Let’s clear the air. Social media is not the best arena for your mental health to thrive.
Here’s why…
Social media has the potential to negatively impacts psychological well-being. There are a few reasons why this is the case. Social media tends to be a flashy highlight reel of the lives of others. On top of that, there is social currency that people collect through the form of likes, shares, and of course attention. Social currency is a term coined by Bailey Parnell. While this instant gratification may feel good for our egos in the moment, it is short-lived and leaves us feeling empty and hungry for more.
Very rarely does social media show the hard, difficult days that require resilience. This can leave people feeling less-than or not good enough if they believe their life does not measure up to what they see on social media. This leads to a lot of comparisons.
The need and desire to check social media, check notifications, and be constantly connected can lead to addiction. Social media addiction is toxic for mental health. In the Ted Talk below, Parnell also links anxiety and depression to social media because social media creates an environment of highlight reels, comparison, and the fear of missing out
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