Social media plays an important role in everyone’s life in today’s world and it connects the world and brings us closer to our loved ones. But social media can also be the reason for anxiety and stress. Excess use of online media platforms can give rise to stress, anxiety, or distress. If you use social media on a regular basis you are likely to get exposed to various types of content, such as curated profiles, highlight reels, news, and discussions, which can contribute to feelings of anxiety and stress.
Please read An Overview of Anxiety – Causes, symptoms, disorders.
Social Media – How can it increase anxiety?
Social media can affect a person’s life to a great extent both physically and mentally. Few ways in which social can increase your anxiety and stress.
Social comparison
Social media is mainly related to positive outlooks on life. People usually celebrate their achievements and successes, and mostly keep their failures away from the social world. Hence, we are presented with a distorted view of reality, and we find ourselves comparing our lives to that of others and their social media projections. This can make us feel like failures and inferior to others which can cause anxiety and may also lead to depression and mental instability.
Fear of Missing Out (FOMO)
FOMO has gained wide popularity in recent times mainly because of online platforms. This mainly means that people start to compare themselves with people who are participating in other events which they cannot. This causes severe anxiety about not joining the bandwagon.
Cyberbullying
Media websites can be said to be an emerging platform where a lot of online harassment and cyberbullying are taking place. Negative comments, personal attacks and public shaming are very common on social media, and they can have a deep impact on mental health. People exposed to all these negativities on social media are most likely to have anxiety issues.
Online validation and likings
This is becoming quite common nowadays where people depend on the likes and comments they receive on online platforms to validate their self-existence and beauty. If they receive low likes or hate comments they start to judge themselves and their attributes. This practice of seeking constant online validation can be harmful and toxic for us mentally.
