Social networks have undoubtedly changed our way of relating to others.
Knowing new people on these platforms is certainly easier, but the digital interactions that we build can also be more superficial.
In conversations via chat, for example, we are unable to know the body language of our interlocutor, to grasp the shades in the tone of the voice and other aspects of non -verbal communication. This leads to an impoverishment of communication with a consequent poor intimate connection with the other.
It is possible that this makes it easier to close the reports born online, which in fact are often interrupted with great lightness and without many explanations (ghosting).
The body on social networks is used as an object, a tool that must correspond to certain canons to be accepted and that must arouse a positive reaction in others (in terms of likes).
The relationships and the body are Two crucial themes for adolescencebut also very delicate. The teenager needs the comparison with the peer, to experiment in relationships, but must also learn to accept the changes of a body that physiologically is changing and is transforming into an adult body.
In this delicate moment of passage, the use of social networks and their grammar, what impact can it have?
The impact of social networks
The use of social media we know having a significant impact on the unusual perceived for one’s physical appearance and for one’s body, increasing the probability of developing eating disorders.
However, a debate on social networks is opened: some research have highlighted an increase risk to the psychological health of teenagers associated with the excessive time spent on social media, while others have not found any significant correlation.
Currently, the data we have, speak of a significant increase in depression in adolescence (Cataldo, J. et al; 2021) and at the same time, of an increase in the use of the media partners (Haidt, J. et al; 2020).
Depression and social media is there a correlation?
Although some studies have reported the benefits of the use of social media on the risk of developing depression, most of the studies speak of a significant positive correlation between time spent on social media and depression in adolescence.
This data could be explained by the fact that the time spent on social media can limit time for sports activities or face -to -face communication with other peers.
A very recent study (Mingli, L. et al; 2022) presents an interesting meta-analysis of 26 studies, mainly carried out in North America and Europe, to summarize the tests relating to the correlation between time spent on social media and depression in teenagers.
The results of this study say that teenagers with a time spent on high social networks show a 59.6% increase in risk of developing depression compared to the reference group. In addition, the risk of depression It seems to increase by 13% for each more hour of use of social media.
Another interesting fact is the strongest correlation for teenage girls rather than boys. The authors argue that this may be due:
- to the tendency of girls, compared to boys, to emphasize tight and intimate relationships (which would lead them to invest more and more time on social media in order to always keep in touch with other people);
- the humble risk of being harassed on social media.
How can we intervene?
The results that this study shows us are consistent with the WHO guidelines they recommend in adolescents, of limit the daily time spent on electronic devices Like tablets and smartphones.
Although further studies are needed, it is important that parents, teenagers and other caregivers are aware of the potential risk of the psychological health of use for a prolonged time of social media.
It would be advisable to promote more “analog interactions” rather than digital interactions, where relationships are consumed at the speed of light. Where you have the feeling of having to remain connected and updated on the lives of others who always appear perfect and often generate a deep sense of dissatisfaction.
The authors of the study also support that it would be useful to promote school policies that took into account the risk of prolonged use of these devices and develop guidelines for appropriate use of these technologies.
Bibliography
- Cataldo, i.; Lepri, B.; Neoh, Mjy; Esposito, G. Social Media Usage and Development of Psychiatric Disorders in Childhood and teenagence: a review. Front. Psychiatry 2021, 111332.
- HAIDT, J.; Allen, N. Digital Technology Under Scrutiny. Nature 2020, 578226–227
- Liu, M., Kamper-Demarco, Ke, Zhang, J., Xiao, J., Dong, D., & Xue, P. (2022). Time Specent on Social Media and Risk of Depression in teencesats: dose-dose of meta-analysis. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 19(9), 5164.
