QUESTION: Do social media affect mental health?
Modern social media have a powerful and ambiguous impact on human mental health, with teenagers and young adults being particularly vulnerable to this influence. The platforms' algorithms are designed to keep the user's attention for as long as possible, which often leads to the formation of behavioral addiction.
One of the main problems of social media is the phenomenon of social comparison, where a person constantly sees idealized, retouched versions of other people's lives, successes, and appearances. This inevitably leads to the development of self-doubt, lower self-esteem, and the appearance of the fear of missing out, known as FOMO, which is accompanied by a constant fear of missing an important event or trend.
In addition, endless scrolling of the news feed before bedtime deals a serious blow to the body's physiology due to the blue light of gadget screens. This radiation suppresses the natural production of melatonin, the sleep hormone, which leads to insomnia, superficial sleep, morning grogginess, and a general decrease in stress resistance during the day.
To minimize the negative impact of digital platforms on your mental state, use the following digital hygiene rules: