A Detailed Analysis: How Social Media Impacts Health and Well-being

This essay delves into the pervasive influence of social media on individual health and well-being, examining both the positive and negative impacts. It begins by defining mass media and its various forms, highlighting how social media has evolved into an integral part of daily life. The essay explores how social media can affect mental health, leading to issues such as anxiety and depression due to social comparison and the pursuit of validation through likes and comments. It also discusses the Displaced Behavior Theory, which links sedentary social media use to mental distress and physical inactivity, contributing to conditions like cardiovascular diseases. Conversely, the essay acknowledges social media's potential for maintaining social connections and disseminating information, acting as a digital library. It further addresses the impact on teenagers, noting increased risks of mental distress and exposure to harmful content, while also recognizing its role in education and news dissemination. The essay concludes by advocating for a balanced approach to social media use, suggesting limited hours and mindful engagement to harness its benefits while mitigating its adverse effects.

How social media
impact health?

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................3
MAIN BODY...................................................................................................................................3
CONCLUSION................................................................................................................................3
REFERENCES................................................................................................................................4

INTRODUCTION
Today, social media has become a part of individual's daily activity (Richter and Kazley,
2020). Several individuals spend several hours each day on social media platforms such as
Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and on other apps. Thus, several scholars studied the impact of
social media on various aspects of individual's life (O’Reilly and et. al., 2019). As per the
statistics, there are 3.484 billion of social media users globally which are still growing by 9%
each day USA. Gov. (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7364393). Also, it has
been determined by gender distribution of audience of social media globally as of January 2020
sorted with help of quantitative methodology, it was found that there are 38% of males who like
use twitter, but 60% males preferred to use of Snap-chat. Well, in contrast, females preferred to
use Facebook and LinkedIn USA. Gov.
(https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7364393/). As there is no doubt, that social
media platforms have became essential part of our lives. This essay delineates understating of
terminology of mass-media and its type whereas it also discover impact of social media on
individual's health and well-being.
MAIN BODY
According to the respective journal, mas media includes television, radio, newspaper,
magazines, advertising, internet and so forth, which are utilised to communicate with mass of the
population (Wright and et. al., 2020). In past decades mass media were used as a source of
entertainment of people (Guintaand John, 2018). Social media have the ability to create culture.
Studies discovered that it is a medium of technology to reach bunch of people at the same time.
These platforms are generally governed by the government of the country and can broadcast
news in restricted manner. They are allowed to air information which are baseless (Ovaere and
et. al., 2018). Today's modern society do consider mass media plays an necessary role in
providing structure and shape to an individual's thought process and their individual character.
Mass media helps in informing people about latest news as a whole and also it is
considered as point of entertainment for people in past (O’Reilly and et. al., 2019).Another study
defined, it is considered as a instrument of “channel of communication”, it means individuals
send and receive information in regards with their filed of interest. It is known as one-to-many
communication (http://www.sociology.org.uk/notes/media_defined.pdf).

Mass Media is generally considered as impersonal, as it is one-way communication, in
which information is only passed (Wright and et. al., 2020). For example, one can disagree with
views of politician on the television, and can shout on them at their home. According to the
study, mass media is divided into four essential groups on basis of types of communication
which are Distance mass-media, Technology mass-media, Scale mass-media and Commodity
(http://www.sociology.org.uk/notes/media_defined.pdf). The distance mass-media involves
communication within those who are sender and also receivers at the same (Conway and
Chapman, 2019). For example, media-speak information, i.e., impersonal, one-way and less
immediacy. Technology mass-media needs an exporters.
Generally, most common exporters are vans, such as television receiver, an intervention
of printing. This allows information to be sent and received (Guintaand John, 2018). Whereas,
scale form of mass-media, it majorly focuses on the large amount of audience at the same time
(Lygidakis and et. al., 2021). For example, a broadcast of World cup, each people watch the
informational projection at mutual time, across the globe. Moreover, Commodity is determined
as an extraordinary feature of mass communication which requires cost. For example, setup box (
subscription based channels) or something like Netflix, Amazon Prime and others which have
their personal satellite or cable (Richter and Kazley, 2020).
Another study also concluded that newspaper is the original platform for mass media,
when there was no advanced technology that can pass information globally Ontaheen
(https://www.ontaheen.com/mass-media-essay). The audience relied on the writers and journals
for the latest news in present events. Soon, newspaper was replaced by substitution technology
which was radio. Families liked to spend quality of time while hearing to their preferred radio
station to acknowledge current affairs. Later, the invention which introduced among population
was television, which replaced radio and newspaper. Since the evolutional further lead to
introduction of internet and this innovation gained reliance of people. In recent times, it has
considered as major tool for news and current affair outlets.
According to study, it has been determined that mass media as a filter, whatever the
nation thinks and know about the society or indeed in regards with world in which all individuals
live, which we informed through mass media to people Ontaheen,
(https://www.ontaheen.com/mass-media-essay). Studies concluded that social media can majorly

