Blog Post #5: Research Round 3

Hey everyone! Today I am closing in on my research for my final research project! I will be gathering a few more facts and making my own conclusions on my three sub topics.

1. Depression and Anxiety

As we have learned from my last two research rounds, depression and anxiety takes a huge toll on our mental health, especially when linked to social media. Depression and anxiety can lead to further things such as suicide and self harm. Seeing other people’s photo’s and their “amazing and perfect” lives lead us to come down on ourselves, spend more time inside doing things that might harm us, and filling ourselves with dopamine. The depression rate in young children in the US is inclining as quickly as social media in young children (1). Many people feel anxious before hitting the post button because they’re worried about what other people will think about them, and the post (1). In my opinion, this is a feeling most people, including myself feel when I would like to share something. Whether its me being excited to share something I am passionate about like a new Taylor Swift album! In my mind I wonder will people think I am weird for liking this artist? Even something that I love can be over complicated through the bizarre “standards” of social media.

2.  Cyber Bullying

The smallest thing, just even making a comment you think is funny, can have a negative impact on a person. Cyberbullying can happen through social media and messaging apps. A photo, a post, even a comment, is all considered cyberbullying. Your words and social media presence matters! Parents can monitor their child’s accounts, especially if their kids are a little less open with them (2). Checking your childs accounts can ensure your child is having a safe and pleasant social media experience (2). As a peer, you can make sure your friends are being safe on social media, and making sure they aren’t encountering negativity online. If you are experiencing cyberbullying, seek help from a trusted adult. Ways to possibly lessen the threat (3):

• Unfollow or mute accounts. Try unfollowing or muting accounts that annoy you, upset you, or take up too much of your time.
• Delete social media apps. Remember you don’t have to be on every social media platform
• Limit your time online

3. Self Esteem

Limiting your time online, or even removing yourself from social media has shows significant improvements in teen mental health. The feeling of clarity, and removal of constant worry, replicates the feeling of a weight being lifted of your chest. A study from 2019 conducted in England showed that people ages 13-16 have poor well-being by using social media more than 3 times a day (4). This study is just from 2019, imagine how much this number and age group has grown. Here are some related photos:

This photo shows the negative self-esteem factor of social media. One person receives all the likes and comments, while the other receives little. This is a prime example of what social media can do to a person.

I am so excited that I finally finished my research, and learned something new!

-Rhea :))

Sources:

1. https://pldlamplighter.org/features/2021/05/16/the-long-term-effects-of-social-media-on-teens/
2. https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/tween-and-teen-health/in-depth/teens-and-social-media-use/art-20474437
3. https://www.youngminds.org.uk/young-person/coping-with-life/social-media-and-mental-health/