Is it worth the risk?

Who would think that a quick scroll through your newsfeed could be harmful to your long term wellbeing?

I understand the appeal that comes with being “in the social circle” with social media. On the surface it means an up to date, in the loop, convenient, and instantaneous lifestyle. But are we sacrificing our mental health for these benefits?

The graphic above acquired from the Hay Group Insight Team, highlights the way millennials perceive social media. What can be gathered is that most people do feel social media is already distracting, and the scary thing is that it’s only getting easier to use with advancements being made in the field.

The popularity of messaging platforms continues to rise as time moves forward. Meaning a higher number of individuals are becoming accustomed to unhealthy levels of exposure and reliance on their beloved apps. The popularity of social media is further influenced through the innovation of smartphone apps. “Using your phone”, a simple phrase which doesn’t quite have the same meaning as it used to. Younger generations refer to this as the multi-tasking of messaging and social networking apps on their smartphones. Constantly switching from one app to another, this ability only makes it easier for individuals to consumer their share of social media. Is it getting out of hand?

The chart above highlights that a whopping 96% of people worldwide spend at least one hour or more on their smartphones. I was curious to see whether the younger generation was aware of this. In an interview conducted with UBC Undergraduate Students, most students answered yes or, “I need to start doing so” when asked the question, “Do you find yourself regulating the amount you use social media?”. In the same interview, individuals revealed that social media was extremely useful for “making connections” and “communicating with friends”. Both extremely fair points which I can attest to. What I can also attest to, is that social media’s growth can be accredited to the innovations made in the field of smartphones. In recent years, the access to information and the speed at which it’s granted has sky-rocketed. It has become a useful tool which they’ve chosen to take advantage of, and the question is whether or not it can have a negative impact.

Most students agreed that a balanced use of social media was the best way to go about it. What scares me, is that the interview subjects feel they do “get addicted” to social media in times when focus is required. My Journalism Professor, Saranaz Barforoush often reminds students during the lecture to provide the speakers with attention and to “ please get off phones or social media sites”. I feel that the younger generations relationship to social media use is something our society must address, as the risk for mental illness is definitely present.

According to an article published by the BBC, in a study conducted by Kuss and Griffiths from Trent University, it was concluded that “social media addiction is a mental health problem that may require professional treatment.”

In the study it was found that the addiction was more prevalent amongst individuals who had an addiction to alcohol, were severely extroverted, and those who utilized the platform to make up for a lack of real world experiences. This alone warrants more attention to be drawn to the issue, as social media only inhibits more addictive behaviour. In an article by The Week, a study conducted by the University of Missouri revealed, “that regularly using Facebook could lead to symptoms of depression if the site triggered feelings of envy in the user”. The article also suggests that this trend may have a lasting impact on younger generations due to the popularity of Instagram and Snapchat within the age group.

Meaning that as this platform grows in society, we must ensure it’s utilized under responsible circumstances. In a podcast I conducted, I spoke to Dave Griffiths an individual who I viewed as somewhat of a father figure for his stance on the issue.

His outlook confirms my stance that social media can be a highly effective medium for productivity, but should be used responsibly due to the addictive risk which it represents. Along with the addictive risk, those especially with mental health issues should avoid unhealthy use to cope with such issues.

Sources:

“Social Media Competition in 2017.” Ganvwale, 7 Oct. 2017, ganvwale.com/social-media-competition-2017/.

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