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For Young People: How Spending More Time On Social Media Makes You Depressed And Ruins Your Sleep

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A recent study found that the time you spend on social media may be related to depression and sleep quality. Take a look to find out the reasons and advice from professionals.

 

University College London recently published the result of a study on the mental health of young people. It is found that girls tend to spend much more time than boys on social media platforms such as Facebook, Snapchat, Instagram and Whatsapp. This may be one of the reasons why more girl suffers from depression than boys.

 

The possible explanations are listed below:

  • Seeing people sharing only the positive side of life makes them feel inferior

  • Being anxious about the ‘likes’ they get and keeping up their online image

  • Staying up late to use social media

  • Being woken up by phone notification

 

A study conducted by Psychologist Melissa G. Hunt from the University of Pennsylvania also showed that limiting the use on social media can help lowering depression and loneliness. She explained that social media takes away time that can be used for other activities, such as working, hanging out with friends, and other activities that make people feel connected and fosters self-esteem.

 

Professionals have given some advice on this situation:

  1. Acknowledge the fact that people have their negative side of life as well but will not post it on social media- so you are not inferior

  2. Limit the time that you/ your children spend on the phone

  3. Put your phone away from your bed before you go to bed

  4. Focus what’s around you in the world and your ‘real’ connections with friends

 

Know more about the UCL study: https://www.scmp.com/news/world/europe/article/2180729/depression-girls-linked-greater-time-spent-social-media

 

Know more about the UPenn study:

https://yp.scmp.com/news/features/article/111155/limiting-your-facebook-instagram-and-snapchat-use-can-lower-depression

 

Know more about the mental health of teenagers:

https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/health-environment/article/2165579/depression-anxiety-rife-among-university-students

 

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