Social media platforms are designed to snare your attention, keep you online, and have you repeatedly checking your screen for updates.
But, much like a gambling compulsion or an addiction to nicotine, alcohol, or drugs, social media use can create psychological and mental health problems.
There’s little research to establish the long-term consequences, good or bad, of social media use. However, multiple studies have found a strong link between heavy social media and an increased risk for depression, anxiety, loneliness, self-harm, and even suicidal thoughts.
With many people spending time at home in isolation, screen time has increased. More celebrities and influencers are now partnering with brands and dominating social feeds selling products. Should you be following such people?
Professor Renata Schoeman, a member of the South African Society of Psychiatrists, said there is a positive to following such people on social media.
“There is evidence in the literature that supports the need for both negative and positive role models in our lives, which can be available on social media. An advantage can be helping people build resilience. Positive role models refer to people who you aspire to be. With how they interact with people and how they live their lives. Negative role models may refer to people who don’t treat people the way you want to treat them. Or you don’t want to struggle like they do or behave a certain way.”
However, if you only follow people with...
Read Full Story: https://www.iol.co.za/lifestyle/health/mind/how-hours-spent-on-social-media-can-affect-your-mental-health-cc101e33-b59e-42c4-b386-165e0d4747c2
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