There’s a lot of talk about how people are increasingly depressed because of social media, and it is true.
According to the Child Mind Institute, teenage and young adult users who spend the most time on social media apps such as Instagram and Facebook were shown to have a 53% higher rate of reported depression than those who spent the least time.
My opinion? It’s not social media itself that causes depression, but the kind of content you’re exposed to.
Let’s take a look at TikTok’s algorithm, for example. The TikTok “For You” page caters to each person and their interests. So, I doubt if someone was only getting fed science and technology videos on social media, they would have an increased rate of depression.
So, what do I think is the real problem? Influencers. Specific people are pushing problematic narratives that get fed to different teenagers and children. For example, a lot of influencers, usually followed by young girls, tend to push diet culture and set unreachable body standards, which can increase depression and self-esteem issues in girls.
The comparison issue didn’t start with social media, but it was heightened. People tend to forget social media isn’t someone’s real life; it’s people’s best moments with filters, photoshop, and flattering angles that don’t look the same as when you see these people in real life.
The type of content we consume matters. Social media can be a breeding ground for negativity and insecurities, so we need to be aware of what kind of content we are fed.
So, is social media inherently bad? No. But its design and the type of content it promotes can have a real impact on mental health. The key is awareness and understanding of how these platforms work. People need to make a conscious effort to curate a healthier digital environment.
Solutions may vary from person to person, but they could include unfollowing or even blocking certain influencer accounts, limiting screen time, or being more intentional about the content you interact with.
We must remember that social media is simply a tool; how it affects us depends on how we interact with it.
