Social Media and mental health a conscious contemplation

Social Media

This week was world mental health day, the second one of the COVID-19 pandemic and issues to do with social media and mental health are at the fore.

Facebook has delayed the development of an Instagram app for children amid concerns about its harmful effects on young people’s mental health.  Recently, a Facebook employee and whistleblower Frances Haugen testified on how the company entices users to keep scrolling, harming teens’ well-being.

On a global scale social media is a powerful tool that has impacted how we gather information, share ideas and reach out to each other across virtual networks. According to a report published by Data reportal Namibia has experienced an increase in the presence of people on social media taking it to a total of 800,000 social media users in Namibia.

In the advent of the COVID-19 pandemic, people are now using social media more than usual routine as they rely on news sources from online sources to seek health information about themselves and their loved ones.

However, it does have downsides. Evidence suggests that its over use can negatively affect mental health.  Researchers believe that social media addiction is a real thing, and that it’s becoming more prevalent. Excessive use has been linked to poor sleep quality and decreased work performance. According to the World Health Organisation mental health conditions are on the rise. Remember that Faceboook knows the negative effects Instagram has on teenage girls.

Academic research shows that the more hours a day a teen spends on social media, the more likely she or he is to be depressed or to self-harm.

Facebook’s own research stated that, “The tendency to share only the best moments, a pressure to look perfect and an addictive product can send teens spiraling toward eating disorders, an unhealthy sense of their own bodies and depression.”

In response to the criticism, they have received over the negative impact the platform has on teens. The company will allow adults to supervise what the teens are doing online if they choose to do so, nudge users who are looking at a lot of harmful content over to different content and prompt teens to take a break from Instagram.