impact on the mental health of an individual The President and Fellows of Harvard College
(https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/news/features/social-media-positive-mentalhealth).
A systematic review study concluded that social media is related to new phenomena. Its
have potential links within their use and health of an individual which determined as harmful.
The researcher concluded that the most common outcome which prevailed due to high use of
social media are anxieties and depression (O’Reilly and et. al., 2019). People like to make
comment and like people's feed or post. Well not achieving reactions which are likes or
comments makes an individual to feel low and may reduce their self-esteem of an individual.
This fall in confidence can lead a person to deal with mental health complications, The President
and Fellows of Harvard College (https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/news/features/social-media-
positive-mental-health).
The social networking is a critical and crucial element in saving an individual health
factor (Cabrera and et. al., 2017). It can include both quantity and quality that can affect mental
health of person, behaviour of a person, risk of mortality as well as physical health of people
(Social Media Use and Its Connection to Mental Health: A Systematic Review, 2020). Study
concluded that the Displaced Behaviour Theory, helps in identifying the reasons how social
media associated with mental distress (Conway and Chapman, 2019). The theory continues with
individual who spend quality of time in sedentary behaviour such as using social media and
making little socialisation can affect their mental health.
The studies also underpin the factor how an individual's physical health affected due to
social media. The study of 2019 conducted and found that people, who use social media
platforms each day, at least 5 times a day who generally expose to physical inactivity which
affects their physical health and promotes diseases such as cardiovascular diseases, strokes and
so on. The President and Fellows of Harvard College
(https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/news/features/social-media-positive-mental-health). On the other
hand, another research determined that how social media can change one's views, maintain and
interact along with their social network. The President and Fellows of Harvard
College(https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/news/features/social-media-positive-mental-health,
2020).
On other hand it has been found by social theories that digital platforms such as usage
Facebook, Instagram and YouTube that may be associated with negative influence that consist

of fear, phases of depression, anxiety and also mental stress causing factors The President and
Fellows of Harvard College, (https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/news/features/social-media-
positive-mental-health). It has been determined through studies that social media platforms can
also induce a lot of pressure, in order to develop a stereotype perception for others wish
(Lygidakis and et. al., 2021).
People generally compare themselves and their lifestyles as what they see on social
media that makes them to change their choices and preferences on the basis of their chosen role
model Taylor and Francis group,
(https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/02673843.2019.1590851). Social media can
influence an individual's either in negative or positive. It can majorly impact on the physical as
well as mental health of a person. For example, it has been found that people who usually spend
maximum amount of time on social media platforms, can interrupt their sleep pattern which
directly effect on their mental as well as physical health of a person Taylor and Francis group,
(https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/02673843.2019.1590851). It can also effect on
their dietary habitat. As per the report, it has been found that individuals also using social media
while eating (Sharma, John and Sahu, 2020). It can reduce their capacity of eating and resultant
one can not achieve required vitamins and minerals.
In teens, this factor can interrupt their development and personal growth (Richter and
Kazley, 2020). Whereas, on the other hand, the social media platforms are the source of
information worldwide. It helps in providing knowledge and awareness to population. It
considered as digital library for each individual (Richter and Kazley, 2020). But it is not possible
that whatever an individual see on social media platforms, will be true and good for their health.
Studies confirmed that people who daily watch sensitive news, may also feel depressive
symptoms, fear and fragile as compared to people who use less amount of social media platforms
(Richter and Kazley, 2020).
People who use social media platform in healthy manner can improve their health and
can overcome with negative drawbacks by only expanding their knowledge and influencing our
thoughts and views, Taylor and Francis group
(https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/02673843.2019.1590851). Studies concluded that
the healthy manner if using social media platforms can be suggested by considering limited
hours for usage, hence it can helpful to enhance person's knowledge (Wright and et. al., 2020).

