Here’s How Social Media Affects Your Mental Health | McLean Hospital

-social media platforms are addictive and are associated with depression, anxiety and physical ailments.

-the possibility of a positive outcome/reward (like, positive comment) keeps users coming back to use the platform. FOMO (fear of missing out) keeps users coming back.

-searching for validation on the internet can replace meaningful connections.

-British study showed that decreased, disrupted, and delayed sleep were tied to social media use. This is associated with depression, memory loss, and poor academic performance. Social media use can affect users’ physical health even more directly.

-the younger the teen is before they start using social media, the greater the impact on their mental health. Everyone looks perfect which is a distorted sense of reality.

-social media has become an expected source of announcements and news

-individuals can take control of their behaviour. Monitor their use and how it impacts their behaviour.