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I am excited to introduce to you all to my multigenre research project on the effects of social media on mental health. In this day and age now, social media is used heavily throughout the nation. The usage of social media can create a severe amount of damage on one's mental health. Through my project I would like to give more information on what social media does to mental health and how people can avoid these issues.

In my project you will find both factual and and creative information given that explains and expresses more of what social media does to mental health. It will highlight both the good and the bad, while giving healthy ways to steer clear of unhealthy social media usage habits.

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Social media is designed for people to become addicted. As people use social media more they become associated with anxiety and depression. The more the usage of social media increases, the more FOMO (Fear of Missing Out) increases. When watching other people all day long and other start feeling like they are not doing enough, this is an example of Fomo.

The earlier teens start to use social media, the more damage that has been caused to their mental health. Social media has a larger affect on teens due to there new found and growing hormones and their inability to understand and fully control their emotions.

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Dear diary, today in class we learned about social media and how it affects people today. As we were learning more about the topic, it made me think about if I've ever experienced any changes in myself because of social media. As we dove deeper into the topic of the effect social media has on people’s wellbeing, I discovered that changes occur everyday that may be positive or negative from using social media that goes unnoticed regularly. I noticed that most of the negative effects of social media have affected teens the most. There becomes an increase in depression and anxiety as they use social media more. This can also affect their sleeping routines, shortens their attention span, and slows them down causing them to be less active. I soon started to realize that the key to being able to maintain a stable and healthy mental well-being is to balance. Learn what bad habits come from being on social media too much and avoid them, by cutting the time spent on there. There can be bad habits that consist of comparing yourself to others, letting others influence you into doing not so safe and healthy things, and putting off school work and extracurricular activities to be on social media. These are things that mostly happen to teens and are harming them in different ways. Though social media has many negative effects on mental wellbeing, it also has some positive effects. These positive factors include being introduced to new artists, viewing places you may want to explore, or texting your friends and family. As long as you are able to keep a positive balance on your social media intake, your mental wellbeing will be able to stay intact

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In today's time, where screens seem to beam,

While adults and teens tend to rot behind the scenes.

Social media has their minds in a trance,

Where all it takes is one post or tweet.

There is no thought about what the media has done,

All anyone knows is to scroll with their thumbs.

It connects us all from far and near,

Yet there is more to it than that I fear. Comments and likes may uplift and bring light,

Or they can be degrading and cruel to the human eye.

Some tend to be supportive, while others can be rude.

All of this can lead to the worst.

Behind the bright smiles and selfies,

There lies struggle and sorrow hidden from other eyes.

What's supposed to be fun and creative, Can turn into something dark and negative.

Social media can be positive depending on how you use it,

But when it becomes more than that how will we cope.

Comparison is a silent killer.

Wanting to fit in and be like the rest,

Look like the rest,

Act like the rest,

And become a new person you cannot even recognize.

Is this where the problem begins?

Time passes and wanting to be like the rest

Becomes exhausting and it makes you restless.

There’s always room for change and improvement,

But there seems to be no will.

Is this where the sadness and loneliness kicks in?

This is the darkness and negativity that most try to avoid.

Try to be cautious.

Social media can be light,

But it can also be dark and a thief of joy. Balance your use of social media

For yourself

And for your mental health.

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·         The social dilemma: social media and your mental health. (2024, March 29). mcleanhospital.org. Retrieved December 4, 2024, from https://www.mcleanhospital.org/essential/it-or-not-social-medias-affecting-your-mental-health

·         Social Media and Mental Health in Children and Teens. (2024). John Hopkins Medicine. Retrieved December 1, 2024, from https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/wellness-and-prevention/social-media-and-mental-health-in-children-and-teens

·         Social media use can be positive for mental health and well-being. (2024). Harvard T.H. CHAN School of Public Health. Retrieved December 4, 2024, from https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/news/features/social-media-positive-mental-health/

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Experts believe that social media can benefit mental health as well as negatively affect it. Doctors and psychiatrists say that with a balance of good and somewhat bad habits, people will be able to maintain more of a stable mental health.

It has been proven that depression is seen more in teens who use social media more than others. Parents can help with teens and their social media attachment by finding ways to limit their screen time.