Is Social Media Hurting Your Mental Health? | Bailey Parnell | TEDxRyersonU

Summary

In this insightful presentation, Bailey Parnell explores the unintended mental health consequences of social media use. She shares her personal experience of disconnecting from social media during a vacation and the anxiety she faced, which led her to research the subject further. Parnell highlights four key stressors associated with social media: the Highlight Reel, Social Currency, F.O.M.O. (Fear of Missing Out), and Online Harassment. She discusses how these factors can contribute to anxiety, depression, and even suicidal thoughts, especially among younger users. However, she also emphasizes that social media itself is not the problem, but rather it amplifies the 'dark side' of human behavior. Parnell concludes with practical advice on how to create a healthier relationship with social media, including recognizing the issue, auditing one's social media consumption, curating a positive online experience, and modeling good behavior. She encourages viewers to make their social media time count, filled with inspiration, laughter, and positivity.

Takeaways

• 📱 The constant urge to check phones and social media can lead to anxiety and withdrawal symptoms, highlighting our deep integration with these platforms.
• 🌟 Social media acts as a personal highlight reel, causing users to compare their ordinary lives with others' curated best moments, which can fuel insecurity.
• 💰 Social currency, in the form of likes, comments, and shares, has become a measure of value and worth on social media, influencing our self-esteem.
• 😟 F.O.M.O. (Fear Of Missing Out) is a real social anxiety that can drive users to maintain active social media presence despite negative emotional impacts.
• 🚫 Online harassment is a significant issue, disproportionately affecting women, LGBTQ+ individuals, people of color, and other marginalized groups, leading to severe consequences.
• 📉 The daily use of social media is linked to increased levels of anxiety, depression, and even suicidal thoughts, especially among younger users.
• 🤔 Recognizing the problem is the first step towards addressing the negative impacts of social media on mental health.
• 📉 Auditing one's social media diet can help understand its emotional impact and make informed decisions about digital habits.
• 🛑 Customizing social media feeds by unfollowing accounts that negatively affect mental health can improve the online experience.
• 👫 Modeling good behavior online can contribute to a healthier social media environment, just as we do in our offline interactions.
• 🌱 Social media itself is not inherently good or bad; it's how we use and interact with it that determines its impact on our well-being.
• ⏰ Allocating time to social media consciously and seeking out positive and inspiring content can lead to a more beneficial online experience.

Q & A

What is the main focus of Bailey Parnell's discussion?

Bailey Parnell's discussion focuses on the unintended consequences of social media on mental health, the stressors it introduces, and how individuals can craft a better online experience for themselves.

Why did Bailey Parnell decide to conduct research on the effects of social media?

Bailey Parnell decided to conduct research on the effects of social media after experiencing anxiety and withdrawal symptoms during a four-day vacation where she disconnected from social media and technology.

What is the 'Highlight Reel' stressor and how does it affect social media users?

The 'Highlight Reel' stressor refers to the curated best moments people post on social media. It affects users by causing insecurity and constant comparison of one's own ordinary life with others' highlight reels, potentially leading to negative self-perception.

What is Social Currency in the context of social media?

Social Currency, in the context of social media, refers to the likes, comments, and shares that users receive on their posts. These interactions are seen as a form of social value or 'currency' that can influence one's sense of self-worth.

What does F.O.M.O. stand for and what is its impact on social media users?

F.O.M.O. stands for 'Fear Of Missing Out.' It is a social anxiety stemming from the fear of missing a potential connection, event, or opportunity. It can lead to a constant need to check social media and may contribute to feelings of exclusion or anxiety.

What percentage of online adults have experienced online harassment according to the script?

According to the script, 40% of online adults have experienced online harassment.

How does Bailey Parnell suggest individuals can audit their social media diet?

Bailey Parnell suggests that individuals should monitor and evaluate the content they consume on social media, asking themselves how it makes them feel, how often they check for likes or responses, and whether the results of this behavior are satisfactory.

What is the significance of the 'safe social' concept mentioned by Bailey Parnell?

The 'safe social' concept refers to the idea of practicing healthy and mindful social media habits. It involves recognizing the potential negative impacts of social media, setting boundaries, and curating a positive online experience that enhances one's well-being rather than detracting from it.

How does social media use compare to other daily activities in terms of time spent, as mentioned in the script?

The script mentions that on average, people spend two hours a day on social media, which is a duration they might not even spend eating.

What is the role of dopamine in the context of social media addiction?

Dopamine is a feel-good chemical in the brain that is released with every like or positive interaction on social media. This release of dopamine can create a reward system that leads to addiction-like behaviors, as users seek to replicate the positive feeling by continually checking for new likes or responses.

What is the key takeaway from Bailey Parnell's discussion for someone concerned about their social media usage?

The key takeaway is the importance of recognizing the potential negative impacts of social media on mental health, auditing one's social media habits, creating a more positive online experience, and modeling good behavior to foster a healthier relationship with social media.