Why do we love social media so much? This may seem like a very innocent or simple question, but in reality, the answers reveal some deadly truths about how we’ve adapted to behave, think, and perceive life around us. Social media offers an easier, efficient way to connect and share information between other people. It is mainly used by adolescents or young adults, but can be used by anyone who has access to it. Social media’s popularity continues to grow and is used practically everywhere, from just sharing photos with friends to being used in a business to promote their products. This kind of popularity holds a strong influence within our societal structure and is able to reach the masses. Depending on its use, social media can either help or hurt people within society. This begs to question what kind of impact social media has on its users. Furthermore, with the increased use of social media there is also a growing concern for the mental health of the users leading people to question what kind of correlation exists between social media use and poor mental health of its users. The most frequently discussed mental health condition is depression. Since social media is increasingly popular, holds a strong influence, and is mainly used by adolescents, people have started to question whether social media could potentially harm users and be linked to negative impacts such as depression. Why is there a suggested connection between social media use and mental health problems such as depression and what kind of impact does it have on its users? Should social media sites set precautions if it poses a risk to users and if so, then what? 

Social media is an outlet, a way to share information and photos to friends, family, and even complete strangers. People can pick and choose what they want the world to see or know about them. Photos and information can be edited, manipulated, and altered to fit the needs of that person or to meet society’s wants. It establishes this false reality that people tend to believe is true. It’s a dangerous illusion. Social media is a platform where people can portray themselves in any way they desire and comment on other people’s posts. There aren’t any real boundaries or ways of distinguishing between what is fake and what is real. It also means that those who hold a stronger influence on society, are capable of setting the trend or determining what’s popular and what is not, therefore causing people to follow and behave similarly. Those who don’t fit the “standard” are judged and looked at in a different light. This can lead to mental health problems like depression, due to the strong influence social media holds on society and the fact that people can start to compare themselves to other users, even though what they’re seeing isn’t always necessarily accurate or true. Social media also makes it far easier to communicate with others, even if it’s in a rude way. Ultimately, self-esteem, self-worth, and confidence can be lowered to the point where they can become depressed. Due to its easy access, social media allows people to create various accounts on various sites. Multiple platforms like this makes is much simpler to avoid physical interactions, favor isolation, and spend large amounts of time online (Primack et al). Isolation in this manner creates a false reality for the user and leads to more depressive symptoms because of the overuse. Their reality becomes the same as social media’s. Additionally, the site used can impact the user differently (MacMillan). Social media sites vary in style, portray information differently, and contain different set expectations (MacMillan). Especially at a young age, it’s very easy to become emotionally invested and committed to social media (Woods and Scott). People want to fit in and receive positive feedback, but that is never guaranteed. If negative feedback is given, those who are emotionally invested will be devastated and begin to compare themselves to the feedback given which could possibly lower their self-esteem. They may begin to think negatively about themselves and if they continue to receive other hurtful feedback or comments, it will only make it worse. This kind of investment and commitment will establish poor quality of life for the individual (Woods and Scott). Being so involved and devoted to social media means that those people lose out on real, genuine experiences with other people who are physically there (Alter). Real, genuine experiences are valued because they create joy and happiness, they create lasting memories that can only be appreciated if they are physically experienced (Alter). Instead, users are looking through a screen and watching other people’s experiences that they captured with their camera. The photo only shows the image, it cannot display the emotions and feelings during that moment. Therefore, they lose out on an experience which could’ve added more joy to their life and instead they compare themselves to other people who are sharing their experiences (Alter). 

This detachment, or isolation is a big factor for depression. It almost guarantees worsening symptoms due to only being around oneself. There are no distractions except social media, but that can worsen it. If their mindset is already negative, they’ll continue to think that way. Social media allows them to judge and compare themselves, lose their self-worth, and possibly read negative comments. The fact that they’re already isolated will put them in a worse state with no way to get help because people with depression usually don’t openly admit or ask for help. Social media can also be used as an excuse to not socialize or go out. Isolation from the real world leads to detachment from it, but if it’s combined with social media use, then the user will most likely distort their own reality. Due to its strong influence and popularity, social media can “change the way people view their own world” (Strasburger, 10).  Perception plays a vital role in social media due to the fact that the information provided can be perceived in various ways depending on the reader or viewer (Strasburger). One of the most important things to note is the fact that most users are adolescents which means they are very impressionable and vulnerable (Strasburger). Social media plays a role in affecting their development and behavior because of the stage adolescents are in and how they are at “an increased risk of imitative behavior” (Strasburger, 35). Social media possesses the power, influence, and “ability to transmit information and to shape attitudes” (Strasburger, 42). This kind of power is very concerning especially due to the fact that most users are at a vulnerable stage of their lives (Strasburger). 

On the contrary, some people believe that social media provides many positive impacts. Social media can connect people around the world, share ideas, and allow people to access the help they may need (Wallace). Many believe that it is especially helpful for teenagers because it can be an outlet when someone is struggling and needs help or support (Wallace). Adolescents are able to express their emotions or thoughts freely and receive positive feedback (Wallace). Social media is very easy to access and is another way to communicate with others when they aren’t normally able to. These ideas are not wrong, but they lack a sense of reality. Social media doesn’t guarantee only positive feedback or connection with others. People can express themselves, but they could get negative feedback, no support, or just made fun of which leads to a worse state of mind. Social media is known for allowing people to express and share their ideas, but unfortunately that includes both positive and negative sides. 

Social media has the capability to establish or worsen mental health problems, but ultimately it comes down to how social media is used and what kind of warnings or precautions are set up to protect the public health and wellbeing of users. Habit strength plays a huge role in what kind of impact social media has on its users (Khang). This behavior can worsen or prevent harmful effects from occurring (Khang). Users aren’t always aware of how to use social media in a healthy way because it’s never really been established nor do the sites warn users of the possible effects that could happen (Radovic). Once people understand and identify how to go about using social media in a healthy manner and learn to avoid the negative aspects, it becomes a more beneficial way of communicating and connecting with others (Radovic). Social media is quite similar to smoking. They’re both addicting and once the habit is formed it’s very difficult to break away from that habit, but there is one difference. Cigarettes contain many warnings, advertisements, and side effects in order to protect the health of any possible user whereas social media lacks those warnings and precautions. Social media should have warnings such as pop ups where they tell the user if they’ve been online for a long period of time or photos that have been altered should have a special marking so that the user is aware of the editing done (MacMillan). Simple shifts in the way social media is presented can completely change people’s perception. Parents, teachers, and health professionals should be made aware of the situation at hand and should be encouraged to educate patients and adolescents on how to use social media properly. Social media is very much connected to mental health issues and poses many concerns, especially for adolescents, but it is quite simple to manage and help users understand that everything online isn’t always accurate or true. Warnings, labels, and educated adolescents can help address the problem at hand and start to help those with mental health problems rather than harm them.  
