Does Social Media Affect Our Well-being?
By ALMA G. FUMAR
Teacher III
Dulag Elementary School
The interest in the advancement of technology in the modern world, especially among the younger population, defines it. Most people’s lives are heavily influenced by technology, particularly social media. Facebook, Tiktok, and Instagram are some of the most widely used social media platforms with the main objectives of sharing or viewing personal information and experiences, corresponding with others, and making new friends online. Due to the pandemic, social media has so far had a significant influence.
Today, people are unaware of their addiction to social media, just as they underestimate how it can affect and influence their life. Because of this, it is frequently too late to take action before things get out of hand. Social media addiction has numerous negative effects, particularly on mental health. Much research on the relationship between social media use and mental health has revealed a positive and negative relationship between the long-term use of platforms like Facebook and issues like stress, anxiety, and depression.
Users who check in more frequently and for longer periods each day tend to feel less confident about themselves. Facebook use has been related to reduced self-esteem. Numerous research has shown a connection between poor self-esteem and various psychological diseases, such as anxiety and depression. Additionally, it has been shown that self-esteem acts as a safeguard against threats to academic and emotional stability and that it is positively connected with academic success. Addiction to social media may result in low self-esteem, which can negatively impact mental health and academic performance. In other words, self-esteem may play a role in mediating the relationships between social media addiction, mental health, and academic achievement. ###