According to the report, use of social media can largely impact on teens, which can distract them
Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, ( (https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-
lifestyle/tween-and-teen-health/in-depth/teens-and-social-media-use/art-20474437).
The sensitive content on social media platform can negatively influence teen's views and
opinions in respect to any theory. Such as negative and positive views in regards with politics,
dark web content and other which results to exposing them rumour spreading, unrealistic views,
bullying and so on. Risk factors are related to hours spent by teens on social media platforms
Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research,
(https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/02673843.2019.1590851).
A study of 2019 delineated that more than 6,500 teens age group of 12-15 year old in UK
determined that those individual who spent more than four hours to social media-might be at
high risks of mental distress. Another study concluded that in England, more than 12,000 teens
of age group 13-17 year old, using social media more than four time a day can be predicated as
poor psychological health and well-being in teenagers Mayo Foundation for Medical Education
and Research, (https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/tween-and-teen-health/in-depth/
teens-and-social-media-use/art-20474437). In addition, the study of 2013, found that cell phones
are interconnected with depressive signs and symptoms.
Another, a small 2013 study determined that just watching others on social media such
as Facebook and Instagram, reported the connections with life dissatisfaction Mayo Foundation
for Medical Education and Research, (https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/tween-and-
teen-health/in-depth/teens-and-social-media-use/art-20474437). In contrast, those who interact
with other, post photos might not feel this sort of feelings. Whereas, an older study which studied
the impact of social media on undergraduate students state that longer they use social media, the
stronger was their thought that they are less happy. They also experience loss of studies which is
considered concerning issue of undergraduates.
But more they go outing with their friends, the lesser they felt in this way Mayo
Foundation for Medical Education and Research, (<https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-
lifestyle/tween-and-teen-health/in-depth/teens-and-social-media-use/art-20474437>). In teens,
use of social media can induce feeling of jealousy and comparison with other, also it can also
become a barrier in development of an individual and also effect their upbringing (O’Reilly and

et. al., 2019).Despite of negative impacts, studies concluded as there are positive impacts of
social media as well.
It can promote better education associated with younger age. For example, The Sky
News in UK, is a channel which delivers breaking news and top stories from business. Hence,
from past decades, it is in the profession. As per the studies, it has been determined that the
social media theories which are used by “The Sky News” magic bullet theory and multi-step
flow theory. These approaches will be helpful to reach maximum people. It will allow flexibility,
an individual will free to know about current affairs by just using app of the channel Dataminr,
(https://www.dataminr.com/resources/sky-news-case-study). It is helpful to reach out maximum
population at one time globally and can able to pass information to each person. Innovation in
broadcasting news are the strategies which are used by this channel, in order to attract its fan
base (O’Reilly and et. al., 2019).
Moreover, the Sky News Channel deliver 24 hours news which allows their audience to
insights and analysis of current latest news Digital Zest
(https://www.skymedia.co.uk/channels/sky-news). These new innovations in broadcasting of
news are considered to be effective approach of media channel. It also includes broadcasting live
channels in their particular application Free-view and also in Sky Homes (Lygidakis and et. al.,
2021). Report also state that other approaches which can concluded Sky News Radio, Social,
Digital and development of portfolio which have same motive to reach out maximum number of
audience Digital Zest (https://www.skymedia.co.uk/channels/sky-news).
The rational motive of using these approaches can be determined acknowledging what is
happening within country and rest important events (O’Reilly and et. al., 2019). Also, as there
are other competitors of Sky News so maintaining and increasing its brand recognition can be a
strong motive to use these innovative approaches (Conway and Chapman, 2019). As per the
studies, it has been determined that social media enables to sum up value to particular
stakeholders in a way which can help them to communicate with audience Digital Zest (
https://www.skymedia.co.uk/channels/sky-news/). These approaches are termed to be effective
which helped The Sky News to increase their organic ranking on google.
CONCLUSION
Overall, it has been concluded that mass media and social media are the source of
entertainment and knowledge for people since decades. They are well known digital platforms

which are being used to communicate people, to inform people and also to educate people.
People may achieve negative feedback if they are using social media in high amount. Limited
use can debits positive impacts such as increasing knowledge, educating ourselves, knowing
about nations and so on. In which the negative impacts of social media are considered as
interconnection with mental distress such as Depression, Anxiety, life expectancy and so on.

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