August 16, 2021
Social media has become an integral part of daily life for many people, with more than 5 billion people worldwide now active on different platforms.
As social media's popularity continues to grow, so does its influence on various aspects of our lives, including our mental health.
In this article, we’ll discuss the rising concerns about the impact that social media can have on our mental wellbeing.
We’ll also examine some practical solutions for managing social media effectively in personal and professional settings and tools that you can turn to should social media be negatively affecting your mental health at work or in everyday life.
Waking up to the influences of social media
It’s estimated that the average person spends more than two hours on social media platforms every day.
The amount of time spent on social media apps may not be seen as a huge problem if people are genuinely finding enjoyment and connection from them.
However, an increasing number of people are reporting negative impacts on their mental health from excessive social media usage - prompting some people to start taking steps away from social platforms.
Before we discuss the benefits of moderating social media time and the techniques you can use to achieve this, let's first examine some of the negative effects social media can have.
Understanding the relationship between social media and mental health
It’s important to approach things with a balanced perspective, as social media can also have lots of positive mental health benefits, such as enhancing self-esteem and providing people with a sense of belonging.
But it can also lead to feelings of isolation and pressure to compete - so it’s really important to take note of how you’re feeling and manage your social usage appropriately if you're going to find life satisfaction.
Let’s take a look at some of the negative effects of social media to look out for.
Psychological effects of social media
Social media is filled with carefully selected (and sometimes filtered) images that often present an idealised version of reality.
When you’re scrolling through your feed, you’re being presented with a more positive reflection of people's lives, looks and achievements than is truly the case.
And if you were to compare yourself to these unrealistic standards, it’s possible to experience feelings of inadequacy and low self-esteem. For example, studies have actually found a strong correlation between social media use and negative body image, particularly among women.
Additionally, the always-on nature of social media can lead to feeling obligated and expected to be constantly available and responsive online.
This pressure to be immediately responsive can lead to feelings of overwhelm and stress.
For example, many believe that leaving people on “read” with a blue tick, and not immediately responding is a form of rudeness. The reality is that we all have busy lives, and it’s not always appropriate to respond to a message straight away.
Social effects of social media
While social media has made it easier than ever to connect with others, it's also changing the nature of our relationships and the development of our social skills.
There’s a lot of difference between typing a series of messages to someone and having an in-person conversation.
The ironic thing about social media is that it can potentially lead to you experiencing greater feelings of loneliness and isolation in real life - as spending more time engaging with people online can result in less time investing in face-to-face interactions and relationships and can reduce your confidence in social situations.
Additionally, social media can result in a dependency for validation through likes and comments. This can result in negative effects on your mental health, where you start to require positive feedback in real-world situations to feel valued and accepted.
If this spills over into the real world, it can lead to a distorted sense of self-worth and a heightened sensitivity to rejection or criticism.
So it’s important to be mindful of these effects and try to maintain a healthy balance between your online and offline interactions with people.
Behind the screen: the driving factors of social media's negative effects
There’s a reason why so many people find it hard to put their phones down and step away from social media.
Social platforms are meticulously engineered to keep you ‘hooked’ and maximise your engagement.
From advanced algorithms that serve you content that meets your interests and browsing behaviours, to infinite scroll layouts that encourage you to ‘keep scrolling,’ and the dopamine hit that occurs every time someone hits ‘like’ or ‘share’ on one of your posts - it’s all designed to keep you engaged.
It’s perhaps no surprise that so many people feel like they are addicted to social media.
But it’s possible to take back control.
Taking back control: strategies for healthier interaction with social media
While it's good to be aware of the negative effects that social media can have on our mental health, it's important to remember that we all have the power to take control of our digital lives.
It’s possible to have a positive relationship with social media by implementing practical tips and setting healthy boundaries.
One of the first steps to take back control is to be conscious of the time you spend on social media platforms. This is easy to do through the use of screen time tracking apps. Once you’re aware of the time you’re spending, you might choose to set timers to help you stay within healthy limits.
Another effective strategy to improve your experience with social media is to tailor and customise what appears in your feed. If there’s an account or contact whose content consistently triggers negative emotions or reactions, consider unfollowing or muting them. By making sure your feed is filled with content that inspires, educates, and entertains you, you’re in the best place to get the most out of social media.
It's also important to establish clear boundaries between your online and offline life so you can prioritise real-life connections and experiences. This might involve setting specific times of the day when you disconnect from social media or even undergoing a digital detox.
Corporate social responsibility: navigating the ethics of social media usage
With the widespread popularity of social media and its potential to impact the mental wellness of employees - it's important for businesses to implement ethical processes and employee mental health support to help manage social media usage at work.
The link between social media and mental health in the workplace
There are a variety of ways that social media can impact employee mental health in the workplace.
We discussed earlier how social media can present an unrealistic and idealised version of reality. The version of life that colleagues portray on social media can lead to a sense of heightened anxiety amongst employees, who may feel pressured to keep up with their peers. This can spill over into the workplace, and can lead to reductions in collaboration and productivity.
The 24/7 nature of social media can additionally contribute to a culture of overwork, where employees feel pressure to be constantly available and responsive to work-related messages . This "always-on" mentality can lead to burnout, as employees struggle to establish clear boundaries between their work and personal lives.
Establishing healthy social media practices at work
There are a variety of ways that businesses can take a proactive stance to try and reduce the potential negative effects of social media on their employees' mental health at work.
A positive first step is to encourage employees to set boundaries between their personal and professional social media presence and for everyone in the business to respect these boundaries.
By discouraging employees from discussing work-related topics on social media outside of working hours, businesses can demonstrate their commitment to employee privacy and well-being, which can help prevent stress, anxiety, and burnout.
It’s also fair to expect this to go the other way, with employees discouraged from using social media for personal reasons during the day - making sure they are free from distractions and fully focused on their work.
To take this idea to the next level, businesses might also consider arranging times where employees are encouraged to take time away from their screens and devices altogether and focus on face-to-face interactions with colleagues.
Companies can help employees develop more meaningful connections with their colleagues by creating a culture that values face-to-face interaction and collaboration.
But perhaps the most important aspect of helping employees navigate the negative effects of social media is providing a safe environment for them to openly discuss their concerns.
This might involve providing access to mental health resources, such as employee mental health support apps that include trained therapists who can reach out proactively to any employees showing signs of struggling with mental health at work.
Championing balanced digital living
Another area where businesses can help is by offering workshops or training programmes that provide employees with practical tools and strategies for managing their digital well-being.
These sessions might include topics like the importance of being mindful of how much time people spend on social media and recognising the signs of social media addiction.
Equipping employees with the knowledge and skills they need to navigate social media's challenges will put them in a better position to avoid any negative effects.
Integrating digital solutions for employee wellbeing
For businesses that are looking for solutions to help their employees manage their mental health, consider Thrive.
Thrive provides your employees with 24/7 access to mental health support via their smartphone. This includes tools to track their mood and how they are feeling and a wide range of CBT, meditation and self-suggestion tools to help them with their mental wellbeing.
By providing mental health support through an easily accessible online therapy solution like Thrive, you can help your team members build resilience, manage stress effectively, and overcome the negative effects of social media.
Get in touch today to find out more.
