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“Unmasking Social Media: Its Role in Triggering Depression Symptoms” By: Luis Hines, Ph.D., LMHC, LPC
Approximately four billion individuals globally are active on social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, according to some estimates. This high prevalence has led mental health professionals to examine the potential influence of these platforms on the incidence of depression.
Evidence indicates that individuals who restrict their social media use often report a higher level of happiness compared to those who don’t. Various studies have suggested that using social media can incite a spectrum of negative feelings in users, exacerbating or contributing to symptoms of depression.
A Word from the U.S. Surgeon General
In May 2023, the U.S. Surgeon General, Dr. Vivek Murthy, issued an advisory, shedding light on the impact of social media on the mental health of young people. He highlighted that during vital phases of adolescent brain development, social media use can predict a decline in life satisfaction, among other issues such as body image, sleep problems, and more.
Considering the ubiquity of social media among adolescents, he emphasized the necessity for more research.
Understanding Clinical Depression
Clinical depression or major depressive disorder is a mental health condition characterized by persistent feelings of sadness and disinterest in activities previously enjoyed.
This disorder can range from mild to severe, affecting the afflicted individual’s ability to focus, sleep or eat adequately, make decisions, or fulfill daily routines.
Depression may lead individuals to consider suicide or feel worthless, develop anxiety, or experience physical symptoms such as fatigue or headaches. Psychotherapy and medication are common treatment options. Reducing time spent on social media and fostering real-world connections can be beneficial to mental health.
The Reality of Social Media and Depression
Social media usage is at its peak, with over half of the global population engaging on these platforms, bombarded with constant news, often with a negative undertone. A 2018 study published in Lancet revealed that late-night Facebook users tended to feel more depressed and unhappy. Another study in the same year found a correlation between reduced time on social media and lesser symptoms of depression and loneliness. A 2015 study further revealed a higher likelihood of depression symptoms among Facebook users who felt envious on the platform.
The Connection: Causation or Correlation?
Several studies have proposed a correlation between the use of social media and mental health issues. Some have even suggested that social media might cause depression. A significant study published in 2018 in the Journal of Social and Clinical Psychology—”No More FOMO: Limiting Social Media Decreases Loneliness and Depression”—found that reduced social media use corresponded to reduced feelings of depression and loneliness.
This finding highlighted a correlation between diminished social media use and emotional wellbeing. The researchers asserted that the study was the first to establish a causal link between these variables.
“To establish this link, the researchers divided 143 University of Pennsylvania students into two groups: one group could use social media without any restrictions, while the second group’s social media usage was restricted to a maximum of 30 minutes per day on Facebook, Instagram, and Snapchat combined, over a three-week period.
Each participant used iPhones to access social media, and their phone data was monitored for compliance. The group with limited social media usage reported decreased severity of depression and loneliness compared to their initial status. Interestingly, both groups reported a decrease in anxiety and fear of missing out (FOMO), suggesting that participating in the study heightened their awareness of their social media usage.
Less Social Media
Less FOMO While it’s not definitively clear why participants who limited their social media use to 30 minutes daily experienced less depression, researchers suggest that these individuals were less exposed to content that could make them feel inadequate.
Engaging with posts that portray others’ “perfect” lives can lead to feelings of inadequacy among social media users. Additionally, social media can trigger FOMO. A sense of FOMO, or Fear of Missing Out, for instance, upon seeing pictures from a friend’s vacation they weren’t a part of or missing an invite to a social event. Experiences like these can lead to self-doubt and a questioning of their friendships or self-worth.
Moreover, seeing images of an ex-partner enjoying a lavish lifestyle with a new love interest could also generate feelings of FOMO. This could prompt questions about why they weren’t treated in the same manner, intensifying feelings of inadequacy.
Ultimately, restricting social media use can reduce time spent on self-comparison, helping to alleviate negative self-perceptions and symptoms contributing to depression.
The Vulnerability of Young People
Before the advent of social media and the internet, instances of bullying were mostly restricted to school environments. However, social media has provided bullies with new avenues to harass their victims.
Through a single click, bullies can share humiliating or abusive videos of their victims or swarm their social media pages with negative comments and misinformation. In some severe cases, victims have resorted to suicide.
Despite many schools implementing anti-bullying policies and rules about online student conduct, monitoring abusive behavior on social media remains a challenge for educators and parents alike. Furthermore, victims often refrain from reporting bullying incidents due to fear of escalated harassment, thus depriving them of necessary emotional support in a stressful situation.
Each participant used iPhones to access social media, and their phone data was monitored for compliance. The group with limited social media usage reported decreased severity of depression and loneliness compared to their initial status. Interestingly, both groups reported a decrease in anxiety and fear of missing out (FOMO), suggesting that participating in the study heightened their awareness of their social media usage.
If you or someone you know is having suicidal thoughts, contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988 for support from a trained counselor. If you or a loved one are in immediate danger, call 911.
For additional mental health resources, consult our National Helpline Database.
The Perils of ‘Doomscrolling’
One in five Americans now source their news from social media, a percentage higher than those relying on traditional print media. This means heavy social media users are often exposed to an overwhelming amount of news, including distressing headlines about natural disasters, terrorist attacks, political disputes, and celebrity deaths.
In the pre-internet era, exposure to distressing news was more controlled, delivered through scheduled TV broadcasts or newspapers. Now, the habit of consuming an excessive amount of distressing news online, known as “doomscrolling,” can negatively impact mental health, potentially causing or intensifying symptoms of anxiety or depression.
A 2018 Lancet Psychiatry study found that those who browsed Facebook before bedtime were 6% more likely to suffer from major depressive disorder and rated their happiness 9% lower than those who maintained better sleep hygiene. Psychologist Amelia Aldao described doomscrolling as a “vicious cycle of negativity,” with increased scrolling leading to increased anxiety, resulting in a bleak worldview that exacerbates feelings of hopelessness.
Using Social Media
Responsibly While using social media does carry mental health risks, complete avoidance isn’t the only solution. Experts suggest moderate use of these platforms. Implementing timers when using social media or installing tracking apps on your device can help monitor the time spent on these platforms. Without such tools, it’s easy to lose track and spend hours on social media.
Limiting time on social media can also be achieved by engaging in real-world activities, such as reading a book, watching a film, going for a walk, playing a game, baking, or having a conversation with a friend over the phone. Making time to enjoy life offline can significantly improve your overall wellbeing.
If you or someone you care about is struggling with depression and need help, call us for an appointment at 305-642-5255 or 305-895-0504. Our national number (877) 897- 6987 ext. 403.