May is Mental Health Awareness Month and a trending topic among researchers is the relationship between social media and mental health. Research has shown that smartphones connected to social media harm the mental health of adolescents and students by increasing anxiety and depression. A University of Florida psychiatrist says there are ways to limit negative exposure and increase their protective measures while staying engaged.
Dr. Marcia Morris, associate professor in the Department of Psychiatry and associate director of the UF Student Health Psychiatry Program, has found that many young people are increasingly aware of the negative effects of smartphones and social media on their mental health.
“In students for whom I provide psychiatric treatment, I see that students benefit when they reduce their excessive use of social media,” said Dr. Morris, author ofThe Campus Cure: A Parent’s Guide to College Student Mental Health and Well-Being. “One student lost access to his phone for a few days and noticed a reduction in his symptoms of depression and anxiety. They talked with friends and enjoyed hobbies rather than scrolling through their phones in the evening.
How can we encourage teens to develop healthy habits around social media use, and what role can technology play in promoting positive mental health outcomes?
I encourage parents to ask their children and adolescents to develop these habits:
- Question what you read and see on social media. Don’t believe everything.
- Don’t post anything that could be embarrassing for the whole world. What you post is permanent.
- Limit social media use to 30 minutes or less per day.
- Report any bullying or bullying to your parents.
- Share your passwords with your parents so they can monitor your usage. They may not look at everything, but they should check periodically.
–Dr. Marcia Morris, board certified by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology
Dr Morris has been caring for university students for over 20 years and says taking a break from social media can be an important way to protect your mental health and build resilience. She cites a study published in the Journal of Social and Clinical Psychology that showed that students who spent 30 minutes or less per day on social media (Facebook, Instagram and Snapchat) experienced a decrease in depressive symptoms and loneliness over time. time.
There is a generation of young people trying to redefine what it means to be connected. Taking technology breaks from social media, turning off notifications, and even using a flip phone are ways they prioritize their mental health.
There’s no doubt that social media can be a powerful tool for fostering connections, accessing resources, promoting creativity, and facilitating self-expression. However, it is important to consider the potential negative effects of prolonged use, such as feeling isolated or developing negative emotions.
Dr. Benjamin Johnson, interim director of UF’s STEM Translational Communication Center and editor-in-chief of Media Psychology, said being aware of a person’s habits will also help support good mental health and well-being. be, rather than harm them.
“People need to be aware of their routines,” said Johnson, who has written more than 45 peer-reviewed publications on social media and psychology. “We start routines because they gave us some sort of reward and made us happy. “But if we have the ability to think about what we do and our habits, we can make better choices, because sometimes habits become dysfunctional, and that’s often the case with media.”
Although engagement is initially satisfying, it can potentially lead to unwanted side effects.
“It’s not the device, it’s what’s on it,” Johnson recalled. “If you have people who make you happy, people who support you in your feed, where you learn in your feed, that’s different from people who make you feel bad about yourself, or people who annoy you or people who make you feel inadequate. So content is very important.
The relationship between social media and mental health is not entirely negative. Many teens can benefit from the mental health benefits of technology, including social media. Through social media, they connect more frequently with their friends and can feel a sense of belonging.
One of the most positive impacts of technology in general on mental health is the use of 988, the new easy-to-remember number to call or text the Suicide and Crisis lifeline. Another positive technological development is the use of telehealth for therapeutic and psychiatric appointments, making mental health care more accessible.
Mental Health Awareness Month is celebrated nationally and was started by the organization Mental Health America in 1949 to promote mental health as an essential part of overall well-being. The organization shares information about the impact of an individual’s environment on their mental health, suggestions for making changes to improve and maintain their mental well-being, and how to seek mental health support. help for mental health problems.
May 17, 2023
