The term "Social Media Depression" came into existence through the advent of technology and in particular, social networking platforms such as Facebook and Instagram. The severity of the negative impact social media platform has and will continue to have on its user cannot be over emphasized.
Social media platform are interactive internet based applications born out of technology with an objective to facilitate communication through the creation and sharing of information of interest. Content which is the lifeblood of social network platform are usually in text, photos and videos. These contents generated by users of these platforms are suddenly becoming a subject of huge concern to the mental and psychological state of the people who use and interact on them.
Statistical estimation shows that teenagers and youths falls within the bracket of users that suffers more from social media depression. Symptoms of this depressive conditions is caused by excessive time expended on social media. Teenagers are more susceptible to becoming victims as a result of their inability to subject themselves to self discipline and control how much time they spend on this platform.
Despite rules set in motion to curb the use of social media by under ages in some countries such as United kingdom, reports still proves that the situation is still prevalent as more teenagers still have account and access social media networks. London School of economics released a report which shows that 43% of 9 to 12 year olds own an account on a social network platform. The alarming nature of this phenomenon is that the number isn't declining rather it is increasing on a daily basis.
Report from an American survey in 2015 indicate that 71% of teenagers have a Facebook account. While over 60% of 13 - 17 yrs have at least one profile on social network platform and it is estimated that many of these young people spend minimum of 2 hours a day on this social media application. It is no secret that social media platform has the highest traction of internet users and people visit social network sites more than every other sites.
Young people might be easily caught in the horrible net of social media depression but it does in any exempt older people. Older people might just have the emotional capacity to handle and control how the usage of social network platform affect their lives. Yet, it is pertinent to state that everyone is susceptible to suffering from one or more of the various negative effects of using social platforms.
One of the major cause of social media depression is the constant comparison of oneself to others most especially friends on social media. As a person scrolls down other people's feed or post, it is very likely to glide into self judgement of how their life measures up against others and the person either feel better or worse. This comparison may impact someone's mental state negatively and result in having ill feeling of inadequacy towards him or herself. This negative feeling may be worse-off if the comparison of life is triggered while staring at celebrities or superstars whose life is known to be appear so charming and stylish than theirs.
It is indisputably true for everyone who constantly engage in social media comparison to glide into envy and jealousy towards others. A self induced feeling of envy can be triggered at the sight of the glamorous lifestyle put up by others on social networks and it is very unhealthy for the person and for society at large. Several crimes perpetrated by people can sometimes be linked to the unhealthy craving stirred up through the desire for material things and lifestyle displayed by others on social media platforms.
Reports have shown that Facebook, Instagram and Snapchat top the list of the worst social media app with higher negative impact on the mental state of health of its users. These platforms are most visited by people and the rate of social media depression caused by them is indeed alarming. Other negative effect resulting from the use of these social media platform are anxiety, inferiority complex, cyberbullying and emotional instability. These problems tend to exacerbate depending on the number of hours spent on these platforms.
SOLUTION TO SOCIAL MEDIA DEPRESSION
Limit time spent
Curbing the negativity from social media can be greatly achieved by reducing the hours and time spent on them. Cutting down time will be most effective when it is substituted for something else that would add value to you. Life abhors vacuum and something must fill the space. The space of time you have successfully cut from social media interaction must be channelled towards other activity that will be beneficial to your life. This is usually not an easy step as it is well known that people who are used to spending more time social media are susceptible to becoming addicted and eliminating addiction requires a great deal of work and self discipline.
Be contented
Having a great sense of contentment with your life and developing self love irrespective of what is going on in the lives of others is an effective means of eliminating social media depressions. Acknowledging that time and chance happens to everyone would help to love your current self and also enjoy your life to the fullest because even happiness cannot be bought. Happiness is a choice you and only have to make and you owe yourself a duty to be happy regardless of how other people's life looks compared to yours. It is funny to know that even those who display all of the glamour and charming material things of life cry and weep for specific things in the corner of their room but often time, you never know as they have everything carefully and perfectly laid out on the walls of their social media pages.
Join STEEMIT
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A social network that pays and put sweet dollars in your wallet for your engagement and interactions. You are sure to get rid of all the depression suffered on other platforms. Don't fret! It is easy and free to join this wonderful community of brainy people and you will joining the best side of the internet. The mantra is simple POST, ENGAGE AND EARN!
