The Dark Side of Social Media: How it Impacts Mental Health

From FOMO to low self-esteem, these are the psychological effects of social media

Photo by Karsten Winegeart on Unsplash

In the age of social media, it’s hard to avoid the constant stream of updates and notifications that flood our screens. While it’s great for staying connected with friends and family, it can also have a detrimental impact on our mental health. So let’s take a closer look at the effects of social media on our well-being and explore some ways to manage its impact.

One of the biggest challenges of social media is the pressure to present a perfect image to the world. Studies have shown that constantly scrolling through filtered and edited photos can lead to feelings of inadequacy and low self-esteem.

It’s hard not to compare ourselves to the seemingly perfect lives of others on social media, even though we know deep down that what we see isn’t the complete picture. It’s like trying to compare our behind-the-scenes footage to someone else’s highlight reel.

But it’s not just the comparison game that can be damaging. Social media can also contribute to FOMO (fear of missing out) and the belief that everyone else is having more fun than we are. It’s easy to feel left out when we see pictures of our friends hanging out without us or going on…