01.12.2022 Written by Jeevanr Inbasagaran

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One of the greatest blessings humans have during this global pandemic is connectivity. It keeps us from falling into a dark void of loneliness and the conversations we are able to have via text, phone calls and video calls allow us to maintain relationships and persevere during these difficult times.

 

However, what if I told you that these same apps and social media are the source for the unhappiness that lingers and haunts teenagers today? In several studies, teenage and young adult users who spend the most time on platforms such as Instagram and Facebook were shown to have a higher rate of reported depression than those who spent the least time. Although the usage of these apps are not directly causing any mental health issues, they target our vulnerabilities as human beings by creating a fear of missing out (often referred to as ‘FOMO’), and superficial connections that weaken our social ability.

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The fear of missing out is something extremely present with social media usage that makes teens prioritize shallow social interactions. According to Jerry Bubrick, a clinical psychologist, “FOMO is really the fear of not being connected to our social world, and that need to feel connected sometimes trumps whatever’s going on in the actual situation we’re in.”

 

Seeing a multitude of people sharing the highlights of their lives on these platforms, teenagers believe that they are left out and gradually damage their mental health. Additionally, the lack of real, empathetic connections cause a lack of the benefits that are gained from a healthy social interaction. These superficial connections make people feel less connected directly leading to depression, anxiety and more mental health problems.

 

Overall, our vulnerabilities are amplified with social media usage and the best way to prevent these problems is to seek real connections, rather than prioritize empty interactions. Therefore, I encourage you all to spend some time off your devices and see the world in a greater light. 

 

Citations

Does social media use cause depression? Child Mind Institute. (2021, November 17). Retrieved January 15, 2022, from https://childmind.org/article/is-social-media-use-causing-depression/