The impact of viewing negative content on social media on mental health

 The impact of viewing negative content on social media on mental health

Social media has now become an important part of our lives. Social media has become an easy way to get information, entertainment, gain knowledge and stay in touch with friends. But along with the positive aspects of social media, there are also negative aspects.

Spending too much time on online platforms can be very dangerous not only for the eyes, but also for mental health. It has a direct impact on the brain. A study conducted by a team of researchers from University College London, published in Nature Human Behavior, has shown the relationship between mental health and excessive use of smartphones, laptops and social media.

This study showed that people with poor mental health are more attracted to negative online content. The study examined the online browsing habits of more than a thousand participants. The emotional angle of the web pages they searched was examined. Then they all talked openly about their current mental health and situation. The researchers found that people experiencing symptoms of poor mental health browsed negative content more often.

After viewing these materials, the mood of these people deteriorated and they had to look for more negative materials to improve it. Professor Tali Sharot, who was involved in this study, said that these results make it clear that negative materials not only spoil someone's mood but also cause many mental challenges.

How many hours do people spend on social media?

Out of the world's more than eight billion people, there are about 5.3 billion internet users. China has the largest number of social media users, but Indians spend the most time on social media. Most people in India spend time on social media, neglecting hunger, thirst, sleep, and relationships.

Negative materials affect mental health

Social media is full of negative materials, which directly affect the functioning of our brain. People who are depressed and angry are more affected by such materials. If someone feels that some negative material matches their personal life, it can affect them emotionally more.

Social media is a repository of true and false information. In such a situation, many types of information are stored in the brain, most of which are negative and useless. It occupies the creative part of the brain and makes it inactive. Due to which a person's attention is reduced. The content viewed on social media all the time reduces the ability to think calmly about one thing and the mind is always disorganized.

Many people have the habit of using their phones late at night due to social media. Sometimes, watching reels and other content for hours disrupts sleep. This causes insomnia and also causes various mental health problems.

The increasing addiction to social media and the constant negative content there leads to problems of depression and anxiety. People become antisocial by living in the virtual world, which deteriorates mental health.

Negative content on social media affects children even more. If they see photos and videos of smoking or drinking on social media, they can learn that.

Children who spend too much time on social media can experience behavioral changes, sensory overload, attention deficit disorder, stress, and depression, among other serious emotional and cognitive problems.

How to avoid the negative effects of social media?

Social media should be used in limited amounts. Using social media for a limited time can help you avoid negative content.

Stay away from negative or self-deprecating content and focus on positive, inspiring content. To strengthen real-life relationships, face-to-face meetings and conversations should be encouraged. Focusing on real relationships rather than social media is beneficial for mental health.

If social media use is seriously affecting your mental health, it may be important to seek psychological counseling from a specialist.