More than just a positive mood, happiness is a state of contentment allowing for a good life filled with purpose. Being happy has its health perks. Those who live a happier life tend to have better immune and cardiovascular systems, lower inflammation levels, and lower blood pressure. It has also been linked to longevity and a higher quality of life and well-being. Happiness is a global pursuit, meaning that people from every corner of the earth strive to attain the ideal state of living. However, in recent years social media has taken over the world. It may seem like a beneficial way to connect with others, but it could be affecting the lives of users for the worse. Social media’s negative impacts on happiness and one’s relationship with themself outweigh the positives. By closely examining the positive and negative effects of social media on mental health and survey results, one can better understand the effects social media has on happiness.
Years of extensive research and studies have shown the negative effects of social media on mental health. For example, it has been found that extensive social media use can lead to suicidal thoughts, loneliness, decreased empathy, and social anxiety. The American Association of Suicidology comments on this issue by explaining, “…we do know that social media—in all forms—can have a significant impact on mental health, especially for young people.” Young and old people alike are prone to social comparison. Social media heightens this action.
A theory called the Happiness Paradox makes it appear as though an individual appears less happy than social media influencers and other popular people. The Happiness Paradox goes hand in hand with the Friendship Paradox, which creates the effect that friends and family are more popular than an individual. Both ideas present the risk of an injurious effect on one’s mental health. This confirms the statement that the more time one spends on social media, the less happy one tends to be.
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Yet another negative aspect of social media is vaguebooking, a method of creating posts that contain little actual and clear information. These posts are often worded to solicit attention and concern, and may be considered “a cry for help.” The messages behind the posts, and the posts themselves, can serve as a severe indication of mental health issues relating to social media. Going along with the lack of clarity is the spread of rumors and false information. This can lead to stress and sometimes the deterioration of offline relationships. The results of one study show that 31% of teens have fought with a friend because of something that happened on social media.
These fights could quite possibly have been related to the posting of false information. Adolescents who are heavy users of social media may struggle with relationship failure in the future. These individuals often lack real-life conflict resolution skills because their entire life revolves around what occurs online rather than in real life. One of the last, but one of the most alarming effects of social media relates to the brain itself. Heavy social media use is correlated with personality and brain disorders, which are associated with significantly increased levels of anxiety and depression. Although the negatives are overwhelming, one must also consider the positive effects of social networking.
Some of the most repeated claims regarding social media may be misplaced. For example, many of the negative effects that come with social media use do not occur until it has been used for too long. These negatives could also be avoided depending on how an individual actually uses their social media platforms. For example, if one engages in vaguebooking, or is constantly comparing themselves to others, the chances of that individual experiencing unhappiness are increased. On the other hand, if a person only uses their social media accounts for business purposes, they will be less likely to experience the negative effects of social media use.
Using social media in a beneficial way can bring about momentary happiness. It presents an opportunity for authentic self-presentation, which is associated with positive well-being. Social media is also the world’s fastest method of spreading news. In fact, 78.5% of news reporters checked forms of social media for breaking news before anything else. Unlike previous presidents, Donald Trump regularly uses social media, specifically Twitter, to send out informational messages. In doing this, he has faced great amounts of backlash. However, Trump makes a good point in saying that Twitter is immediate and that press conferences and press releases take too long to get information to the public.
Another positive aspect of social media is that it allows people to make new friends, by communicating and interacting with people they might not have before. It also allows for people to improve and maintain existing relationships with family and friends. Of all Facebook users, 93% use the platform to connect with family members, and 74% of teens who use social media use it to communicate with their friends. These teens report that it makes them feel more connected to people in their lives and makes them feel better supported in tough times.
Along with extroverts, who are easily able to engage in social relationships, social media provides a gateway for communication for introverted individuals who are usually unlikely to converse with others. Recently, there has been a multitude of campaigns surrounding mental health. The Sticks and Stones campaign, for example, uses Twitter to do just this: destroy the stigma surrounding mental health. Blogs and other sites allow people to be open about their lives and their opinions, which can also lead to the breakdown of social stigmas. The positives may be compelling, but the study is ongoing, which could lead to the discovery of even more negatives.
The benefits of living a happy life are those that each person should strive to achieve. Those trying to satisfy their social needs by looking for happiness online may need to turn their focus elsewhere. When considering the positives and negatives, it is obvious that social media’s negative impacts on happiness and one’s relationship with themself outweigh the positives. The best option for one struggling with any of the negative effects that social media provides is to take a step back, reduce the time spent on social media, and to focus on the world around them.
