Does increased usage of social media platforms contribute to higher rates of depression among young adults compared to those who use social media less frequently?

Social media has evolved throughout the years and its history encompasses a far greater period than many might expect. We are familiar with platforms like Facebook, TikTok, Youtube, Instagram, Snapchat, etc. In a society where everyone has access to the internet. Everyone is on social media, especially kids and young adults. According to NPR, By 2022, 95% of teens said they use social media, and about a third say they use it constantly. But in the silent generation (born from 1925 to 1945), they had no such thing as social media. Their way of communication and pleasure was going outside and meeting their friends after school. To pick up a girl, they had to show up at her house and throw rocks at her window to grab her attention. To talk to their friends they had to use the landline. There was no such thing as iPhones which everyone uses nowadays. Now compare a Gen Z teenager to his father who grew up in the silent generation without the internet. This casual argument focuses on finding out the positive and negative differences among young adults of this current generation who constantly use the internet compared to those who use it less. 

First, let’s break down the benefits of the usage of social media. Obviously, communication is one of the best benefits that it offers. The ability to communicate with anyone in the world at any time of the day is very useful. For example in my situation, my nephew who lives in the Philippines just had his birthday last week. If it wasn’t for social media, I wouldn’t have the ability to communicate with him. If you are in need of something, you can easily give someone a call. Another thing social media provides is connections. With social media, it is so easy now to network and meet new people. With applications like Discord, it is possible to make valuable relationships online. It is also possible to get a girlfriend online because of dating applications like Tinder and Bumble. You could also make memories through video games or watch parties. The sky is the limit with the possibilities that social media provides. Lastly, it is easy to stay up to date with social media. Your feed will constantly be updated with the latest news. Whether it be about your friend group, family, or famous people. The algorithm will always be up to date. 

Now the negatives, Social media platforms are designed to keep us addicted. According to Courtney Smith of Functional Patterns, features like the endless scroll, carefully chosen content and instant notifications trigger a dopamine release in our brains, which is chemically linked to pleasure. This makes us want to keep checking social media for validation and quick gratification, creating a habit of mindless scrolling and reactive behavior. Constant comparisons on social media can make us feel anxious, leading some people to disconnect entirely. This could also cause sleep deprivation, which could lead to major anxiety and depression. 

So what is life like without social media? What is it like to detox from the internet and delete all your socials? From the different YouTube videos I watched, I grasped some important takeaways. Firstly you have more time. With less time on your phone, you get to spend more time finding out yourself and what you like. You get to spend more time with friends and family, doing work, cleaning the house, reconnecting with people, etc. You become more productive and appreciate the other things in life outside social media. Secondly, you stop comparing yourself to people all the time. With social media, whenever you see other people, the thought of “Why can’t I be this good” or “Why should I even try” always comes up.  Without social media blocking your mind, it allows you to pursue your passions. Lastly, you get to live in the present moment. While being on your phone most of the time, time goes by so fast. But if you take a second and look around and appreciate the things around you. It enlightens your mind and makes you think of the positive aspects. 

In conclusion, a social detox is beneficial because it allows people to take a break from continual exposure to social media, which can contribute to emotions of anxiety, stress, and comparison. It offers a chance for reflection, better mental health, and concentration on relationships and activities in real life. However, there are still a lot of advantages to social media. It enables people to access a wide range of knowledge and resources, maintain relationships with friends and family, and exchange thoughts and experiences. Social media platforms can also be used for networking and education. The key lies in finding a balance between using social media mindfully and intentionally, while also recognizing the value of disconnecting from it periodically to prioritize mental health and personal well-being.

References:

Lile, S. (2023, August 4). Complete history of social media: Then and now. Small Business Trends. https://smallbiztrends.com/2023/08/history-of-social-media.html?expand_article=1

Lin LY;Sidani JE;Shensa A;Radovic A;Miller E;Colditz JB;Hoffman BL;Giles LM;Primack BA; (n.d.). Association between social media use and depression among U.S. young adults. Depression and anxiety. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26783723/

Lin, L. Y., Sidani, J. E., Shensa, A., Radovic, A., Miller, E., Colditz, J. B., Hoffman, B. L., Giles, L. M., & Primack, B. A. (2016, April). Association between social media use and depression among U.S. young adults. Depression and anxiety. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4853817/

Smith, C. (n.d.). Weighing the impact of social media addiction. Functional Patterns. https://functionalpatterns.com/blogs/articles/weighing-the-impact-of-social-media-addiction?https%3A%2F%2Ffunctionalpatterns.com%2Fproducts%2Fthe-10-week-fp-online-course%3Futm_source=google&utm_medium=paid&utm_campaign=fb%2Bretarget&utm_content=10%2Bweek%2Bimage&gclid=CjwKCAiA3aeqBhBzEiwAxFiOBiE_b_70VtWP6QUC1gnCzHUI7p5_SiEH3AlktOQNKwRbgNA7w9tY2BoC8zMQAvD_BwE

A systematic review: The influence of social media on depression … (n.d.). https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/pdf/10.1080/02673843.2019.1590851

Understanding social media use and balance: Jed. The Jed Foundation. (2023, April 28). https://jedfoundation.org/resource/understanding-social-media-use-and-balance/?gclid=Cj0KCQiAgK2qBhCHARIsAGACuzkRLR2AABuwvTaxGnOsgd2lkdfDMxEykCYWkinGE3TZf-sCm6ADzzwaAgVqEALw_wcB