Using social media in today’s digital era is as natural as breathing. Be it a teen, a grownup, or an old person, everyone uses social media these days. On the one hand, social media platforms have connected human beings from different countries and have blurred the boundaries of nation, caste, and religion; however, then again, social media has greatly affected the mental and emotional health of human beings all around the globe.

Studies have been conducted with the help of researchers that prove that people who spend more time ⁠ on social media are more prone to mental health issues like anxiety, depression, and bipolar disorder. In contrast, individuals who spend their time interacting with human beings physically and spending time with ⁠ nature show symptoms of better intellectual health and even tend to stay longer. ⁠

In this blog, we will dive into the impact of social media on students and some tips to reduce the adverse effect of social media. So, let us dive in! But before that, are you planning a career in engineering and looking for the best college in Central India? Well, theBansal Group of Institutes is the best option for you. Enrol now!

Table Of Contents

1. What Is Social Media?

2. What Is Mental Health?

3. Impact Of Social Media On Students

4. Tips On Using Social Media

5. The Final Say 

6. FAQs

What Is Social Media?

Social media is a collective term for websites and programs that permit sharing of information and make people from around the globe connect and interact with each other. If you operate social media often, there is a great ⁠ risk you are familiar with Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Snapchat, and LinkedIn.

Joining social media is ⁠ easy. One just has to make an account by providing their details, and then, ⁠ they are free to share their thoughts, business ideas, etc.

Many small business owners, creators, and influencers have leveraged the power of social media and become millionaires at a tender age. But, just like any coin has two sides, so does social media. Many crimes like hacking, cyberbullying, plagiarism, phishing, and trolling are prevalent on social media. In this case, cyber security becomes essential.

What Is Mental Health?

Mental health is used to refer to the emotional and psychological well-being of a person. After the COVID-19 pandemic, the term has been used excessively and, sometimes, casually in inappropriate contexts. 

Nevertheless, people have finally realised that mental health is as important as physical health. Just like physical wounds and injuries need to be tended to, mental scars and illnesses deserve equal medical attention.

However, there is still some taboo around talking about mental health, as there is a notion that people with mental illnesses are psychologically unwell and should be treated differently. But, this bizarre notion is slowly being reduced by ongoing campaigns and programs that spread awareness about mental health.Moreover, the counselling cell can be a great choice at college if you are dealing with the same.

Children and students are most prone to mental health disorders because of the pressure they face from all sides. Students in schools and colleges find it difficult to relax when they are continuously asked about their life plans and career goals compared to others around them. Social media plays a big role in the comparisons and peer pressure students experience. 

Impact Of Social Media On Students

According to a UNICEF survey, one out of every seven youngsters in India suffers from a mental health disorder like anxiety or depression due to the influence of social media on students. 

Social media has the strength to make a person feel connected and cherished. Still, on the flip facet, it can also make humans experience overlooked, conscious, and jealous of their friends, celebrities, and icons who have a better life than them. Let us discuss the effect of social media on college students’ lives:

1. It Makes Students Feel Left Out

FOMO (fear of missing out) is a common slang among teenagers. It means that students studying or concentrating on their careers might feel envious and left out by observing the lives of other people their age who seem to be having fun. 

This is one of the major effects of social media on students, and it does not allow them to be satisfied with their lives, which causes them to overwork and continuously strive for more.

2. Reduces Concentration Levels

Social media platforms use psychological strategies to grab the attention of their readers. In general, the attention span of an adult is 15–20 minutes, but one-minute entertainment videos can provide quick dopamine to the user. 

Since the human body loves the adrenaline rush, the users keep watching those short videos. But in the long run, while studying or doing other tasks that require more time, energy, and focus, the students struggle because their dopamine demand is not fulfilled, affecting their success.

3. Triggers Comparison

One of the most negative effects of social media on students is that it paints a perfect image of other people’s lives and makes the observer think that their life is tough. But, the people using social media should understand that social media life is a lie. 

Nobody would post pictures of them crying or talking about their hardships, nor would the user themselves. Thus, students should not compare their behind-the-scenes work with someone else’s highlight reel.

Tips On Using Social Media

Although social media can have a grave impact on students’ mental health, telling them to stop using, it will not be realistic advice. We live in a modern world where social media and students are inseparable, and completely adopting the monk lifestyle would also hamper students’ mental health. 

Thus, engagement with people without letting them influence you is the need of the hour. Here are some tips for using social media without letting it affect your well-being.

Tip 1: Draw A Line Between The Virtual World And Reality

Students must remember that social media is a projection of reality but not reality itself. Many people lie and fake their lives on social media for fame and followers. Students should be self-aware and not let these fake people influence them adversely. 

Tip 2: Set A Timer For Social Media

You might open a social media application for some work or job opportunity you heard of. Still, in no time, you will find yourself watching videos of unknown people doing nonsensical activities. Thus, to break the spell, it is essential to be conscious and physically present while using social media and setting timers.

Tip 3:  Follow The Right People

Social media can be an advantage if used for promoting one’s business, exhibiting talent, or networking with like-minded individuals. It is important to follow people who can positively impact your mental health and make you learn new things. 

Following these tips will significantly lessen the adverse impact of social media on students. 

The Final Say 

Social media is a dominant part of every student’s life. If used correctly, it can be the greatest blessing, but if used incorrectly, it has the power to destroy the self-esteem, self-confidence, and overall mental health of its users. Students should not get upset about their life by comparing their behind-the-scenes to someone’s highlight reels, as we cannot see the struggles of people who appear happy on the screen.

FAQs

1. What is the impact of social media on students and their mental health?

If used for a prolonged period, social media can hurt the life of students. It can reduce their attention span, make them do things out of peer pressure, and hamper their self-worth and self-esteem.

2. Why does the media affect mental health?

The media paints an unrealistically perfect image of other people’s lives, making the users feel like they are the only ones suffering while everyone else’s life is happy and sorted out. This constant comparison leads to degrading mental health.

3. What is the impact of Facebook on students’ lives?

Facebook enables students to network and interact with their peers and influential people, but if used excessively, it can hamper the mental health of students. Additionally, cautious use of Facebook is necessary as hacking and cyber crimes are prevalent in this modern tech world.

About BGI

The Bansal Group of Institutes offers various engineering, management, and nursing courses. It has top-placement colleges across Bhopal, Indore, and Mandideep. With incredible faculty and well-equipped laboratories, BGI ensures a top-notch learning experience. 

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