Social media has a huge impact on individuals and their lives. While some impacts can be positive, social media has been shown to negatively affect things like our moods and stress levels. Addiction is caused by social media too. With access to it anytime of day on our phones, it’s easy to fall into the bad habit of checking it everywhere – during a meal, in class when a professor is talking, or even in bed when it’s time to sleep! Here are a few areas where social media addiction can have a negative impact.

Communication

Before there was texting, calling was the actual way to reach out to someone. While electronic messaging makes communication faster and easier, there can be negative aspects to it, too.  It can be tricky to decipher the tone people are utilizing when texting or posting on social media.

Emotion

Multiple studies have shown that unlimited use of social media causes stress, bad moods and negative mental health. Many people wake up in the morning and immediately check their Instagram, Snapchat or Twitter.  On platforms like Instagram, some users feel obligated to edit their posts in order to fit the terms of “attractiveness.” Users may begin to compare themselves to others and think, “am I good enough?” “am I pretty enough?”

Health

Social media causes addiction and affects sleep.  Using electronics like cell phones or video games before bedtime can lead to a variety of sleep problems. The result is students who may fall asleep in class or be unable to focus because they are simply too tired!

Social media is a powerful thing. It can help people across the world connect and inspire people to achieve social change. However, we must also realize the negative implications social media has on our lives. We do not need social media every waking moment, and it is important to realize that you need to foster relations in real-time too, not just via a screen.

Pearson Students: How do you feel about social media? Is it too much of a good thing, potentially bad? Share by commenting below!