Excessive social media use can take a toll on young people's mental health
Thanks to the proliferation of mobile devices there is now "Text Neck Syndrome," where social media is quite literally becoming a pain in the neck! The more we look down at our devices during the day the more this could result in changes in our posture and alignment.
However, that is just one of the lesser concerns about the impact social media is having on our modern lives. Excessive social media use can also take a toll on young people's mental health.
As college-age students are spending up to an hour or two a day at a minimum on social media, it is cutting into time that they could be studying or engaging in actual social activities. However, quitting or curbing the time spent on social media can actually result in its own problems.
"For college students, social media can be a double-edged sword: On the one hand, avoiding social media altogether can lead to feelings of loneliness and fear of missing out, because social media is now a primary means for maintaining social connections," explained Dr. Mary Jean Amon of the School of Modeling, Simulation, and Training at the University of Central Florida.
"On the other hand, research shows too much or problematic social media use is often associated with worsened mental health and even impairments to academic performance," she added.
In general, students struggling with their mental health should even consider seeking professional help from their university's counseling and psychological services, which are well-equipped to deal with issues specific to college students.
"I also encourage parents to have constructive conversations and practice empathy when considering their kid's experiences with social media," suggested Amon. "Social media is a primary means of communication for young people, yet it is not always easy to navigate."
How To Use Social Media Responsibly
Cutting out social media entirely may not be the answer for most college students, especially as more Gen Zers use it as a primary means of communication – as opposed to email or phone.
"Some ways to curb these effects would be to limit your time on social media and stick to it. Both iPhone and Androids have displays in their settings that allow you to view your screen time and how much time you allocate to each app per day," said Dr. Mai-Ly Nguyen Steers, assistant professor at Duquesne's School of Nursing.
"Moreover, apps like Forest can help young people kick their phone addictions by offering credits, which they can use to plant real trees," Nguyen Steers continued.
Even simply unplugging for a few and getting outdoors can help young people reclaim their mental health.
"According to the Attention Restoration Theory, getting our vitamin D while enjoying the peaceful moment in a park or seeing the crashing waves of the ocean can serve as a restorative reset button, which leaves people more alert, engaged, and rejuvenated," said Nguyen Steers.
Moreover, using social media primarily to connect with close friends and family members helps maintain social ties that also tend to bolster mental health.
"In addition, practicing mindfulness, optimism, and avoiding all-or-nothing thinking can improve mental health outcomes associated with excessive social media use," added Amon. "Students also report benefiting from using privacy and boundary regulating mechanisms on social media platforms."
