Introduction
Social networks play an essential role in the life of a modern person. Today, one can rarely meet an individual who does not have an account in at least one of the social networks. Moreover, there is an increase in the average age of users, which is explained by technological progress. Finally, there are various social nets, ranging from sharing photos and videos to communicating with people. Social media networks have a dual effect on youth’s mental state, body image, and attention.
Positive and Negative Impacts on Mental State
The mental state of the youth is susceptible to external factors, and online communities have a strong influence on it. The duality of impact is formulated by the fact that it has both positive and negative aspects. The positive elements lie in the fact that one has the opportunity to be in touch all the time. It allows the person to struggle with feelings of loneliness, worries, and even depression.
However, social networks can negatively affect an individual due to, for example, unfamiliar ill-wishers. It is especially popular on social media networks, where one has the opportunity to share photos and videos, and their assessment greatly affects the mood of the person. Thus, some people write highly negative comments on purpose, leading to a deterioration in mood, depression, and even suicidal thoughts.
Construction of Body Image and Self-Esteem
Further, social networks influence the body image of young people, which is formulated by increased attention to their own appearance. Continuing the topic of comments under the photo, it is worth noting that it has an effect on the chemical composition of the human brain. Therefore, women who are worried about their figure may experience a feeling of envy and hatred for women with less weight.
In addition, it significantly lowers self-esteem, which can lead to the desire to write a negative comment under an anonymous nickname. Besides, in social networks, as a rule, women with a model appearance have a large number of likes and subscribers. It adds the susceptibility to body image and the danger of low self-esteem through social media.
Harming Attention Through Distraction
Finally, social networks impact young people’s attention, which, to a greater extent, has a negative aspect. It is formulated by the fact that smartphone notifications constantly distract one from some processes. These may include a message, like, follow, news, photo, video, and other notifications. Thus, the desire to quickly answer the interlocutor/like it distracts the person’s attention.
It can have negative consequences as young people are diverted from the learning process. Correspondence can drag on for a long time, and watching the news will distract from the current task. Moreover, if the information is urgent and vital to the individual, it will be even more challenging to focus on the task at hand.
Conclusion
To conclude, the impact of social media on young people is twofold. On the one hand, it is a convenient way to connect and a method to combat loneliness and depression. In addition to communicating with close persons, there are many support groups or like-minded people on social networks. Besides, a positive assessment of a photo/video of a person causes processes that are beneficial for the brain, which increases tone and causes the hormone of joy. However, at the same time, the possibility of evaluation and increased attention to body image among young people can lead to depression and deterioration of their mental state. Moreover, in some cases, social networks can formulate a barrier for young people in learning or other processes.