Their study, #StatusofMind, surveyed almost 1500 young people aged 14 to 24 on how certain social media platforms impact health and wellbeing issues such as anxiety, depression, self-identity and body image.
YouTube was found to have the most positive impact, while Instagram, Snapchat, Facebook and Twitter all demonstrated negative affects overall on young people's mental health.
In a chat with CNN, Matt Keracher, author of the report said, 'Instagram draws young women to compare themselves against unrealistic, largely curated, filtered and Photoshopped versions of reality'.
"Instagram easily makes girls and women feel as if their bodies aren't good enough as people add filters and edit their pictures in order for them to look 'perfect" an anonymous female respondent said in the report.
To tackle the problem, the RSPH has called for social media platforms to take action in order to help combat young users' feelings of inadequacy and anxiety by placing a warning on images that have been digitally manipulated.
"We're not asking these platforms to ban Photoshop or filters, but rather to let people know when images have been altered so that users don't take the images on face value as real. We really want to equip young people with the tools and the knowledge to be able to navigate social media platforms not only in a positive way but in a way that promotes good mental health," Keracher said.
The survey concluded that while Instagram negatively affected body image, sleep patterns and added to a sense of "FOMO" -- the fear of missing out -- the image app was also a positive outlet for self-expression and self-identity for many of its young users.
Hmmmm
ReplyDeleteI think there is an atom of truth in this
ReplyDeleteYeah right..🖒. Life of social media is not real. So trying to keep up with that kind of life one see on social media can make u physiologically drained..
ReplyDeleteVery true. I wish they can all be banned sef
ReplyDeleteAbegg... Dia r oda probz mor pressin in dx wrld dan dx instagram saga,if u want it to influence negatively ,you r *OYO*..period!
ReplyDeleteA motley crowd of loud mouths ,photosjopped out of context realities, endless narcicisms and braggadoccio in worship of sexual and libidinal impulses and next to nothing on real education and skills repertoire,instagram,,,facebook etc are exerting a most detrimental and devastating impact on youths mental health and no psychologist is talking
ReplyDeleteVERY TRUE
ReplyDelete-D great anonymous now as Vivian Reginalds
VERY TRUE
ReplyDelete-D great anonymous now as Vivian Reginalds
100 % Especially Visualizing a world that's not real. Making young ones think when you not in that world you useless. Photos that ain't 100% real, some items used ain't even theirs but this tool make other young ones struggling with thier grades and life to feel worthless, but in our day, Truth like this are always frowned upon and the unrealistic been upheld. Sad.
ReplyDelete