« Back to Glossary IndexProblematic social media use refers to the excessive and compulsive use of social media platforms that negatively impacts an individual’s life. This condition can manifest as a preoccupation with these platforms, leading to adverse psychological and physiological effects such as anxiety, depression, and stress, particularly among young people. The issue extends to influencing mental health and well-being, with a notable connection between cyberbullying and depression. The addictive nature of social media use is often attributed to certain design choices made by developers to maximize user engagement. Social media addiction can be treated by identifying and addressing these addictive behaviors, with studies suggesting a reduction in usage can significantly improve well-being. Finally, certain demographic and personality factors, such as age and narcissistic tendencies, can influence the likelihood of problematic social media use.
Experts from many different fields have conducted research and held debates about how using social media affects mental health. Research suggests that mental health issues arising from social media use affect women more than men and vary according to the particular social media platform used, although it does affect every age and gender demographic in different ways. Psychological or behavioural dependence on social media platforms can result in significant negative functions in individuals' daily lives. Studies show there are several negative effects that social media can have on individuals' mental health and overall well-being. While researchers have attempted to examine why and how social media is problematic, they still struggle to develop evidence-based recommendations on how they would go about offering potential solutions to this issue. Because social media is constantly evolving, researchers also struggle with whether the disorder of problematic social media use would be considered a separate clinical entity or a manifestation of underlying psychiatric disorders. These disorders can be diagnosed when an individual engages in online content/conversations rather than pursuing other interests.
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