Blog #2- How social media influences mental health and self-perception

The three research steps are:

How does the frequency and type of social media use impact levels of anxiety, depression, or loneliness in individuals across different age groups?
By examining the correlation between social media use and mental health symptoms across various age groups, this information will reveal how different patterns of engagement may either exacerbate or mitigate mental health struggles, offering insight into potential interventions.

What is the relationship between social media engagement (e.g., likes, comments, and shares) and individuals’ self-esteem and body image perception?
Investigating how social media interactions (e.g., likes, and comments) affect self-esteem and body image perception will highlight how external validation or lack thereof influences self-worth. This can help address whether certain social media features contribute to positive or negative self-perception.

How do the use of filters and photo editing on social media platforms contribute to unrealistic beauty standards and the development of body dysmorphia, particularly in adolescents?
Exploring the role of filters and photo editing in creating unattainable beauty standards will clarify the psychological impacts of comparing oneself to idealized images, especially for vulnerable groups like adolescents. This could guide efforts to promote healthier social media practices.

Here are five valid sources I can use to address the question:

https://www.clinicbarcelona.org/en/news/the-influence-of-social-networks-on-the-perception-of-the-body-and-mental-health#:~:text=Constant%20exposure%20to%20seemingly%20perfect,symptoms%20of%20depression%20and%20anxiety.

https://www.mcleanhospital.org/essential/it-or-not-social-medias-affecting-your-mental-health

https://psychcentral.com/blog/how-social-media-affects-our-self-perception#

https://www.fau.edu/thrive/students/thrive-thursdays/ourselfimage/index.php

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7562923

Understanding how social media affects mental health can help individuals in my community become more aware of the potential risks, such as increased anxiety, depression, or feelings of inadequacy. This knowledge can lead to better mental health practices and encourage people to recognize and address issues earlier. Communities can benefit from promoting healthier, more conscious social media usage. By understanding how certain behaviours, such as overuse, comparison, or seeking validation, negatively impact self-perception, people can be encouraged to develop better online habits, like limiting screen time or focusing on more positive interactions. Groups like adolescents or people struggling with low self-esteem may be more susceptible to social media’s negative effects. By addressing this question, communities can advocate for protective measures, such as mental health education, resources for those struggling, or campaigns against unrealistic beauty standards, fostering a more supportive environment. As more people become aware of how social media affects mental health and self-perception, they may become more empathetic toward others who struggle with these issues. This can lead to stronger community support systems, open conversations, and shared efforts to create healthier digital spaces.

Thank you for reading.