Below are some opinions on social media as well as its effect on the mental health of users. These first hand accounts were collected through the #RepostPositivityNYC Instagram page.
Social Media impacted my mental health by causing me to isolate myself with my phone. It reinforced a mindset where I thought the only possible way to make friends was through social media apps. Unlike in person friends, I have never really had an issue with my online friends. I know I can’t only find friends online, I need a social life outside of my phone as well. Another thing, seeing skinnier girls and comparing their likes to mine make me feel like I need to be skinny in order to be liked. Plus, my sleeping schedule sucks, I spend way too long on my social media at night – M.B.
I absolutely hate fake bodied Instagram models. The ideal body reinforced on social media sets an unrealistic and sometimes even impossible goal for young women. – A.O.
Social media often makes me feel guilty. It makes me feel as though I am not doing enough to help people. I don’t post too often and when BLM was trending I was overwhelmed with a flood of information and even anger towards people who weren’t posting in support. I may not have posted but I’ve made donations and taught myself more about the injustices and history of discrimination present in this country Other than that, another negative aspect of social media is the standards set by social media. For women especially, social media dictates what we should look like, act like, even what we should own. Overall it is a lot of pressure to reach such demanding standards. – L.W.
Social media created an ideal type of person that I felt I should be. And because I know I’m not that person it generated a lot of insecurity. I remember, as young as twelve, I had gotten very depressed and anxious; even eating less and working out more to try to be that “ideal” person. That’s not what twelve year old’s should be doing or even thinking about. It also plays a role in my anxiety and abandonment issues. Social media makes it very easy to “stalk” partners, causing me to spiral to “why did they tweet this like this” or “why did they post this instead of texting me back.” I know it is weird but with how easy it has become, sometimes I can’t stop myself. – A.G.
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