Since the integration of social media into every aspect of our society, there has been some speculation as to whether or not prolonged use of apps like Instagram has an effect on mental health. While some sources say yes, there is still a debate raging as to whether or not the effects of social media use are entirely negative.
Sites like Instagram are said to create unrealistic expectations and cause conditions like poor self-esteem and depression (causing Instagram to test out removing the like button altogether), but are the rumors actually true? Keep reading to learn more about how Instagram affects mental health according to research done by ViralRace.
The Age of Social Media
We are, without a doubt, knee-deep in the age of social media. More people than ever before are on social media, with Instagram and Facebook alone boasting at least a third of the world's population as users. That's over three billion people! Instagram recently reached the one billion mark, making it one of the most popular social media platforms in the world today. Instagram is especially popular among people under 35 years of age, sporting a younger crowd than sites like Facebook and Twitter.
The age of social media has brought with it the need to be noticed among the billions of people connected all over the globe. Whether it's viral videos, controversy, or very real human drama, people have come up with all sorts of ways to get their pages noticed and their names cemented in the annals of social media history. Some say this has a negative effect on the world, as people go to greater and greater extremes to get those followers and likes. In fact, just last year, several people actually fell off of buildings trying to get the perfect Instagram shot.
It's clear that social media isn't going anywhere, but that leaves the question, "where is it taking us?" Are we more connected than ever? Certainly. Do we share information more easily than ever? Absolutely. Is all of this a good thing? Well, that's a matter of opinion.
Follow, Follow, Follow!
Content creators are always looking for new ways to generate more followers, likes, and shares on their content. They'll buy Insta followers, change up their content, or flat out plug their content everywhere they possibly can in order to boost their popularity.
This is for two reasons: For one thing, we view social standing on these platforms as something of a badge of success. The more followers you have, the more popular you are and the more "successful" you seem to be. Gaining millions of followers certainly does have its advantages, however; it opens up new opportunities to affect social change and also earn a living on social media. It's also completely changed the way people interact with their favorite brands and products, and how those brands market their products.
In the quest to gain followers, there's been some concern about the effects of doctored-up photos, videos, and posts about people's lives. Social media tends to portray things through a lens of half-truth in a lot of cases, causing some to question if their lives measure up to what they're seeing on the screen. Some believe that it actually makes younger people feel inadequate or estranged from their fellow man.
Content is very individualized; everyone has their own take on life, hobbies, interests, etc. The important thing to remember is that at the end of the day, what you're seeing is nothing more than a different perspective on how things should be. Only you know what will make your life happy and fulfilling, and looking for it in the endless pages of social media is probably not the best way to find it.
Instagram Removes the Like Button
Instagram has long been under fire for its alleged effects on young peoples' self-esteem. It's been said that the platform is nothing more than a haven for the vain, and it creates expectations that are simply not realistic for the modern teen. Whether this is true or not, there does seem to be some correlation between prolonged use of any social media platform and feelings of self-worth.
In a stunning move last year, Instagram did a test where it removed the like button and likes from its posts for certain users. This test is aimed at providing a more "authentic" platform for its users, and to reduce the competition and unrealistic expectations that exist on the app. We're still unsure whether this move will have a positive impact or not. After all, Instagram's filters are its hallmark; most posts are altered in some way. This has given rise to a movement on the platform where people are posting un-filtered images, makeup-less selfies, and more authentic content.
Do you think removing the like button will help people feel less inadequate? Is there something else the platform could do to improve the authenticity of its users?
Mental Health is a Public Health Issue
Did you know that something like one in five adults suffers from some kind of mental health condition? Social media started coming to the forefront of our society in the early 2000s with sites like MySpace and Facebook, and has grown ever since; ironically enough, so has the depression rate worldwide. Coincidence? Maybe.
It's definitely true that social media has created a new world for young people, but it's hardly fair to say that it's to blame for even a large percentage of mental illness without further research into the subject.
Whether social media is a factor in the rise of mental illnesses in our society or not, we can all do our part to affect change in this area of health. Mental health is just as important as physical health, and the two are intertwined; one affects the other. If using social media seems likes it's making you feel withdrawn, inadequate, or lonely, take a short break from your profiles. There's nothing wrong with taking a break until you feel like yourself again, and you might discover something about yourself you otherwise wouldn't have known.
