IMPACT OF SOCIAL MEDIA ON MENTAL HEALTH

IMPACT OF SOCIAL MEDIA ON MENTAL HEALTH

SAKSHI PATIL, SHRESHT SETTY, TANAY BHUTIA, S.N.K NANDANA

INTRODUCTION

With billions of users using numerous platforms daily to interact with others, share their opinions, and obtain news and entertainment, social media has become an essential part of our lives. Social media can facilitate communication and encourage community engagement, among other things, but it can also have detrimental impacts on mental health.

According to research, using social media excessively might increase emotions of loneliness, despair, and anxiety. Increased stress and feelings of inadequacy can result from constantly comparing oneself to others and feeling forced to present a particular image or identity online. Furthermore, being exposed to internet harassment and bullying can lead to severe psychological suffering.

It is crucial to remember that social media use and relationships with it depend on the individual and are not necessarily "good" or "bad" for mental health. People can lessen the damaging effects social media can have on their mental health by using social media with awareness and by getting support when they need it.