Social Media Impacts on Mental Health

Over the summer of 2024, I did research with Dr. Maria Konte who is a professor at
Georgia Tech. I did research on how social media affects mental health. I wrote a research
paper about it and found some things that were interesting in my opinion. Here is a summary about what I found interesting.

Social media use has skyrocketed. It has a very negative effect on mental health. Users
are often exposed to distressing content that can feed them negative thoughts and emotions. Platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and Twitter appeal to different demographics, with Facebook being more popular among older people and Instagram being more popular among younger users. Social media usage patterns often indicate mental health conditions. Overuse and negative posts tend to indicate underlying issues such as anxiety or depression.

The relationship between social media and mental health is complex. This is because
users often make social comparisons (evaluating ourselves by comparing to others). Monitoring your mental health on social media requires self-awareness and strategic management like limiting screen time and only seeing positive content. People who notice distress in others can seek professional help by providing support. However, users face challenges including data breaches, phishing attacks, copyright infringement, and other legal issues that may increase anxiety and stress. In the future, social media may be evolving with new features, but these advancements may also cause additional mental health challenges. Balancing the benefits of social media with strategies to promote mental health will be important as technology continues to evolve.