It is revealed how Social Media and Mental Health and emotional welfare. Learn why a lot of screen can cause anxiety, stress and loneliness from time to time. Understand the difference between real world and online connections. Find out how filters and fomo affect your self -esteem.
Explore the risks of cyberbullying and social media addiction. Get tips to reduce screen time and protect your mental health. Learn the positive side of using social media wisely. Learn how to stay safe and happy online. Perfect for teenagers, parents and teachers. Simple, clear and easy to read for all.
Human beings are social animals. This means that we need friends and family to stay happy and healthy. When we spend time with people that we care, it helps us feel better. It reduces stress, makes us less unhappy or worried, and even helps us live longer. But if we do not talk more to others or feel alone, it can hurt our mental health.
What is social media?
Social media is the place where we use the Internet to talk and share with others. we can use:
- Tikokok
- Snapchat
- YouTube
- X (used to be Twitter)
These apps help us connect with friends, watch videos and share photos. But they do not give us the same pleasure as talking to anyone face to face. Social Media and Mental Health
Real life vs online life
It is powerful to talk to someone to someone. A throat, smile, or kind word can make you feel better. Social media cannot do this. In fact, spending too much time online can make you feel alone, even if you are talking to many people.
Are you always online?
If you are online and start feeling unhappy, angry or feeling alone, it may be a time to take a break. Look at your habits and try to spend more time in the real world. Social Media and Mental Health
How social media affects mental health
It can make you feel worried or sad
Sometimes, when people use social media a lot, they feel more:
- Concerned
- Downhearted
- Left out
- This is especially true for teenage and young adults.
Social media can be addictive
Social media gives your brain a chemical called dopamine. Dopamine makes you feel good. Every time someone likes your photo or comment, you feel happy. But if you do not like enough, you can feel bad or insignificant. This can hurt your self -esteem.
Filters can cheat your brain
Many apps give you the filter to use how you look. Filters can make your skin perfect or change your face shape. These can be fun for a moment, but by looking at a lot of right pictures you can feel that you are not quite good. Social Media and Mental Health
Fear of missing out (fomo)
When you see friends having fun without you, you can feel. This feeling is called foamo. It makes you feel that other people have a better life. But remember, people usually share the best parts of their life, not difficult parts. Social Media and Mental Health
Cyberbullying hurts
Cyberbullying is when someone is online for you. They can say bad things, spread lies, or make you feel embarrassed. In 2020, about half of the people in the US said they had experienced this online. It can leave a permanent emotional mark. Social Media and Mental Health
How to safely use social media
You do not have to stop using social media. Social Media and Mental Health But you should use it in a safe and healthy way. Here are some suggestions to help:
Determine a time limit
Use your phone settings to limit how much time you spend on social media each day. Perhaps start from 30 minutes and see how you feel. Social Media and Mental Health
Choose to use social media
Choose specific hours to check social media. For example, you can check your apps after school but not before sleeping. Social Media and Mental Health
Negative accounts unfollowed
Look at your friend list. If someone does not like you unhappy, angry, or quite good, it is okay to unfollow them or unfold them. Social Media and Mental Health
Take brakes often
Try to take social media breaks for a day or a week. Use the time to do things you love in real life, such as playing, reading, or spending time with family.
Good things about social media
While there are some downside in social media, it also has many good marks. Here are some ways that help Social Media and Mental Health:
Keep in touch
You can talk to friends and family who stay away. You can share photos, updates and messages with them.
make new friends
You can meet those who like the same things you do, such as sports, music or drawing.
Support and help others
You can join groups that talk about things you care about. You can also help others by sharing kind words and support during difficult times.
Learn new things
You can find videos and articles that teach you new skills, such as cooking, dancing, or solving mathematics problems.
Express your creativity
You can share fun videos with art, music, stories, or others. This is a fun way to show the world who you are. Social Media and Mental Health
Bad things about social media
While social media can be fun, it can also cause problems. Social Media and Mental Health
Feeling bad about yourself
Even though you know that pictures are edited, but seeing people looking “right” may make you feel ugly or not enough. Remember, no one is perfect in real life.
Addiction to your phone
If you check your phone every few minutes, you can be addicted. This can hurt your sleep, tired you, and can take time out of real life fun.
Loneliness
A study at the University of Pennsylvania has shown that using social media can be left alone and left alone. Spending less time online helps people feel better and more connected.
depression and anxiety
When you stop talking to people in a person and use only your phone, you can feel more worried or depressed. Talking face to face is the best way to feel better and feel love.
Cyber-threatened
Many teenagers have been harassed on social media. People can spread comments, lies or rumors. It hurts people deeply and may fear or make them very sad. Social Media and Mental Health
Excessive self-focus
Some people share everything online pictures, emotions, problems. While it’s okay to express yourself, much of it can care more about you likes than real friendship.
Tips for a healthy digital life
Here are some simple methods that feel better and enjoy both real life and social media:
- Spend more time with out or real people
- Turn off the notification so that your phone does not be beep throughout the day
- Do something fun without your phone every day
- If you feel unhappy, worried or lonely, talk to someone you trust
- Create time for exercise, good sleep and healthy food
- Use social media to spread kindness, don’t hurt