Reflections on Social Media and Mental Health
It is perhaps not surprising that somewhere around thee quarters of the adult and teen populations are active, daily users and consumers of social media. It is also not surprising that the number of times social media is used daily has increased as there has been a proliferation of social media platforms. The title of the Common Sense Media article includes “Social Media, Social Life” (Social Media, Social Life). I find this to be an apt inclusion because social media usage has, in many ways, been substituted in for following the “in crowd.” If you do not follow the “in crowd,” in this case use social media in some manner or another, you could very well be considered an outsider and have a smaller social network. Considering this, it is no wonder that research has emerged to show that social media usage is beneficial for mental health in some populations, in particular those of low socio-emotional well-being (Social Media, Social Life).
This finding contradicts the popular belief that social media is only responsible for increases in mental illness symptoms such as increased anxiety and depression. While it may be partially true, this demonization of social media must be reconsidered and the correlation between mental health symptoms and social media usage. While the correlation does exist, I believe that we should consider flipping the script, as it were. Instead of social media usage being the cause of symptoms in this population, it may be the case that social media usage is the effect of them.
There are many and various reasons that people use social media but the common denominator is connection. Taking the premise that increased mental illness symptoms lead to an increase in social media usage we can view this increase as a “safe” way for those living with mental illness to reach out and connect and interact with others. The most prevalent symptoms/feelings of mental illness include pervasive feelings of a lack of control, lack of safety and isolation. The first two of those feelings make connecting with the “real world” increasingly difficult leading to a greater sense of isolation. Life can feel to painful to live in a “normal” manner. This is compounded by feelings of shame, of loneliness, of stigma, judgement and bias are all valid reasons for seeking community and connection online.
Consider also that it could be easier for those experiencing symptoms to consume connection, interactions and information in small, sometimes visual, controllable bits such as those found on Twitter, Snapchat and Instagram. Longer exposure to stimulation such as reading books, watching TV, listening to music, participating in social settings can be overwhelming and lead to thoughts like “it’s just too much,” “I can’t handle this,” “I’m too stupid.” In short, living is daunting because increases in thoughts such as these cause frustration with anxiety, with lack of focus, concentration, memory and comprehension.
If an aggravation of mental illness symptoms is a result of lowered self esteem and sense of self worth because of feelings of inadequacy and frustration resulting from overstimulation and/or lowered comprehension of information, the opposite could also be posited. Feelings of competence, and what mental health experts call mastery, can be built through the understanding, absorption and retention of even small amounts of information. Being able to feel in control of any part of the lived environment is important to being able to self validate.
Validation while dealing with symptoms is crucial to maintaining some sense of well-being. This is another area that social media can play an important role in reducing and controlling mental illness: being able to connect with others through group chats, forums and private messages while online. Finding supportive and validating communities and friends, whether specifically mental illness related or through some other interest, like gaming communities, can ease feelings of isolation, loneliness, self-doubt and anxiety.
“The feeling of community, friendship and family are real and not confined to a virtual setting. They have a real life impact” (Henke, 2020). This sentiment was described to me by Bruno Lopez, a friend that I brother from an MMO I play, when I interviewed him for a research paper. “[He] explained this feeling of friendships as “bonds that allow me to count problems, happiness and share victories, both personal and in game,” and of the family that he’s gained … as “relatives who live far away, but whenever I need them, they’re willing to help” (Henke, 2020) This quote is indicative of what can be considered found family or family of choice. When I speak of found family I mean that person/group of people that we lean on, that we confide in, that we share our most important experiences with. Having that support structure, whether online or in real life is an important factor in mental wellness.
All of this comes with the caveat that social media ought to be be used in moderation and with mindfulness. As Pema Chodron wrote in her book “When Things Fall Apart: Heart Advice for Difficult Times:” “Perhaps there is no solid obstacle except our need to protect ourselves from being touched. Nothing ever goes away until it teaches us what we need to know” (1996). Utilizing social media, those living with mental illness can find meaning and connection online until they have learned what they need to and are ready to disconnect and reconnect.
Sources:
Chödrön, Pema. When Things Fall Apart: Heart Advice for Difficult Times. Thorsons Classics, 2017.
Henke, Margaret. The Game is Just the Gathering Place. 2020. University of Minnesota.
“Social Media, Social Life: Teens Reveal Their Experiences, 2018: Common Sense Media.” Common Sense Media: Ratings, Reviews, and Advice, 10 Sept. 2018, www.commonsensemedia.org/research/social-media-social-life-2018.
