Research Paper on Relationship between Social Media and Mental Health

Mental health has been a concern to caregivers throughout medical history, but since the early 2000s, their necessity has been on the rise. Scientists have been confused about the reasoning behind this, but some studies may indicate that social media may take the blame. Increased rates of mood disorders, substance abuse, and suicidal events may be related to the rise of social media. Studies have shown that out of adolescents who use smartphones more than five hours daily, approximately 48% of those have suicidal thoughts or depressive disorders. (Heid, 2017) The overall purpose of social media is to provide an online space where people can communicate with others. While this may seem beneficial to youth, it also has its downfalls. Many people use these platforms to harass others, post insensitive content that may trigger viewers, influence teenagers to dwell over body image or lifestyle choices and present potentially harmful information. During adolescence, a child's behavior is easily influenced by those they may see as 'role models.' The presence of social media and the variety of content can complicate a child's understanding of right and wrong while taking a toll on their mental health. Can these platforms be seen as a plague to a child's mind? 

Influence plays a large part in the world of social media, but also the moderation of suicide in adolescents. When celebrity suicides receive attention on headlines of websites or newspapers, it could become a risk factor for more suicides. For example, when Marilyn Monroe ended her life, suicide rates increased by over 40% in the following months. (Ortiz, 2018) Suicide contagion, a term used to describe this effect, is defined as the process in which one suicide becomes a model for other suicides, resulting in "cluster suicides" (Ortiz, 2018). Suicide may not have to be a celebrity to result in other suicidal events depending on public attention. If a high-school student commits suicide in a more rural area, other students might as well, resulting in a 'suicide cluster.' "'Suicide cluster' will refer to a larger-than-expected number of suicides, or attempted suicides, occurring more closely in time and geographical proximity." (Ortiz, 2018, pg. 245-256) Since media can easily influence a developing child's mind, exposure relating to the suicides of peers could alter their viewpoint on the topic, potentially "romanticizing" suicide to viewers.  

Social media platforms like Snapchat and Instagram are known for their picture-based content, followed by short captions. For maturing children, this poses a threat to their confidence, especially to young women. "... these mental health concerns are more prevalent among females than males, and females report being larger consumers of social media than males." (Fardouly, 2020, pg. 1304-1326) Many teenage girls identify body-image insecurity as a significant factor in their depression, possibly resulting in eating disorders and body image-oriented disorders. Nina Langton, a teenager who survived her suicide attempt, told TIME Magazine, "I was spending a lot of time stalking models on Instagram, and I worried a lot about how I looked." (Heid, 2017, pg. 42-46) Preteens already struggling with weight issues may find shame viewing images of models posted on social media. Every teenage girl is worried about being the 'perfect person,' which involves having the perfect body. With unrealistic beauty standards displayed on all platforms, it will damage the mental health of those girls, resulting in depression. 

Cyberbullying is one of the most discussed topics relating to social media that can cause depression in adolescents. Of course, gossiping is nothing new, but social media platforms provide the perfect opportunity to harass others because there isn't that face-to-face confrontation (Heid, 2017). Teenagers can hide behind a screen while insulting those they feel are inferior. "For one thing, that brain is incredibly plastic and able to adapt ... in response to novel activities or environmental cues." (Heid, 2017, pg. 42-46) This quick adaptation means that if a preteen received hateful words, they would adapt their personality around those statements. The teen would spend the rest of their adolescence dwelling over the flaws someone pointed out years ago. The jealousy and hatefulness a teenager expresses when upset ruins lives. 

Although social media platforms have their content filters, sometimes users can find ways to let their posts slip through the cracks. On these apps, mostly YouTube, users post inappropriate videos containing murder, pornographic material, suicide, and other subjects that can trigger viewers. While some audiences may handle that content, YouTube may recommend those videos to children who are not mature enough to view them. On the social media app TikTok, some creators post videos that introduce false information and may mislead viewers, causing anxiety attacks and moments of derealization. A more common example of derealization among adolescents is the belief that things surrounding them or themselves are not real. Like murder or suicide, gruesome content can traumatize a child, causing nightmares, panic disorders, or even post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Viewing this type of content at such a young and impressionable age can alter the personality and mental health of those viewing it. 

However, social media does display some benefits to today's youth. There are many online support groups for different cultures, sexualities, trauma survivors, and religious groups. Out of state family members and friends can still keep in touch with each other, and teenagers can learn more about their favorite topics. While the internet may have its cons, the amount of information available at the hands of those who wonder can unlock a whole new world of knowledge. This may be true, but the amount of uncensored information for viewers is also extensive. Some people may join support groups to harass those involved, and posting pictures of family and friends could even result in someone stalking them. Every element of social media has its pros, but the cons are always following right behind them. 

Today's youth has more access to technology than any generation before, which will continue throughout time. These children's parents and guardians need to know the potential risks of exposing their children to social media. The threats of the internet and others on it can impact a child's mental state. Whether it is for better or worse depends on the situation. The children with access to the internet also need to know about these risks and learn ways to avoid them. There need to be limitations on the amount of time spent on the internet, especially social media platforms. Children need to learn from an early age that everyone has one thing in common: they are unique from every other person.