The most common issues associated with college students mental health and social media use is
depression, anxiety, low self-esteem, body image, sleeping problems, social isolation, and emotional difficulties
.
However, multiple studies have found a strong link between heavy social media and an increased risk for depression, anxiety, loneliness, self-harm, and even suicidal thoughts. Social media may promote negative experiences such as:
Inadequacy about your life or appearance
.
Social media plays an important role in every student’s life. It is
often easier and more convenient to access information
, provide information and communicate via social media. Tutors and students can be connected to each other and can make good use of these platforms for the benefit of their learning and teaching.
“Too much passive use of social media – just browsing posts –
can be unhealthy
and has been linked to feelings of envy, inadequacy and less satisfaction with life. Studies have even suggested that it can lead to ADHD symptoms, depression, anxiety and sleep deprivation. ”
Too much use of social media can have adverse effects on students’ minds, and they may also be
exposed to bad posture, eye strain, and physical and mental stress
.
Too much use of Social Media
can have adverse effects on students
‘ minds and they may also be exposed to bad posture, eye strain, physical and mental stress.
The negative effects of social media on the mental health of college students. … There are common issues associated with the mental health of college students and social media. Some of these issues are low self-esteem, depression, body image, emotional difficulties, anxiety,
social isolation
, and sleeping problems.
One of the dangers of excessive social media use is the effect that it can have on
students’ GPAs and work ethic
. In fact, a survey of 117 American students found that higher internet usage was negatively correlated with work drive, consequently resulting in lower grades.
While there is research that suggests there are positives to social media use there is also plenty of research that ironically suggests that too much interaction with this technology, designed to help us to connect can actually
increase feelings of isolation and loneliness and exacerbate mental health issues
such as …
- Learn new digital literacy skills.
- Improve knowledge retention & understanding.
- Increase class participation and motivate students.
- Build community; connect students to each and the global community.
- Become an effective member of an online community.
For many, social media appears to have a range of benefits. It
provides a way for many of us to connect with others
. We can support other people and feel supported by them. It may even be a useful way for those with social anxiety and those who have a hard time with face-to-face interactions to connect with others.
- Build relationships. Social media is not just about brands connecting with their customers. …
- Share your expertise. Social media gives you an opportunity to talk about what you know and what you want to be known for. …
- Increase your visibility. …
- Educate yourself. …
- Connect anytime.
- Online vs Reality. Social media itself is not the problem. …
- Increased usage. The more time spent on social media can lead to cyberbullying, social anxiety, depression, and exposure to content that is not age appropriate.
- Social Media is addicting. …
- Fear of Missing Out. …
- Self-image issues.
Young people spend a lot of time on social media. They’re also
more susceptible to peer pressure
, low self-esteem and mental ill-health. A number of studies have found associations between increased social media use and depression, anxiety, sleep problems, eating concerns, and suicide risk.
64% of Americans say social media have a
mostly negative effect
on the way things are going in the U.S. today. … Just one-in-ten Americans say social media sites have a mostly positive effect on the way things are going, and one-quarter say these platforms have a neither positive nor negative effect.
Hackers
love social networking, going right to the source to interject malicious code. The codes hackers use can steal your identity, inject viruses to your computer, and obstruct bank account information, to name a few. Shortened URLs, such as those created on bit.ly, are especially susceptible to hackers.