The use of
social media continues to grow. Today, there are
3.96 billion social media users worldwide.
These ever-growing
numbers of users don’t only discover the perks of social media but also
experience its negative aspects. Here are the 5 most often experienced negative
effects on mental health:
Feeling
inadequate about yourself.
Most people don’t share their low moments on social media. They share the
highlights: vacations, new purchases, promotions, and other special moments.
They don’t post when they lounge around in an old tracksuit, are sick, or have
a large pimple on their forehead. Also, most of the images are manipulated. But
even if we know that this is not people’s everyday life, seeing everyone around
us doing so well makes us feel inadequate, jealous, or upset.
Depression
and anxiety.
Comparing yourself to others may lead to a lot of negative emotions, including
inadequacy, anxiety, or worse. According to makeuseof.com, chronic social media users are more
likely to report poor mental health, including symptoms of anxiety and
depression.
Fear
of missing out (FOMO).
This phenomenon was first identified back in 1996, but its prominence increased
with the arrival of social media. FOMO refers to the feeling that others are
having a better time and living better lives. It’s accompanied by jealousy and
envy, as well as affects the person’s self-esteem.
General
addiction. Like
cigarettes or alcohol, social media is very addictive. Many social media users
check their accounts infinite times a day, without even realizing it. The apps
are also designed to be addictive. The endless scroll, ever-changing content,
and notifications instantly draw us in.
Cyberbullying.
According to helpguide.org, about 10% of teens report being
bullied on social media, and many other users are subjected to offensive
comments. And we could only guess how many instances of cyberbullying go
unreported.
READ MORE: 5 ways to nix cyber bullies
What
can be done?
How can we make social media less damaging and more fun? Chad Hammond,
cybersecurity expert at NordPass shares his top tips:
1. Stay mindful. Remember that social media doesn’t necessarily lie to
you, but it doesn't give you the whole truth.
2. You can create a better experience for yourself online. You are
completely in charge of who you follow. If someone makes you feel uncomfortable
and insecure, unfollow them or hide them from your feed.
3. Get rid of instant notifications. Go to Instagram or Facebook every few
hours if you need to, but don’t have the notifications popping up on your
screen.
4. If you choose to stay on social media, don’t forget cybersecurity. Losing a password or falling victim to a data
breach can be immensely stressful.
ABOUT NORDPASS
NordPass is a password
manager powered by the latest technology for the utmost security. Developed with affordability, simplicity, and ease-of-use in mind, NordPass
allows users to access passwords securely on desktop, mobile, and browsers. All
passwords are encrypted on the device, so only the user can access them.
NordPass was created by the experts behind NordVPN — the advanced security and
privacy app trusted by more than 14 million customers worldwide. For more
information: nordpass.com.
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