Is Social Media a Cause of Student Anxiety?

Social media anxiety disorder is a mental health condition that is similar to social anxiety disorder. It seems that the more technology we acquire, the more stressed out we become.

Overall, about 30% of those who use social media spend more than 15 hours per week online. This can greatly reduce your ability to enjoy real life. If you are spending several hours a day focused on social media, you are not going to have enough time to work, study, or spend time with loved ones.

Researchers have found that using social media obsessively causes more than just anxiety. In fact, testing has found that using too much internet can also cause depression, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), impulsive disorder, problems with mental functioning, paranoia, and loneliness.

Social media issues that can increase anxiety include:

• Trying to compensate by interacting with peers exclusively on social media sites, and then being even less comfortable with real-life interactions.
• Friendships that are built mostly on social platforms, which may be weaker than those that developed in real life.
• Seeing all of the great things your friends are posting about, which may make you feel left out or inadequate.
• Increased stress, especially if you feel the need to be constantly connected to the online world in fear of missing out.
• Problems falling asleep; screen time disrupts sleep and desynchronizes the body clock. Missing out on sleep can lead to increased feelings of anxiety or depression.

Tips for positive social media use:  

• Balancing time that you spend online with time spent in real-world connections – or using the time that you connect online to plan events in the real world.
• Practicing mindfulness to become aware of your surroundings so that social media won’t take up all of your free time.
• Signing up for meetup groups or join groups with people who have similar interests or hobbies to yours, which can help you increase real-life connections.
• Keeping in mind that what you see on social networking sites is not necessarily a true representation of the lives of people you know; try not to compare or think about what others have that you don’t.
• Moderating your use (or taking a break altogether); use social networking as a reward for getting other things to prevent yourself from falling into an addictive pattern. Spending time outdoors and interacting with nature are natural mood enhancers that can help restore attention, stress, and reduce aggression.
• Recognizing social media’s strengths and weaknesses, and never relying on it as your only means of communication.

At the Arise Society, our focus is helping our students grow from their problems and empower them with the confidence and skills to lead happy, healthy and fulfilling lives. The most common problems we address are anxiety, depression, screen and gaming issues, trauma, ADHD, borderline personality disorder, and others. We provide personalized academic, therapeutic, and social support in a “real life” setting that gives our students the skills to reach their fullest potential. Out team of mental health professionals is ready to help. 

Sources

https://columbiachronicle.com/aa2daa9a-d7e4-11e3-9286-001a4bcf6878

https://adaa.org/social-media-obsession

https://www.anxiety.org/social-media-causes-anxiety

https://www.verywellmind.com/social-network-use-and-social-anxiety-disorder-4117143

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