Given the growing concern concerning the impact of social media on the mental health of teenagers, on June 17, 2024, US Surgeon General Vivek Murthy calls for warnings added to social media platforms, much like Health Ministry warnings on cigarettes and alcohol.
Murphy’s warning cites research showing that teens who use social media for greater than three hours a day double risk of mental health problems.
This comes a yr after Murphy issued a crucial public warning concerning the links between social media and the mental health of young people.
As a Specialist in eating disorders and anxietyI usually work with clients who’ve symptoms of eating disorders, self-esteem issues and anxiety in reference to social media.
Me too have first-hand experience with this topic: I recovered from an eating disorder 16 years ago and grew up as a teen in a time when people were starting to make use of social media on a big scale. In my view, the impact of social media on mental health, particularly on weight loss plan and exercise habits, can’t be mitigated simply with a warning label. However, it’s a crucial start line to boost awareness of the hazards of social media.
Relationships, associations and causal effects
Experts have long suspected that social media plays a task within the growing Mental health crisis amongst young peopleHowever, the Surgeon General’s warning in 2023 was considered one of the primary Government warnings supported by solid research.
Critics of the requirement for warning labels argue that they complicated matter and that restricting access to social media in any way would do more harm than good. Some advocates say it is a step in the precise direction and much less restrictive than trying to start out with more comprehensive privacy regulations.
And to date, measures are being demanded Regulation of social media has failed.
Researchers can only examine associations, which makes it difficult to determine causal relationships. However, there are many studies that show a link between media consumption and poor self-esteem. Body image and mental health.
In addition, there may be scientific data that demonstrates the effectiveness of warnings on prevent the consumption of gear equivalent to tobacco And alcohol.
However, the warning strategy was also applied to content about eating disorders and digitally altered images on the Internet. Mixed resultsThese studies showed that the warnings don’t reduce the negative influence of the media on body image. Some of the studies even found that the warnings Increase the comparison of body and appearancethat are considered to be the important explanation why social media can damage self-esteem.
Possible damage
Studies show that images of beauty as portrayed in movies, social media, television and magazines can result in mental illnessProblems with eating disorders and Dissatisfaction with one’s own body image.
Dissatisfaction with one’s own body is widespread amongst children and adolescents and was linked to reduced quality of life, worsened mood and unhealthy eating habits.
The mental health of adolescents and teenagers is declining within the last decadeand that The COVID-19 pandemic contributed to the deterioration of young people’s mental health and brought it into the highlight. In light of the growing mental health crisis, researchers A better have a look at the role of social media with these increasing mental health problems.
The benefits and downsides of social media
About 95% of kids and adolescents within the United States between the ages of 10 and 17 are uses social media almost continually. A study from 2023 found that teenagers spend about five hours a day on social media.
Studies have shown that Social media might be helpful to search out community supportHowever, studies have also shown that the usage of social media results in social comparisons, unrealistic expectations and negative effects on mental health.
In addition, those that Pre-existing illness spend more time on social media. People on this category usually tend to objectify oneself And internalize the perfect of the slim bodyWomen and People with existing concerns about their body image are more likely than others to feel worse about their bodies and themselves after spending time on social media.
A breeding ground for eating disorders?
A recent study concluded that the usage of social media, like mass media, is a risk factor for the event of an eating disorderBody image dissatisfaction and eating disorders. In this review, social media use was shown to contribute to negative self-esteem, social comparisons, reduced emotional regulation, and idealized self-presentation, which negatively impact body image.
Another study, the so-called Dove project for more self-esteempublished in April 2023, found that 9 out of 10 children and young people aged 10 to 17 are exposed to toxic beauty content on social media, and one in two say it has an impact on their mental health.
Researchers have also found that increasing time at home through the pandemic led to greater use of social media by young people and subsequently greater exposure to toxic social media content about body image and weight-reduction plan.
Although social media alone doesn’t cause eating disorders, social ideas about beautythat are reinforced by social media, can contribute to the event of eating disorders.
“Thinspo” and “Fitspo”
Toxic beauty ideals online include the normalization of cosmetic and surgical procedures, in addition to content that advocates and romanticizes eating disorders. For example, social media sites have promoted trends equivalent to “thinspo,” which focuses on the thinness ideal, and “fitspo,” which perpetuates the assumption in an ideal body that might be achieved with diets, supplements, and excessive exercise.
Studies have shown that Social media content encouraging “clean eating”” or following a weight loss plan based on pseudoscientific claims can result in compulsive behavior around food. These unsubstantiated “wellness” posts can result in weight fluctuations and yo-yo effectchronic stress, dissatisfaction with one’s own body and better likelihood of muscular and slim ideal internalization.
Some social media posts contain Pro-eating disorder contentthat directly or not directly promote eating disorders. Other posts promote the deliberate manipulation of 1's body and use hurtful quotes equivalent to “Nothing tastes as good as thin feels.” These posts provide a false sense of connection and permit users to bond over a typical goal of dropping pounds, changing their appearance, and maintaining eating disorders.
While young people can often recognize and understand toxic beauty advice affects their self-esteem, they could proceed to interact with that content. This is partly because friends, influencers and Social media algorithms Encourage people to follow certain accounts.
Telephone-free zones
Small steps at home to limit social media consumption can even make a difference. Parents and caregivers can Create phone-free times for the family. Examples include putting phones away while the family watches a movie together or during meals.
Adults can even help by modeling healthy behavior on social media and inspiring children and teenagers to focus to construct connections and take part in helpful activities.
Another helpful approach is mindful social media consumption. This involves recognizing how you are feeling when scrolling through social media. If spending time on social media is making you are feeling worse or appears to be causing mood swings in your child, it might be time to alter the way in which you or your child interact with social media.
image credit : theconversation.com