• Question: Do you think social media is psychologically good or bad, some argue that the increase in the ways in which we can socialize is a good thing as this leads to us furthering our relationships with others, but others argue that the additional pressure causes an increase in anxiety and other mental health issues? What's your opinion / perspective?

    Asked by anon-184185 to Tom, sarahhodge, Owen, Nathan, Lorna, Abbie on 7 Nov 2018.
    • Photo: Abbie Jordan

      Abbie Jordan answered on 7 Nov 2018:

      I think I am going to sit on the fence here a little and possibly get splinters for doing this. I think it is a bit of both. If you pushed me say one or the other, I think I would have to say that it is a good thing overall. In my work, it can help young people with chronic pain to connect with others when they can’t get out to see their friends (very important when you are a teenager as you will know). It can connect them to the outside world and help them to feel part of something.

      But, we do know that it can increase anxiety and low mood if people spend too much of their time on social media and not enough in the ‘real world’. After all, we can all probably relate to seeing people’s Instagram lives and knowing that the reality is perhaps not as shiny and glossy as it might look.

      There are academic arguments both for and against so I am a bit torn but as I said, I think I am in favour personally.

    • Photo: Nathan Hook

      Nathan Hook answered on 8 Nov 2018:

      It depends on how it is used.

      While it is probably less good than direct interaction with fellow humans, it’s also probably better than not having interaction at all. Using it as a means to stay in touch with distant family and friends is positive, getting bullied by random strangers online isn’t.

      If someone is struggling with excessive pressure from it, it’s may be healthy to discuss it with someone. Perhaps consider taking a week or two away form social media to get some perspective on how important it really is.

    • Photo: Owen Jones

      Owen Jones answered on 13 Nov 2018:

      I’d say it can do some good, but generally its bad. Great book on this topic – “filling the void by Marcus Gilroy-Ware”.

    • Photo: Sarah Hodge

      Sarah Hodge answered on 14 Nov 2018:

      I think at the core of this is how are you social media, it can be used in both positive and negative ways. At the moment we see both the positive and negative factors and I think it’s important to the future that more guidance is given to how to use social media in the healthy way for example the amount of time spent on it is balanced and remembering it’s not always a reflection of reality.

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