Why Social Media Is Good: Know How Your Mental Health Is Affected!

One of the most controversial things today has to be the use of social media.

In a world where the internet is present 24x7, going a day without being on it seems like an odd option. There are over four billion internet users around the world, and the number is increasing every day.

Apart from the tons of information available on the internet, one key component of it has to be the social media sites. With the increased availability of smartphones, being connected through social media is the new norm.

However, as more young people get onto the numerous platforms, society starts to wonder if social media use is of any good. In most cases, the talk is about the negative effects, especially on mental health.

Hence, we thought of giving a glimpse into the positive effects or benefits of social media, if there are any. So, keep reading to know why social media is good.

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Define Social Media And Who Invented It

Social media simply refers to social networking sites that allow users to create their content and also share it with others on a virtual platform. The first social media site is said to be Six Degrees, which was initiated by Andrew Weinreich as far back as 1997.

If you really think about it, social media is not really a new phenomenon if we take a virtual platform into context.

Some people even think that the discovery of the telegram might have been our first cue to social media, where people network without being in front of each other.

However, when we take into the modern thought process of the internet and social media, Six Degrees was the first-ever platform that allowed you to create a profile and make friends.

It was closely followed by the launch of Friendster in 2003, but that went downhill when the creators turned down a deal from Google.

Interestingly, LinkedIn came into existence before Gmail or Facebook even existed. Nevertheless, everything changed when Facebook entered the market in 2004, and after being on the market for so many years, the company is the owner of several social media sites, including Instagram.

Instagram and TikTok are currently the most popular social media sites among young people. What social media has made possible is that it has brought society closer and strengthened the idea of forming a global village.

Types Of Social Media

There are different types of social media sites, but they are mainly divided into six types.

The usual categories include social networking sites like Facebook, photo-sharing platforms like Instagram, short-video platforms like TikTok, microblogging platforms like Twitter, social discussion platforms like Reddit, bookmarking sites like Pinterest, audio-visual media sharing platforms like YouTube, and social blogging platforms like Medium or Tumblr.

As you might have guessed, an ongoing convergence is evident across almost all social media outlets. Hence, more companies want to jump on the bandwagon of getting into the market, and hence, there is no clear distinction between social media sites.

Moreover, some people even categorize messaging apps such as Facebook Messenger, WhatsApp, or WeChat as potential social media where you can stay connected with real-life friends and family members.

Social Media's Effect On Mental Health

One should understand that mental health difficulties can only arise when social media use is done in the wrong way.

Having said that, there are some mental health issues that need social awareness. The most crucial one is a distraction from education in the case of young minds.

If someone is browsing through social networks for hours, then it can affect their mental state. In some cases, it has led to ill effects like depression, anxiety, loneliness, and even thoughts of self-harm. Hence, social media is considered bad for teens.

Instagram was found to have one of the most negative reports. So, parents are urged to learn more about social media use to make their kids aware of situations when things go wrong.

Fear of missing out (FOMO) is also something many people are struggling with. At the same time, because social media is linked to misinformation and fake news, one needs to be very careful about what they read on these sites.

Another mental health issue seen on social networking sites is the presence of trolling among young people. When left unchecked, trolling can lead to negative effects. Including the right use of social media in school lessons can help to avoid the negative impacts of the sites.

However, there are several benefits to social media when you think about it. Here are a few of them.

Young people can find like-minded people on these sites to connect with. Using social media can help to build communication skills. Social media use lets one reach people from all over the world.

One of the best benefits is the ability to create an audience for yourself. Social media also lets you be a platform for change, especially for minority groups like people with disabilities.

Social media helps us learn new skills like digital marketing. Young people can use YouTube as a social media outlet to help create a new source of income. Moreover, social media lets you unleash your talent on the world without the need for a third party.

Social media provides a great platform for entrepreneurs to grow and find investors. Social media lets young people stay connected and build relationships.

Disadvantages Of Social Media

Like any other medium, social media also has disadvantages, one of them being unregulated platforms.

A common disadvantage of social media has to be the negative outlook of other young people. This tendency may hurt others, but it's best to understand the difference between real-life and virtual life.

Another disadvantage is the inability to strike a balance, but with proper conversations, achieving it is never a problem. Young people should also think about standing for the social good and measure their steps to make sure that no one is being hurt because of their use of social media.

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