The Hidden Costs of the Algorithm: How Social Media Affects Mental Health
So, let’s have a hard conversation. I am going to be completely honest with you. Maybe, just maybe, our phone is the real issue. At least, when it comes to our mental health and over-consumption of media.
But why does this matter, and why should it concern you? Because your mind and heart are filled with thoughts, emotions, and feelings! You have faced your own unique challenges, and you genuinely care for those around you who are grappling with their mental health struggles!
Mental health is not something that should be considered taboo to speak about. It is a topic that should be talked about more often! Especially because we, as humans, thrive off of connecting with others and feeling emotionally balanced!
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) defines mental health as a component that is equally as important as physical health when it comes to your overall well being. Specifically, mental health is defined as a crucial piece of our behavioral health-which includes emotional, psychological, and social well-being. With all of these areas that are included, there also comes many areas in your life that may have the power to negatively impact your overall mental health. Let’s focus on one area- social media and your phone.
With any online platform, there are pros and cons. When it comes to social media, some may say that the cons hold more weight than the pros do. Looking at an article focused on social media and mental health, the authors highlight the pros of using social media-including staying connected with friends and family, raising awareness of important issues easily through your platform, having an outlet for creativity, and discovering new information and communities. These pros seem pretty good, right?
Well, here are the cons. The authors cite that many studies have found a strong correlation between heavy social media use and increased risk for mental health issues-such as depression, anxiety, loneliness, self-harm ideation, and even suicidal ideation. Furthermore, they explain that often, social media has the power to influence one to compare themselves to every single post they see. This can lead to feeling inadequate in oneself or feeling as though you are missing out on life (FOMO). These types of feelings then can morph into a more difficult experience of isolation and a dependency on the consumption of media. In other words, social media has the potential to continue the downward spiral of extremely heavy emotions and feelings-if it is used in an unhealthy manner.
So no, I am not telling you that the phone is always the problem, but in some situations our phones can be the issue.
Of course, this is a hard pill to swallow. No one likes to recognize that their phone can contribute to their mental health, but let's be realistic-it can. And this is coming from a 22 year old who grew up with the rise of technology and social media.
But, what can you do about it? And how can you help your overall mental health?
This May, I challenge you to truly limit your time on social media. It’s important to separate yourself from the constant comparison and overindulgence of social media because it might allow you to connect more with yourself and improve your overall mental health!
Written by Kenzie Citro
Family Services Counselor at Mutual Ground
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