Why you should take a much-needed break from social media.
- InkSociety
- Nov 25, 2020
- 2 min read
By Lianne Cha
Oxford Academy
With rising political turmoil and increasing tensions regarding everything from social activism to climate change, more than ever, there is a need to take a break from social media and develop healthy, productive habits. On average, people spent 6 hours and 42 minutes online every day, according to a report from Hootsuite and We Are Social [1], with 2 hours and 24 minutes of that amount on social media [2]. Chanah Park, a junior from Cypress High School, discloses that her screen time spent on social media can even go up to five hours -- that’s five hours and 24 minutes of mentally-draining, stress-inducing, toxic internet drama.
To be fair, social media isn’t necessarily evil; there are benefits to using these platforms such as being able to connect with family and friends, gaining quick access to major news and information, providing an outlet for self-expression, and creating communities with similar interests. Social media sites including LinkedIn and Facebook are used to recruit employees and search for jobs. They are also used by the police departments to catch criminals and solve crimes.
However, with the benefits of social media also come many harmful consequences. Addiction, depression, anxiety, and self-esteem issues are just a few examples of the mental health issues that stem from heavy use of social media. Because the usage of social media affects the brain similarly to how gambling and drugs do, social media is addicting both physically and psychologically. Unfortunately, addiction leads to more time spent on social media, exacerbating the issue.
Additionally, in a study of teenagers and young adults, those who spent significant time on social media reported 13-66% higher rates of depression than those who didn’t engage as much on social media. [3] Most content on social media sites are heavily based on showing off accomplishments, leading to a self-absorbed culture as people talk about themselves 80% of the time they’re on social media. [4] For those who use these sites as a coping mechanism for stress, anxiety, or depression, it can be especially harmful because it is a constant reminder of what they are missing out on and increases perceived social isolation.
Specifically this year, as protests, election propaganda, and other campaigns have found their home on social media platforms, scrolling through Instagram or Twitter can be an added stressor rather than a stress reliever. Viviane Hoang, a junior from Oxford Academy, agrees: “I think 2020 is crazy for everyone since all of these events are occurring at once. There’s nothing wrong with the events themselves, but with everything that’s going on, it can be stressful.”
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