Since the integration of social media into every aspect of our society, there has been some speculation as to whether or not prolonged use of apps like Instagram has an effect on mental health. While some sources say yes, there is still a debate raging as to whether or not the effects of social media use are entirely negative.
Sites like Instagram are said to create unrealistic expectations and cause conditions like poor self-esteem and depression (causing Instagram to test out removing the like button altogether), but are the rumors actually true? Keep reading to learn more about how Instagram affects mental health according to research done by ViralRace.
The Age of Social Media
We are, without a doubt, knee-deep in the age of social media. More people than ever before are on social media, with Instagram and Facebook alone boasting at least a third of the world's population as users. That's over three billion people! Instagram recently reached the one billion mark, making it one of the most popular social media platforms in the world today. Instagram is especially popular among people under 35 years of age, sporting a younger crowd than sites like Facebook and Twitter.
The age of social media has brought with it the need to be noticed among the billions of people connected all over the globe. Whether it's viral videos, controversy, or very real human drama, people have come up with all sorts of ways to get their pages noticed and their names cemented in the annals of social media history. Some say this has a negative effect on the world, as people go to greater and greater extremes to get those followers and likes. In fact, just last year, several people actually fell off of buildings trying to get the perfect Instagram shot.
It's clear that social media isn't going anywhere, but that leaves the question, "where is it taking us?" Are we more connected than ever? Certainly. Do we share information more easily than ever? Absolutely. Is all of this a good thing? Well, that's a matter of opinion.
Follow, Follow, Follow!
Content creators are always looking for new ways to generate more followers, likes, and shares on their content. They'll buy Insta followers, change up their content, or flat out plug their content everywhere they possibly can in order to boost their popularity.
This is for two reasons: For one thing, we view social standing on these platforms as something of a badge of success. The more followers you have, the more popular you are and the more "successful" you seem to be. Gaining millions of followers certainly does have its advantages, however; it opens up new opportunities to affect social change and also earn a living on social media. It's also completely changed the way people interact with their favorite brands and products, and how those brands market their products.
In the quest to gain followers, there's been some concern about the effects of doctored-up photos, videos, and posts about people's lives. Social media tends to portray things through a lens of half-truth in a lot of cases, causing some to question if their lives measure up to what they're seeing on the screen. Some believe that it actually makes younger people feel inadequate or estranged from their fellow man.
Content is very individualized; everyone has their own take on life, hobbies, interests, etc. The important thing to remember is that at the end of the day, what you're seeing is nothing more than a different perspective on how things should be. Only you know what will make your life happy and fulfilling, and looking for it in the endless pages of social media is probably not the best way to find it.
Instagram Removes the Like Button
Instagram has long been under fire for its alleged effects on young peoples' self-esteem. It's been said that the platform is nothing more than a haven for the vain, and it creates expectations that are simply not realistic for the modern teen. Whether this is true or not, there does seem to be some correlation between prolonged use of any social media platform and feelings of self-worth.
In a stunning move last year, Instagram did a test where it removed the like button and likes from its posts for certain users. This test is aimed at providing a more "authentic" platform for its users, and to reduce the competition and unrealistic expectations that exist on the app. We're still unsure whether this move will have a positive impact or not. After all, Instagram's filters are its hallmark; most posts are altered in some way. This has given rise to a movement on the platform where people are posting un-filtered images, makeup-less selfies, and more authentic content.
Do you think removing the like button will help people feel less inadequate? Is there something else the platform could do to improve the authenticity of its users?
Mental Health is a Public Health Issue
Did you know that something like one in five adults suffers from some kind of mental health condition? Social media started coming to the forefront of our society in the early 2000s with sites like MySpace and Facebook, and has grown ever since; ironically enough, so has the depression rate worldwide. Coincidence? Maybe.
It's definitely true that social media has created a new world for young people, but it's hardly fair to say that it's to blame for even a large percentage of mental illness without further research into the subject.
Whether social media is a factor in the rise of mental illnesses in our society or not, we can all do our part to affect change in this area of health. Mental health is just as important as physical health, and the two are intertwined; one affects the other. If using social media seems likes it's making you feel withdrawn, inadequate, or lonely, take a short break from your profiles. There's nothing wrong with taking a break until you feel like yourself again, and you might discover something about yourself you otherwise wouldn't have known.
