Therapist Thoughts: The Impact of Social Media on Mental Health
I have a Frenemy, it’s social media. Mental Health
According to the Oxford English Dictionary, a Frenemy is a “A person with whom one is friendly, despite a fundamental dislike or rivalry; a person who combines the characteristics of a friend and an enemy”. I believe that this description sums up my relationship with social media. I enjoy the ability to keep in contact with those far away, to see pictures of loved ones and to connect regularly with my peers. With this access, I am also burdened at times with feelings of jealousy or inadequacy when I see others’ achievements that seem to be “oh so better” than mine. My Facebook feed has been filled with engagements, weddings and babies as of late, and as an individual not quite there yet, it is hard not to be in constant comparison. Knowing that social media use can magnify my insecurities, I have been wondering how does social media impact our mental health?
According to a recent NPR article, a study from the University of Michigan found that for college age adults, the more they used Facebook, the worse they felt. The study found that Facebook use led to declines in moment to moment happiness and overall life satisfaction. While the study did not ask participants why using Facebook made them feel less happy, the researcher hypothesized it was due to social comparison. Interestingly, researchers found that face-to-face or phone interaction had the opposite effect. Another article found on Good Housekeeping online, reported that a paper written by Facebook, in conjunction with Carnegie Melon University, found that talking to your friends on Facebook makes you happy, but talking to strangers or reading about people does not. The article concluded “it’s what you specifically do on social media that determines your happiness. People who read about acquaintances but didn’t talk to them felt worse, while people who received comments about acquaintances felt only a tiny bit better.”
After researching this topic, it is important to remember perspective when engaging in social media. A colleague recently said “You are comparing your worst to their best”, meaning that you are comparing your worst insecurities to the best possible image someone has chosen to display to the public. It is important to be compassionate with yourself! If you find social media is taking a toll on your mood, be sure to give yourself a break. Spend less time comparing and more time doing. Go try a new activity, call a friend or read a good book. Spend time taking care of yourself and happiness will follow. I know that I will make an effort to limit time with my Frenemy this week.
Written by Elizabeth Hamburger, MS LMFT
References
https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/health/wellness/news/a36539/how-facebook-affects-your-mood-study/
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