The Negative Side of Social Media

Social media is one of the largest captivators of humans. It can be viewed as a positive change for the world, or could be seen as a negative, distracting, burden to others. Lots of children, teenagers, and even adults depend on social media to keep them entertained while not making an effort to keep themselves busy and avoiding responsibilites. Social media is not only draining, but creates an unrealistic and unhealthy perception for the viewers about how they should look, feel or think. Social media negatively affects people’s mental health, creates an unhealthy perspective, especially for young viewers, and creates bad habits.

The act of depending on social media to keep oneself busy, is not only a waste of time that could have been spent productively, but it also creates a bad habit. Lots of teens depend on social media apps like Snapchat, Instagram and Tiktok to tell them things like the lastest fashion trends or the drama that is going on at school. Instead of worrying about doing their homework or focusing on their responsibilites at home, they’re worrying about who their crush is posting on their story or why their Instagram post didn’t get as many likes as their bestfriends did. Social media creates a unhealthy lifestyle for not only teens but adults and children too. As we all know, parents tend to get busy and children tend to get whiney, so sometimes the easier option is to pop a show on hoping it grabs the childs attention for long enough that they can get some things done. It seems like a good solution until the kid is begging to have the phone all day because they are glued to watching shows that don’t even teach them anything, just because it is a habit when they are not being entertained.

Following certain trends on social media or following someone famous, can create a want to be more like them or to look more like them because they are a celebrity or influencer and are gaining attention from it. Simple things like wanting to look or be like a celebrity, can also create unhealthy expectations for how us as people are supposed to look and act. The beauty standard of young girls nowadays is super unrealistic and leads young girls to body shame themselves or others because they believe they are suppsoed to look like the influencers on social media apps, when in reality, most of them aren’t even their real selves. This then leads to create bad habits like constantly worrying about appearance and weight and goes on to bring viewers mental health down.

On the other hand, people see social media as ways to spread word, to have a voice and make new friends. As right as they are, social media isn’t a safe way to create new friendships because you never know who is behind the screen on the other side. Having a voice on platforms also means that as the person that posted their opinions publicly, also has to be okay with receiving negative comments and hurtful words. Being okay with being put down is what you sign up for when you create a public account where you post yourself and your thoughts. Just because it is so common, does not mean it is right, because it most definetley is hurtful and ruins self esteem and mental health.

In conclusion, social media brings more negative affects into our lives as humans than positive affects. Including low self esteem, gradual decline of mental health, and creates unhealthy habits and unrealistic view points. Social media is not for the weak, it will change you.

“Automotive Social Media Marketing” by socialautomotive is licensed under CC BY 2.0.