What is the leading cause of depression among youth? Depression and anxiety are the most common issues, especially in young adults. Many studies state that the percentage of mental problems is higher in teens. We tend to observe more depression cases in the world after the stigma around depression is more relaxed. How does social media contribute to teenage depression? Social media is the leading cause of depression in teens. More than 92% of teenagers own a smartphone, which they use regularly. Social media culture is rising, and most people spend most of their spare time on social media.
There are a lot of benefits to social media. However, there are equal perks and drawbacks of being on social media. In the past ten years or so, digital platforms have gained rapid success. People have more exposure to the world than they had in the last decade. We all believe that the world is a global village as we all are more connected than ever. What percentage of depression is caused by social media? Social media’s excessive use drives almost 13% to 66% of depression in youth.
We all tend to compare ourselves and our flaws with people on social media. The growing toxic environment on social media platforms continues to affect people’s mental health. Other factors contribute to depression, but social media is on the hotline at the moment.
How social media causes depression?
We all are on social media, and someone who does not have a social media account does not seem to fit in the society. There are numerous disadvantages to having a social media presence, but we cannot ignore its drawbacks. Let’s have a look at why social media is causing distress in teenagers and how to combat it:
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Body image issues
Does social media cause low self-esteem? We all see fancy models and influential people on social media. We seem to have our personal favourites that we follow on social media. The increase of social exposure and insight into people’s lives has caused us to be more judgmental.
We see all the flawless models on social media while we are on our bed chilling. We tend to compare ourselves with influential personalities. We get serious self-esteem issues when we compare our bodies or face with these people.
However, it is crucial to understand that all famous personalities have a team that works on their looks. They put up the best picture on social media that goes through a massive process of editing. We must not compare ourselves, and it is damaging to have an unrealistic expectation for your mental health.
1. Feeling unfulfilled
We all have been in a phase of our life where we feel unsatisfied with everything we have and experience in general. It can be incredibly triggering when we see people’s fancy lives on social media when we are having a dull moment.
The best solution to not feel so low about your life is to unfollow people who give you anxiety. You should never idealize people with fancy lives and have unrealistic expectations. You must remember what you see on social media is not even half the reality. There are a lot of imperfections in people’s lives that they do not show on social media.
2. The sense of failure
Do you feel like a loser when someone your age has the things you don’t? We all feel a sense of failure when we do not get the things we aspire to get, and other people are already there. We see everyone achieving something, and we tend to question ourselves and our ability to accomplish things. Self-doubt is normal, but we should not let it compromise our mental health. It is crucial to make yourself mentally stronger to endure challenges in life.
A quick remedy that can help you get past your hard day is CBD products. CBD products include chemical complexes that help you naturally cope with mental issues. The CBD edibles for anxiety and CBD drinks are available in the stores easily. You can add natural products to your daily life to help you cope and make you stronger.
3. Sleep deprivation
We are all guilty of binge-watching a series and spending too much time on social media. 70% of people in the world sleep later than usual because they spend too much time on social media. The biggest drawback of sleeping late is that you can feel depressed and anxious because of the lack of sleep.
When you are more energized, you tend to feel less anxious or stressed. Our excessive time on social media can cause other physical health limitations as well. You tend to get bags and dark circles under your eyes. Did you know lack of sleep can cause hair fall also?
To improve your mental health and energy levels, it is excellent to take the time off social media. You should engage in activities that require less screen-time. It is essential to focus on your physical and mental health. You must restrict yourself from comparing your life and appreciate all the positive things you already have in your life.
