Over the past decade, social media has become a focal point of American culture. It comes with many benefits, such as staying connected with friends and family that do not live nearby and meeting new people. It can even be used to advance oneself on professional platforms. 

However, social media is not without its disadvantages. It has been known to play a significant role in self-esteem and mental health, particularly in teenagers and young adults. Young people are still figuring out who they are and where they fit in society, so they often turn to social media for validation from others. They may measure how others perceive them based on how many likes a photo gets on Instagram or how many followers they have. 

When you begin to look to social media to define your self-worth, you enter dangerous territory and put yourself at risk of developing issues like poor self-esteem and poor overall mental health. 

Social Media and Comparison Issues

It can be easy to forget that images on social media can easily be manipulated through editing and filters. Every aspect of a photo can be altered to enhance body parts or remove undesirable features. In the end, the individual in the image can look a lot different from how they look in real life. 

When you scroll through Instagram and see unrealistic pictures of celebrities, influencers, models, or even your own peers, you may forget the photos have been adjusted to portray the individual in their best possible light. This often creates an appearance that is unrealistic or difficult to obtain. In turn, while viewing these photos, you may feel tempted to compare yourself and feel inferior or as if you are not good enough. In some cases, this can even lead to eating disorders, depression, and other severe mental and physical health issues. 

When you scroll through social media and see people you know get engaged, have a baby, buy a house, or get a promotion, it can be tempting to compare your own life and timeline. You may feel inadequate or as if you have not accomplished enough. However, it is essential to remember that platforms like Instagram are simply a highlight reel of someone’s life. It is common to share positive moments such as your achievements or celebrate important milestones. 

You probably would not use Instagram to document when you are having a bad day or when things go wrong. Keep this in mind while scrolling through social media and seeing pictures of people who seem to have it all together. One snapshot does not show what is going on in the background. Just because someone is smiling in a picture does not mean that they do not have challenges and daily struggles just like you. 

Social Media and Feeling Left Out 

Few things are more painful than sitting at home only to scroll through social media and see a group of your friends hanging out without you. This is especially painful when you never got an invitation and were simply left out. Instances like this can cause you to second-guess yourself, experience feelings of inadequacy, and question who your real friends are in life. 

In addition to tearing down your self-esteem, this can also lead to severe mental health problems like depression. It may even cause an individual to be tempted to engage in substance use.

How to Practice Healthy Social Media Habits

There is no question that social media is a powerful tool that can be quite dangerous. Thus, if you are going to use it regularly, it is important to instill healthy habits to protect your mental health and well-being. 

#1. Focus on your real friends, not your social media friends. Place your focus on the people who care about you and are there for you in real life, not your follower count. Real-life bonds and conversations are much stronger than social media interactions. 

#2. Make sure that you are taking breaks. Spending countless hours scrolling through social media can take a toll on your mental health. Consider temporarily deleting social media applications from your phone and going on a detox for a few days or even weeks. If a long-term break is not something you think you achieve, consider scheduling timeframes throughout the day where you allow yourself to check social media. 

#3. Don’t use social media before bed. Scrolling through social media right before bed not only impacts the mood you end the day with but can also make it harder to fall asleep. 

Social media plays a significant role in the lives of many Americans. It offers plenty of benefits and can act as a tool that connects people worldwide. However, for some people, it can lead to damaged self-esteem and other mental health disorders like anxiety and depression. Since many photos uploaded to social media have been edited, they often portray an unrealistic or unattainable type of beauty. Platforms such as Instagram act as a highlight reel of an individual’s life that only includes the good parts. This can lead viewers to feel inadequate or as if they have not accomplished enough in life. Social media can be dangerous, so it is critical to implement healthy habits. For example, take breaks, focus on your real-life friends, and don’t use social media before bed. If you are struggling with your mental health, our team at The Kimberly Center can help. Call us today at (855) 452-3683 to learn more.