Social media has become an essential part of everyone’s life. It serves as an integral platform that enables users to share their thoughts, ideas, day-to-day experiences and by facilitating communication through emotions (Emojis) and face-to-face (Video call).

From sharing ideas to gathering knowledge and information, social media is a very powerful tool that conducts a significant role in every aspect.  Social media puts forward a unique try for businesses and startups to enlarge their brand or products to reach new heights by engaging
with a wide range of audience in less time.

Although social media has many advantages, despite these it has many disadvantages too. When used unreasonably too much, it leads to the path to addiction, anxiety, depression and mental health disorder.

Let’s discussed 10 negative effects of social media one by one: –

1) Disorder of Addiction from social media

It is the excessive use of social media which impacts on the wellbeing of individuals and their day-to-day activities. They waste lots of time reading the posts, waiting for the new notifications and participating in the social networks instead of performing their actual roles and responsibilities, or even attending to their family. This is the case because they seek validation from society and they do not wish to be left out on any action, in which they get a dose of self-happiness from the likes and comments. This, of course, makes them anxious, depressed and less capable of tackling everyday challenges in real life. To break social media addiction individuals, require awareness of the issue, reduce the amount of time spent on social media, and consult experts to help reset such a behavioural pattern.

2) Social Cyberbullying

Bullying is a term used for harassment that occurs
frequently on social media platforms called social cyberbullying. There are many different activities that can be classified as cyber bullying, these
include spreading damaging or false information about the victim through online methods such as email; posting humiliating pictures of the individual without their consent, Maintaining all types of potentially harmful ideas (rumours) on forums and social networks, Convince other people not to like an individual, sharing intimate photos with everyone, Writing negative public comments, Sending messages threatening violent actions .

The result from this type could also turn a Child’s life into a nightmare. The public nature of social media only amplifies the effects and reach of cyberbullying. The effects of social cyberbullying can end up being catastrophic, and they are detrimental to the mental health of a
victim. 

Literally, victims are left dejected and often face unwanted expressions of sorrow, disappointment at underprivileged living standards, fear over the uncertain future that results in depletion of self-worth. Persistent and pervasive harassment can cause psychological impacts on the person concerned, which could disrupt his/her personal as well as social life in the
long run. 

3) Health concerns 

Excessive use of social media is known to have negative impacts on people’s health some of which are anxiety, depression and stress. When people use a lot of time on social media, they are likely to fail in
appreciating life. Children and adolescents of our generation spend nights scrolling feeds and chatting and do not get proper sleep which results in a
lack of sleep leading to severe health complications such as a weakened immune system, increased vulnerability to diseases, and decreased focus. It can also aggravate anxiety and depression, With the help of a professional therapist, therefore, it is possible to get the optimum way of coping with the identified symptoms.

To maintain one’s health, several social media rules that must be taken include limited time spent on social media, more offline activities and enshrine sleep. Although these issues can occur when using social media platforms, it is comforting to note that understanding such issues can assist people to remain healthy while interacting in social media.

Also Read: How to reduce stress

4) Fake information on social media

On social media, such posts tend to be promoted to the user’s followers on the basis of the amount of attention the post gains. In some cases, people spread untruthful or false data to get fame. It can lead to sharing wrong concepts, shifting peoples’ opinions based on non-truths, and sometimes even the creation of hurt. To clarify, the study underpins that when fake information goes viral, it forms a social reality that affects people’s thinking and resulting behaviours. To deal with this problem, people should first check out the information they are going to circulate and use only the certified sources of information in getting updated. Thus, if consumers analyse what they come across on the internet more critically, they can minimize the effects of fake information.

5)Leads to self-comparison

Social media results in comparison with others, primarily with their own selves. Others present only the best part of their lives and even go to the extent of removing things and applying filters on it to make it
better. At the more subconscious level though, this hits a raw nerve as we would not like it accepting. We begin admiring other people and wishing to have
hair like them, or such and such clothes, or such and such accessories, etc. One can be envious that they appear more attractive or seem more satisfied than their own lives are, and that makes their mood become grumpy. This constant comparison can affect our self-esteem, and contribute to the unhealthy state of our personalities. It should also be noted that the life presented in social networks is far from real and only represents the best side. This can assist in preventing people from constantly trying to measure up to the lives of others that are presented in a positive light.

Conclusion

As beneficial as social media has proven to be in the course of communication, sharing of ideas and looking at information it cannot be refuted that there are negative contributions it has caused. Apart from addiction, cyber bullying, to promotion of health complications and fake
information, social media has its own negative impacts. These platforms that were created to unite us, on the contrary, only disunite and have a negative effect on our psyche and health. It is only when the above-mentioned negative consequences are recognized that chances of preventing them are given. To ultimately get the positive impacts, reduce the detrimental consequences of social media, there is a need to encourage people to exhibit healthy social
media usage by practicing critical thinking and by making people engage in real
life interactions.