cooler conversation point. We all fall unto various platforms; be it Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn, Snapchat, or good ol' Facebook. It's like being trapped in a world full of these digital intoxicants. Someone once told me that social media in the digital age is like being absorbed in a "Best of" photo album, where everyone presents their best, happiest and most enviable parts of their life. Intriguing thought, isn't it?
If you think, as a society, we have never been more connected and yet, simultaneously we have never been more apart. This paradoxical situation forms the basis of our modern way of existing. I often sit in my eccentric house in Melbourne, Australia, with my spirited Golden Retriever, Max, and sly tabby cat, Pearl, reflecting on this irony. Remember folks, it's always the simplest of matters that bring about the most profound thoughts!
On one hand, social media has its undeniable perks. Not to mention, having a laugh with funny memes, and believe me, we all need more of those in our life or staying updated with various news and trends. Heck, I once found my favourite sandwich shop in Melbourne through Instagram. Social media provides us an instant global connectivity which allows us to communicate and collaborate like never before. Be it a wide platform for expressing views or a safe space to come out, social media can indeed be empowering.
But don't jump the gun, my dear reader. Like most things in life, there's a flip side to this coin too. Adela, my ever-observant wife, once noted how I tended to be more agitated after a long day of mindless scrolling. Her rationale? The overwhelming amount of information and a constant pressure to be 'present' online can be stress-inducing. And trust me, she was onto something!
Now, let's tread to the darker corners of the candy-crush land where it's not all likes and shares. Mental health professionals have shown concern over some potentially harmful effects of excessive social media use. Feeling anxious, depressed, lonely, and even jealous are a few red flags that could show up. The repercussions could be from the pressure of maintaining an online presence, fear of missing out (FOMO), or even the constant comparison with others.
Oh boy! The comparison game is a nasty one! I recall this one time when I was scrolling through my feeds and stumbled upon vacation photos of a former colleague who I had not met in ages. Suddenly, my Thursday night surrounded by my quirky pets and quirky wife seemed meh. It took me a while to realise that social media is more or less a highlight reel, and that we cannot compare someone's highlights to our outtakes.
Let's not forget another key area where social media can impact mental health: body image. Nowadays, social media is often filled with images of "perfect" bodies, which in turn can create unrealistic expectations and feelings of inadequacy among many users. People spend hours edit their pictures just to receive more likes and followers. This obsession with picture perfect reality can result in body dissatisfaction, contributing to poor self-esteem, diet problems and even eating disorders.
Adela has been my constant sounding board for this. We have had numerous late-night chats about the impact of unrealistic beauty standards amplified by social media. And hence, we have made a small pact to never let these digital demons affect our real-life interactions.
I'm channeling my inner Bill Nye here - let's talk science. Social media environments can trigger psychological processes related to addictive behavior. The instant gratification that comes from receiving likes, shares, and positive comments on posts result in dopamine release. This constant craving and search for "reward" can lead to addictive usage of the platform, eventually taking a major toll on one's mental health.
So where does the science leave us? Here's the thing. As long as we have our prying fingers tapping away on our screens, social media is going to be a part of our existence: be it harmful or beneficial is up to us.
At the end of the day, balance is key. It's crucial to have checks and balances with social media use. Importantly, keep the comparison game at bay. Remember, you're viewing a person’s curated highlight reel, not their blooper reel. Cutting down screen time, taking regular breaks from social media and even practising digital detox can help. Start the journey of being more self-aware and spot the negative patterns that affect your mental health.
I'm going to leave you here, with a reminder. Social media is a tool, and it's all about how we use it. We should strive to use it as a platform for spreading positivity and practicing empathy instead of falling into the pitfalls of digital intoxication. Above all, remember to be kind, both online and offline, to others and especially to yourself.
Written by Ellis Thornton
View all posts by: Ellis Thornton