Why Does Social Media Have a Negative Impact? 8 Illuminating reasons!
By Antoine G Larosiliere
As much time we spend using social media, I couldn’t stop thinking about it. I kept asking myself. “why does social media have a negative impact?”
Social media is addictive both physically and psychologically. It affects millions of people around the world, and the people who use it the most are our teens. As a parent and educator, I find this very concerning and I need to know why does social media have a negative impact? After doing some research, I came across 8 of the most illuminating reasons.
#1 Humans have a need to be social.
It’s funny how technology is supposed to bring us closer together, but in reality we get further apart. Social interactions are an essential need for every human being. Social media interactions can be useful, but those in person interactions are what we really need. Humans cannot survive without companionship, and life without it is a detriment to our mental and emotional well being. Having companionship brings joy and happiness to our lives, as well as eases stress, anxiety, loneliness that helps you live longer.
#2 It makes us feel inadequate about our own lives.
I’m sure you’ve heard the expression, “you can’t believe everything you read on the internet. Social media represents those same sentiments; almost every picture or video has been edited, manipulated and enhanced. Most of the time we’re watching highlight reels of someone else’s life, not the real picture. These perfected images can make us feel insecure about our own life, especially how we look.
“As human beings we want to belong to something and we like to associate ourselves with high valued things.”
#3 We don’t want to be left out.
We all can probably empathize that at some point we understand the notion of not wanting to be left out. As human beings we want to belong to something and we like to associate ourselves with high valued things. It makes us feel good about ourselves and gives our existence some clarity. Social media definitely takes advantage of our need to not want to be left out by showing us what others are doing that we could be doing to. You might begin to notice that you’re constantly checking social media updates too often, in hopes that you didn’t miss anything. The notion that we might be missing out can affect our self esteem, cause anxiety while increasing our use of social media.
#4 It increases the likelihood of cyberbullying.
Bullying happens everywhere, in school, at home, at the park, at the mall and even online. The more time you spend online and on social media; the likelihood of being cyberbullied increases. According to research, about 10 percent of teens report being cyberbullied on social media. Social media platforms have become hotspots for spreading rumors, lies, and abuse that can have a damaging effect on someone’s life.
#5 It triggers us to become more self centered.
Since the highlight reels showcased on social media makes us feel inadequate in our own lives; this would likely motivate someone to become more adequate. To become more adequate, a person may begin to be more self centered to create their own highlight reels. The same thing happens with those who excessively check their social media because they don’t want to be left out. They’ll try to mimic what they see on social media, so they can feel they are part of the trend, or are associated with the same brands and lifestyle. Most of the time when you try to associate yourself with the same things being highlighted on social media, it will require you to be more self centered.
#6 It masks our insecurities.
Some people don’t realize it, but they use social media to avoid addressing their insecurities. When they’re in a face to face meeting, they may be uncomfortable, and turn to social media to provide them with a distraction. Many other’s put together highlight reels to show the opposite of what they’re insecure about. For example, some people’s highlight reels will consist of headshots because they are insecure of their bodies. While others will highlight their bodies because they are insecure about their facial features.
#7 It creates an unhealthy cycle.
Healthy habits lead to a healthy lifestyle. Good daily behaviors can become routine and therefore become automatic; but so do bad habits. Social media can create an unhealthy cycle by…
- Using it more and more often as a way to relieve boredom, anxiety, depression or discomfort.
- Using it often, regardless of increased feelings of inadequacy, dissatisfaction, and isolation.
- Letting these feelings negatively affect your mood and make symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress worse.
- You’re using social media even more because of the worsening symptoms and the downward spiral comences.
#8 We use it to avoid dealing with our real problems.
It takes a lot for us to face our problems; it takes courage. When we don’t have that courage, we’ll use whatever distraction we can find and use that distraction as our excuse. One of those distractions can easily be and often is social media. You’re using it to distract yourself from undesirable feelings, thoughts and our real problems.
Social media addiction will look very much like any other substance abuse disorder and it’s largely attributed to the dopamine-inducing social environments that social media platforms provide. If you are already dealing with a social media addiction, please seek professional help. I hope this has been helpful. Also visit my YouTube channel for more insight to these topics.
The Bully Experience "Daniel's Story"
Sign up for our newsletter and Read the novel For Free!
Stay updated. Sign up for our newsletter, and get the first two chapters of The Bully Experience Daniel’s Story absolutely free.