Expert Insights On How Social Media Adversely Affects Mental Health?

Social media is widely used by millions of people in India and across the world. It is a platform where individuals share daily updates, including minute details such as what they are eating, purchasing, wearing, where they are traveling, and whom they are meeting. However, these daily updates can negatively impact people’s mindset, often affecting their mental health. Many users tend to compare their lives with those of their favorite influencers, celebrities, crushes, or singers.

This constant comparison can significantly impact mental health, leading to a loss of confidence and feelings of inadequacy. It can result in sadness, depression, agitation, irritation, frustration, anxiety, and overthinking. In a conversation with Jagran English, Dr. Ahmed Hussain Khan, an Internal Medicine Consultant, Diabetologist, and Infectious Disease Specialist at Medicover Hospitals in Kharghar, Navi Mumbai, spoke about how social media adversely affects mental health.

According to Dr. Ahmed Hussain Khan, people often compare their healthy relationships with family, friends, or partners to those they see online with celebrities or influencers. This comparison can take a heavy toll on relationships, causing frequent arguments and misunderstandings. Additionally, many people spend hours scrolling through social media applications, which can disrupt sleeping patterns, reduce attention spans, and lead to social media addiction. Platforms like Instagram and their reels often create unrealistic expectations in users’ minds. When these expectations are not met in real life, individuals may feel demotivated or depressed. Cyberbullying cases, particularly on social media, are also on the rise.

Dr. Ahmed Hussain Khan further emphasized that bullying, trolling, or receiving mean comments about one’s appearance, style, or way of speaking is quite common. These negative experiences can severely impact mental health, potentially leading to depression and social isolation. He advised that social media should be viewed merely as a source of entertainment and not allowed to become an unhealthy addiction. If social media begins to negatively affect mental health, he recommends considering a social media detox, which can help restore balance without causing any harm.