Social media negatively impacts psychological well-being. Over the
years of my life, I have witnessed the beginning of social media and
the internet. The changes I personally have noticed in people are
concerning to me for my own children growing up in this new age of
technology. Simple things like going outside to play with the
neighbor kids have become a battle between parents and kids. I
remember when I could not wait to get outside and stay outside until
the sun went down, playing with all my friends and being active.
Nowadays, many kids choose to avoid that activity and social
interaction. Instead, they choose to play on the computer chatting
with people that in the big scheme of things do not matter and
become harmful to their psychological well-being. The generation
raised in this technological age have also lost their ability to be
patient and have created a false sense of demand for immediate
gratification. The world has become instantaneous in all forms such
as movies on demand, full seasons on the tv show in a click of a
button, instant photos instead of waiting for development, and cell
phones with maps, calculators, phone books, GPS, music, games,
internet accessible in our hands at any given moment. The new
generation is groomed to expect things at the tip of their fingers and
to never have to work for it.
Social media has opened a whole new world of scary opportunities
for our children to get hurt starting with predators, keyboard
warriors who share their mean horrible thoughts without a care in
the world to who they hurt, then down to their own personal friends
who openly chastise, insult, or put down each other. Even adults
struggle with these same situations and there is not an age limit on
the pain that can be caused. One of the largest ways individuals
become psychologically injured is by their reliance on social media to
decide their self-worth. A large part of the well-being of an individual
is to have a keen sense of self-worth and understanding of who you
are. In today's day, individuals rely on social media to establish
belonging, self-worth, self-esteem, and who they are as an individual.
If social media deems you as not worthy, it isolates you and
depression sets in. Crawling out of that hole can be extremely
difficult. A study done in an article I found showed several different
negative impacts social media has over an individual. “Feeling that
one’s self-worth was dependent on external factors (e.g., approval
from others, appearance, competition, and academics) have been
associated with an increase in depressive symptoms among college
students” (Sabik, Natalie, p. 411-421). College students should be out
finding out who they are and who they want to become instead of
sitting at a computer waiting for the approval of others and becoming
depressed. Social media can be very cruel and is devastating to the
psychological well-being of an individual.
Social media effects link to the programmatic theme of self-care. As
humans, we strive to better ourselves and meet the needs of
Maslow's hierarchy. 4 out of the 5 tiers are affected by social media.
Safety, love and belonging, esteem and self-actualization. If we are
unable to reach our needs as human beings due to the influence of
social media, then self-care cannot be achieved. Self-care means
taking the time to reflect and develop skills to improve your well-
being. How can self-care be achieved when our world has become
dependent on social media to tell them who they are as an individual?
It damages our mental stability and overall well-being. Putting away
the computer, tablet or phone is one of the best self-care habits you
can create for yourself to achieve good overall psychological well-
being. b
Sabik, Natalie, et al. “When Self-Worth Depends on Social Media
Feedback: Associations with Psychological Well-Being". Sex Roles.
2020, Vol. 82, issue 7/8, p. 411-421
