Author: ximena

Social Media Does More Harm Than Good – PSA

ximena

Social Media Does More Harm Than Good

SCRIPT

Social media holds a stupendous number of negative impacts on one’s well-being. While social media platforms can have their benefits, using them too frequently can make you feel increasingly unhappy and isolated in the long run.

These public networks negatively impact self-esteem, creating a bed for poor body image. Body image is an issue for many young people, both male and female. Studies have shown that when women in their teens and early twenties view Facebook for only a short period of time, body image concerns are higher compared to non-users. When we compare ourselves to others in the way we look, where we go on vacation, or who we’re dating, we feed into social media’s trend of degrading our self-worth based on fake ideals.

Furthermore, social media is the cause of many people’s increased feelings of depression and anxiety. Research suggests that young people who spend more that 2 hours per day on social media are more likely to have poor mental health, including psychological distress. The Child Mind Institute stated; “Survey results found that Snapchat, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram all led to increased feelings of depression, anxiety, poor body image and loneliness”. When we have a spare moment in line at the bank, or we are bored in the passenger seat in the car, we might open our phone to check our Instagram feed. This is us filling the spaces by consuming other peoples’ social media with the endless feed on Instagram/Snapchat/Facebook, etc. Consumption robs us of great ideas, interactions, and makes us less focused. This is a bleeding factor into depression and loneliness; lack of human communication and creativity.

The social platforms available put us at a higher risk for cyberbullying. Bullying during childhood is a major risk factor for a number of issues including mental health, education and social relationships, with long-lasting effects often carried right through to adulthood. The worrisome and unsafe feelings kindled by social media platforms is proven by Forbes’ statement; “the American Academy of Paediatrics has warned about the potential for negative effects of social media in young kids and teens, including cyber-bullying.”

The affects social media holds on sleep is presented in the numerous studies that have shown that increased social media use has a significant association with poor sleep quality in young people. Using phones, laptops, and tablets at night before bed is also linked with poor quality sleep.

Seeing the negative weight placed upon one’s mind and behaviour “can be unhealthy and has been linked to feelings of envy, inadequacy and less satisfaction with life. Studies have even suggested that it can lead to ADHD symptoms, depression, anxiety, and sleep deprivation,” (UNICEF). We must address the link between social media and mental health and fight the problem at its roots.

Downtown Poco – Reflection

ximena

When standing on the corner of a street in downtown Port Coquitlam, I was able to focus on the bustling and busy lives of the individuals in the urbanized city. The cars drove by, rushing to their next destination, as people crossed the streets, shopping for groceries or maybe just getting a coffee. I spent most of my time thinking about where the people around me were going to and coming from. This time around, I did not feel as relaxed or content in my environment because people kept staring at me and with all the sounds and movement going on, I could not really find something to focus on and my attention was everywhere.

Nature – Reflection

ximena

I spent my time outside watching the little creek that runs behind the school. The wind was making the water ripple, the trees sway, and the my skin freeze. There was one tree that I could not seem to get my eyes off of. It big and sturdy with moss growing from the ground to its branches. What astonished me was the fact that the leafless tree was the only one covered in moss within my eyesight. The other trees looked naked and fragile compared to this tree. It leaned over the creek, making it seem as though it’s meant to be an archway and through it, I could see straight through to the other side of the forest, a clearing presenting the school parking lot. During this process, I felt calm and at ease, being in nature, doing nothing. It’s not something many of us do often, or at all, and I find it important to keep in touch with our surroundings to always be aware and appreciative of the nature we have the privilege with which we surround ourselves.