The impact of social media use on mental health is an increasingly hot topic, as highlighted by a recent advisory analysis and report by the US Surgeon General’s Office. Social media sites like Facebook, YouTube, TikTok, Instagram, and X/Twitter are now widely used across the world, with more than half of the global population using some outlets.
A growing body of research suggests that social media use can negatively affect our psychological health. In a recent review, Karim and colleagues (2020) found that although social media can have some positive and enjoyable benefits, it’s also associated with anxiety and depression for some people. Although what predicts beneficial versus harmful effects of social media use is complex, a recent study of 385 Saudi Arabian participants found that social media that features likes, comments, and followers were most associated with poor mental health outcomes (Beyari, 2023).
Given the prolific use of social media in modern culture, why can it be harmful to our health? The answer is, in part, due to our need for human connection and our tendency to trust that others are honest.
Humans are naturally social creatures—we crave relationships and social interaction. According to some of the most prominent theories of human nature and extensive research, social interaction and feeling a sense of belonging to a........