Responsible Use Of Social Media

The last decade has witnessed social media evolving from a virtual meeting place to an indispensable part of our daily lives. Facebook, TikTok, Instagram, YouTube, and other social platforms have transformed the way we learn, communicate, and express ourselves. Behind its convenience and connectivity lies a profound public health impact. These media have a pressing impact on all aspects of our physical, mental, social, and spiritual health. Particularly, younger generations are utilizing its benefits; however, its responsible use warrants serious concern for the regulation and control. 

It is not too late to consider whether human intelligence is lagging behind the use of artificial intelligence (AI), along with social media platforms, in terms of our creativity and performance. Social media brings us together. We can get connected and express ourselves beyond our communities to the global world. We have seen its importance during the pandemic when movement was confined and social media was a lifeline for emotional support, essential communication, and health information. 

Risks

However, it not only connects us but also carries risks of isolation, comparison, and emotional exhaustion. We may have thousands of connections online, but still feel loneliness owing to a lack of face-to-face relationships. The richness of physical connection cannot be compared with a virtual one. Often, virtual friendship is fleeting or ephemeral, leaving people craving for human interaction. The ultimate result may be immense social isolation and loneliness, which is a risk factor for anxiety, depression, and many of the non-communicable diseases such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease etc.   

The mental health impact of social media is worrisome, as has been reported in many studies. Published research has reported a strong association between excessive social media use and symptoms of anxiety and depression. The psychological pressure generated due to constant notifications, updates, and comparisons takes its toll on all aspects of our lives. We may start experiencing feelings of being less capable or unsuccessful in comparison to virtual reels of others’ lives, such as perfect bodies, careers, and/or relationships. 

The excessive use of social media has profound effects on teenagers and young adults. The developing brain may be vulnerable to the impulse level effect of scrolling, liking, and commenting. We are still learning its prudent use, but it seems it is addictive due to unlimited scrolling, autoplay, and constant notifications. The users are engaged for a long time and often check their status repeatedly, which may be the beginning of behavioural addiction. 

Moreover, cyberbullying can have a lasting impact on mental health due to its persistence, public, and uncontrollable nature in comparison to physical bullying. The possibility of fake IDs on social media compounds the effect, and victims may suffer long-lasting trauma that results in social isolation. Social media often prioritises visually appealing content with the help of filters, editing apps, and music that promotes an unrealistic standard of actuality. Young males and females may become dissatisfied with their own appearance when compared to others in those reels. 

The beauty standard created by social media can have a strong effect on people’s day-to-day lives. The fascination with likes, comments, copy link, and repost triggers unhealthy competition among its users. Furthermore, it starts fuelling ourselves to generate content by modifying our behaviour, appearance, and identity. Hence, we start creating content that suits online rather than our authentic selves. This behaviour may lead to eating disorders, body dysmorphic disorder, anxiety, and depression. 

The impact of social media on physical health is equally important, as we focus more on mental health and well-being. Late-night screen exposure may disrupt sleep patterns due to suppression of a sleep hormone, which results in insomnia or poor quality of sleep. The constant sleep deprivation is linked to obesity, weakened immunity, hypertension, and other non-communicable diseases. The decrease in physical activity due to a sedentary lifestyle limits our time for exercise, outdoor activities, and social interaction. The impact of inadequate physical activity has implications on physical health, particularly for young adult, as habits continue throughout their lifetime. 

Another concern of excessive use of social media platforms is that people adopt wrong health advice, and it has the possibility of spreading health myths. Thus, it may act as a breeding ground for conspiracy theories, fake advice, and pseudoscience. The speed with which these myths spread may lead to confusion that undermines public health initiatives and negatively influences individual behaviours. The misinformation about supplements, miracle cures, and mental health can lead to self-treatment, delaying the right treatment at the right time. The lack of accreditation of the content on social media may be dangerous, as it may create false public perception. 

Policy

The overall impacts of social media on health warrant education on digital literacy and responsible online behaviour. Parents need to have tools to monitor and guide children in their use of social media. Other stakeholders, such as schools, should develop rules for the use of social media on their premises and integrate digital well-being into their curricula. At the policy level, government and non-government stakeholders together should act to protect public health by enforcing age verification tools, controlling content, and ensuring responsible use of content.  

It is the use that determines the value of social media. Although the connectivity and globalisation have been remarkable through social media, they have also introduced risks to our health. Therefore, it is our shared responsibility to develop a balance that not only increases the benefits but also reduces the risks. The better digital future lies in increasing awareness, sharing responsibility, and proactive approaches for its utilisation. 

(Dr. Lohani is the clinical director at the Nepal Poison Information Centre. lohanis@gmail.com)