The Impact of Social Media on Personal Growth and Well-Being
By Nouf Hunaiti
The rise of social media has sparked a prolonged debate regarding its effects, with opinions being sharply divided on whether the internet brings more benefits than harm. This continuous discussion is engaged across different age groups, underscoring the complexity of assigning the overall impact of social media on society.
The internet has seen exponential growth over the past 15 years, establishing itself in the foundation of everyone but more specifically teenagers. That begs the question: is social media shaping our identities to the extent that it becomes synonymous with our personalities? Does it consume too much of our energy and time?
While the internet provides a valuable outlet for everyone, especially for teenagers, to express themselves, there is concern. Its pervasive presence has led to a prioritization of virtual interactions over real-life social engagements.
Putting online interactions over real-life experiences first may stunt the growth of our identities. Connecting with new people and stepping outside of our comfort zones helps shape who we are as individuals.
We must realize that as social beings, we inherently crave face-to-face connections and the stimulation of real-life interactions, even if some of us lean towards introversion. By substituting these experiences, we risk stunting our personal growth and missing out on valuable opportunities for self-discovery.
The New York Times had a study conducted by Lisa F. Berkman and S. Leonard Syme. This study found that people who were disconnected from others were roughly three times more likely to die during the nine-year study than people with strong social ties.
The internet consumes much of our time, reducing productivity. Upon reflecting, I have noticed how much of my day is consumed by mindless scrolling on my phone, leaving little room for activities that hold greater benefits.
Excessive phone usage resulted in many people overlooking opportunities for self-discovery. Teenagers are already navigating a challenging journey of self-discovery, and despite social media's potential for self-expression, it often exacerbates anxiety by showcasing an idealized version of oneself. Individuals feel compelled to present a flawless image, which can breed a feeling of incompleteness. Consequently, this hinders this vital process for young adults.
It is common for people to pick up their phones after a stressful day and think that this will result in relieving their anxiety.
"After a tough day, I often turn to my phone as an escape, only to realise that the anxiety that I am trying to escape from follows me there too". Dana, a student at Chaffey said.
However, a study conducted by the University of Arizona found that young people who are dependent on their phones have an increased risk of depression and loneliness.
True development involves taking action and setting an intention. Excessive internet usage often triggers a fear of missing out and leads us to compare our lives to others. This comparison consumes our time and energy, leaving no room for action.
It is possible to be successful on a journey to self-discovery without the use of social media. For instance, take the time to try out new hobbies that you otherwise wouldn't do, like painting, cooking or playing an instrument.
"Once I became aware of the amount of time spent on my devices, I started to become conscious of how I spend my time." Dana said.
Additionally, you can push yourself to always be on a journey of learning, by attending workshops, watching educational videos or even reading. All these strategies can aid in ensuring social media does not define your life.
We must realize that social media presents a distorted version of reality. Once we break free from this mindset, we will discover our true capabilities which we once thought were not possible.