Ignoring the physical world to focus on social media interacting with people you have never met physically increases the feeling of loneliness. Researchers have proven that social is one of the main causes of loneliness because you spend a lot of time trying to look for contacts to interact with and therefore replacing the urge to meet friends one on one for online posts. Psychiatrists say that teens who spend about three hours in social networks are at risk of mental health issues that include loneliness and depression. This can make it worse if they had a negative experience on these platforms. When an individual does not interact face to face, they are at risk of not developing feelings of connection thus isolating themselves.
How Social Media Causes Loneliness
Sitting down for most of the hours interacting on social media causes you to assume the physical world. This has also affected adults who overuse social media in an unhealthy way. The following are some of the negative effects of social media.
- Suicide: Suicide cases have in recent years risen and corelates with social media use. In recent research, there is so much pressure especially in teens getting obsessed with boosting their online appearance with posts.
- Low self-esteem: Teens struggle with self-esteem as they seek for a place in the society and social media has the ability to improve or deteriorate and individuals’ self-esteem. Seeing parties and events you were not invited to also lowers your self-esteem.
- Depression: Professionals relate most depression cases with the use of social media among youths and teens in the affected area. Lack of face-to-face interactions can hinder kids from developing empathy and social connections which makes them feel lonely.
- Reduced productivity: Depression as a result of social media can cause reduced productivity as portrayed by adults at work and while at home. In teenagers, it is portrayed in schools through poor performance, at home and at work if by chance they have jobs.
How to avoid feeling lonely on social media
There are a few tips recommended in order to stop comparing yourself to other people on social media.
- Minimize the time you spend online: Cutting a few hours from your screen will help you grow your mind frame because it will minimize the time you had for comparing yourself and get rid of the negative mindset. Take a break from social media incase you’re feeling lonely or you are developing negative mindset.
- Follow inspiring pages and people: Following organizations that promote healthy living and well-being is another way of curbing loneliness. Following many people is not beneficial, you just need to follow important organizations that are working towards promoting positivity.
- Try connecting with people in person: social media is a good way of interacting but it is not the only available option. Interacting with people one on one enables you to translate their body language and emotions thus, comparing yourself less and developing empathy.
- Post positive thoughts: Posting your positive thought exempts you from cyber bullying and helps you become more constructive. The idea is not to boast about your lifestyle but creating a safe and positive space for you and your friends. You can choose to share a skill that you are learning or other things that can connect you to other people.
- Unfollow people: If you feel that a certain person’s post is making you feel uncomfortable, then you can unfollow them. Prioritize your mental health over your social media friends or family. Set boundaries of who you interact with and what you see for the sake of your well-being.
- Set your phone aside during bedtime: Scrolling through your phone before bedtime can leave you with negative thoughts that disrupt your sleep at night. These moods keep you awake and can affect your happiness negatively. Therefore, it is advisable to stop scrolling through your phone before bedtime.
Conclusion
We can conclude that social media causes loneliness especially to teenager and a small number of adults. Your mental health is very important and activities such as, exercising, getting enough sleep, improving your diet and boosting your mood can contribute positively to your health. Be careful on how you use social media and identify how it affects your mental health. The time you use on social media can be used to develop skills and hobbies, doing charity, taking part in a community project or finishing your academics. Visiting a friend, taking a nature walk, photography and reading motivational books are also among other healthier options you can go for.
FAQs
1. Is social media one of the main reasons for loneliness?
Yes. This is because people have given in to social media and they spend more time there thus, reducing their interaction time. They not only do not have time to interact with family but also meeting new people and make friends and maybe potential spouses. Limiting social media usage, there is room for interaction and positive talks, thus reducing loneliness.
2. How does social media cause low self-esteem?
Comparing your social life to other people on social media lowers your esteem. For instance, if you start comparing your lifestyle with someone else you might end up hating the life you live and lowering your self-esteem and high social anxiety.
3. How does social media affect people in relationships?
Social media impacts relationships negatively by being a distraction to either party. They focus on social media and posting instead of having healthy conversations to empower their home. Excessive use of social media leads to mental health issues to either of them.
4. What are the disadvantages and advantages of social media?
The advantages of social media are: it allows you to make new friends and reconnect with distant family members, advertising and marketing your brand and writing blogs to express your emotions in a peaceful way. The disadvantages are: cyberbullying, people can access your private information, posting inappropriate pictures and creating blogs that paint a bad image on other people.