The relationship between social media and mental health
- Pola Galińska
- Jan 25
- 5 min read
Have you ever met a person who was never immersed in the social media culture? Do you know anyone who is in a constant detox from Instagram, TikTok, etc? Well, you might have never stood a chance of getting to know someone with such an attitude. Social media is so ubiquitous in our lives that it’s almost impossible to refrain from using it. However, these inconspicuous icons conceal more secrets than you think. Not only are they distinct worlds, but they are a room for different content. Unfortunately, a lot of it is harmful for both children and adults. What kind of feelings do socials evoke in people? What are the side effects of overusing them? At first glance, the answer is not obvious.
How do people get addicted to social media?
The impact of social media platforms on people has been intensively researched by lots of healthcare providers, including CRNP (Certified Registered Nurse Practitioner). Dr. Nancy Deangelis, the Director of Behavioral Health has come to a conclusion that socials stimulate human’s brain almost like drugs:
"Social media platforms drive surges of dopamine to the brain to keep consumers coming back over and over again. The shares, likes and comments on these platforms trigger the brain’s reward center, resulting in a high similar to the one people feel when gambling or using drugs."
Dopamine, also known as the hormone of pleasure, is deeply associated with the reward system. It is one of the most essential systems in our brain. It reinforces our daily feelings, especially the positive ones and maintains a balanced lifestyle. Thanks to the release of dopamine, we are able to memorise things more quickly, make decisions or be motivated. Despite its necessity in our lives, this system has got some downsides too. The most harmful of them is the increased risk of getting addicted. As you can see, the surplus of dopamine is strongly connected to the habit of overusing social media. At first sight, this contradiction seems to be unexplainable, but the point of it is very simple. When you take delight in doing something, you activate the reward system, making you desire more and more. You keep repeating specific activities because you feel you deserve being satisfied. You might be unconscious of it, but you can effortlessly lead up to addiction this way.
However, the reward system is not the only reason why young people can endlessly use socials. FOMO (Fear of missing out) is a phenomenon everybody should be aware of. In a nutshell, it is a kind of phobia which makes you feel a constant urge to stay online all the time. Such disorder triggers a strong emotional reaction which invades our daily lives. Studies show that FOMO hits 56% of social media users. 69% of millennials have experienced this fear, which is the highest rate among all generations.
The vicious cycle of using social media
The addictive nature of social media platforms wouldn’t be so serious if their vicious cycle did not exist. Let’s examine it in order to understand the genuine problem of social media overuse.
The whole issue has its roots in real life when someone does not receive any positive emotions, such as gratitude, approval or love. Therefore, they have to relieve their concerns through social media. They try to gain acceptance from digital creators who, according to the hurt, will understand their worries and give them professional help. Unfortunately, this beautiful scenario is just an expectation. Soon, feelings of inadequacy as well as rejection are slowly emerging. These symptoms result in depression, social anxiety and loneliness. Nonetheless, the victims of the vicious cycle increase their screen times so as to break free from their psychological problems.
What are the side effects of social media overuse?
What are the negative consequences of social media addiction? Well, the side effects are comparable to more common bad habits people slide into. The most recognisable symptoms of the addiction are depression, social anxiety, low self-esteem (which results in higher risk of isolation), impulsivity, defensiveness (hypersensitive reaction to criticism) or poor body image. The last one is extremely dangerous, especially for girls. Females suffering from this disorder tend to retouch their body in order to feel better with themselves for at least a while. It is deeply associated with disinhibition (no impulse control, doing what feels right at the moment, without any perception of upcoming consequences). All the things I’ve mentioned before escalate mental health problems and can have its reflection in the future.
How to use social media wisely?
Truth be told, it’s pretty easy to lapse into bad habits nowadays. However, there are also some smart ways to avoid the dark side of socials. You can start following “buffer accounts” which are compelling, but do not do any harm, for example cooking blogs. They provide you with useful and fun content at the same time. Even though virtual life seems to be way more beautiful than the one on Earth, you should still remember that you are not supposed to be online 24 hours a day. You can always have a short detox from social media so don’t try to convince yourself that you can’t have a day off. And remember not to lose yourself during your adventure. Don’t look at your phone every 5 minutes and don’t check who liked or commented on your post. Don’t turn into a typical people pleaser, you play the first fiddle on your profile, after all. Ultimately remember, if you have any problems concerning mental health, tell someone about them and don’t hesitate to see a psychologist. If you go off the rails, no one else will replace you.
Page design: Asya Chub
Bibliography
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Photos:
Isometric Social Media Addiction, Influence, Popularity, Modern Lifestyle, and Ad Concept. Men with smartphone devices. A depressed and sad man chained and shackled to a big mobile smartphone. © Golden Sikorka / shutterstock.com, accessed 20 Jan 2026
Close-up friends checking their phones, Freepik.com, accessed 20 Jan 2026
Social media troll harassing people on social media, Freepik.com, Accessed 20 Jan 2026
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