Please also go through the following RG links.

Article Use of multiple social media platforms and symptoms of depre...

Article No More FOMO: Limiting Social Media Decreases Loneliness and...

Article Online social networking addiction and depression: The resul...

Article The association between Facebook addiction and depression: A...

Article Online Social Networking and Mental Health

Dear Dr Sharma

It is sensitive issue and prevalent nowadays. Everyone is effected by it like the rain during Monsoon season. Social media has impact on health and productivity. People very close are far and people at distance are United. As RG members we are connected around the Globe and sharing our ideas and get insights from experts and mentors. Excess usage pose stress, consume time and misalignment to the goals to be accomplished. Best wishes and Regards

Bodh

Excessive social media use can not only cause unhappiness and a general dissatisfaction with life in users, but also increase the risk of developing mental health issues such as anxiety and depression.

multiple studies have found a strong link between heavy social media and an increased risk for depression, anxiety, loneliness, self-harm, and even suicidal thoughts. Social media may promote negative experiences such as: Inadequacy about your life or appearance.

Studies have shown excessive social media use can lead to feelings of depression and dependency in some people. "When we get on social media, we are looking for affirmation, and consciously or not, we are comparing our life to the lives of others," he says. "As a result, we may not enjoy what's in the moment."

Social media and mobile devices may lead to psychological and physical issues, such as eyestrain and difficulty focusing on important tasks. They may also contribute to more serious health conditions, such as depression. The overuse of technology may have a more significant impact on developing children and teenagers.

Technology has been explored as a mood-regulator device; it has the ability to change a user's mental and emotional state. It affects how we feel and behave, allows us to better relate to others and achieve our goals.

According to Anxiety.org, researchers found that smartphone use was “associated with symptoms of anxiety and depression, as well as increased stress. The more participants used their smartphones, the more likely they were to experience symptoms associated with these disorders and report being stressed.”

recent research has shown that some people experience significant stress and anxiety when they are separated from their phones and can even exhibit withdrawal like symptoms, comparable to those usually seen when someone has an addiction.

In terms of the relationship between screen use and physical and mental health outcomes, there have been several studies that suggest higher levels of screen use in children and adolescents is associated with reduced physical activity, increased risk of depression, and lower wellbeing.

In several recent studies, teenage and young adult users who spend the most time on Instagram, Facebook and other platforms were shown to have a substantially (from 13 to 66 percent) higher rate of reported depression than those who spent the least time.

Modern tech has gained such a presence in our lives that it's easy to become addicted to social media and smartphone use to the point it starts impacting our relaxation and sleep. In turn, this causes even more stress to build up through the day, resulting in a cycle of stress accumulation.

Human beings need face-to-face contact to be mentally healthy. Nothing reduces stress and boosts your mood faster or more effectively than eye-to-eye contact with someone who cares about you. The more you prioritize social media interaction over in-person relationships, the more you’re at risk for developing or exacerbating mood disorders such as anxiety and depression.

A study at the University of Pennsylvania found that high usage of Facebook, Snapchat, and Instagram increases rather decreases feelings of loneliness. Conversely, the study found that reducing social media usage can actually make you feel less lonely and isolated and improve your overall wellbeing.

Fear of missing out (FOMO). While FOMO has been around far longer than social media, sites such as Facebook and Instagram seem to exacerbate feelings that others are having more fun or living better lives than you are. The idea that you’re missing out on certain things can impact your self-esteem, trigger anxiety, and fuel even greater social media use. FOMO can compel you to pick up your phone every few minutes to check for updates, or compulsively respond to each and every alert—even if that means taking risks while you’re driving, missing out on sleep at night, or prioritizing social media interaction over real world relationships.

Your heavy social media use could be masking other underlying problems, such as stress, depression, or boredom. If you spend more time on social media when you’re feeling down, lonely, or bored, you may be using it as a way to distract yourself from unpleasant feelings or self-soothe your moods. While it can be difficult at first, allowing yourself to feel can open you up to finding healthier ways to manage your moods.

Spending more time on social media than with real world friends. Using social media has become a substitute for a lot of your offline social interaction. Even if you’re out with friends, you still feel the need to constantly check social media, often driven by feelings that others may be having more fun than you.

Comparing yourself unfavorably with others on social media. You have low self-esteem or negative body image. You may even have patterns of disordered eating.

Experiencing cyberbullying. Or you worry that you have no control over the things people post about you.

Having no time for self-reflection. Every spare moment is filled by engaging with social media, leaving you little or no time for reflecting on who you are, what you think, or why you act the way that you do—the things that allow you to grow as a person.

Engaging in risky behavior in order to gain likes, shares, or positive reactions on social media. You play dangerous pranks, post embarrassing material, cyberbully others, or access your phone while driving or in other unsafe situations.

Suffering from sleep problems. Do you check social media last thing at night, first thing in the morning, or even when you wake up in the night? The light from phones and other devices can disrupt your sleep, which in turn can have a serious impact on your mental health.

Worsening symptoms of anxiety or depression. Rather than helping to alleviate negative feelings and boost your mood, you feel more anxious, depressed, or lonely after using social media.

According to an article by Harvard University researcher Trevor Haynes, when you get a social media notification, your brain sends a chemical messenger called dopamine along a reward pathway, which makes you feel good.

Encourages anti-social behaviour.

Dear Salman you shared ocean of ideas with waves of wisdom.

Gratitude

Bodh

Fondest thanks Dr.Bodh R Sharma for ur appreciation with my best regards

Dear Salman ji, Thanks for sharing valuable insights 🙏🏻🙏🏻

Dear Bodh Raj ji,

Thanks for recognising the wonderful views shared by Prof. Salman.

Over dose of every good or bad thing always badly affected brain status

Excess of everything is bad. If you have time you can get touch with RG and share your knowledge with others.

Dear Tripathi and Panhwar ji,

Very true, balanced use of gadgets is must for better results.👍🏻👍🏻

If you do not go into medical characteristics, then yes. Like any other type of activity, working in social networks creates a special psycho-emotional mood. Which, if ignored, can affect mental health.

Regards, Pushkin Sergey Viktorovich

Absolitely yes ☹️

Yes, overuse of social media increases risk for anxiety and depression.

Article A systematic review: the influence of social media on depres...

Article Effects of Social Media on Mental Health: A Review

Bodh R Sharma absolutely overuse of social media affects mental health

Please also go through the following RG links.

Article Use of multiple social media platforms and symptoms of depre...

Article No More FOMO: Limiting Social Media Decreases Loneliness and...

Article Online social networking addiction and depression: The resul...

Article The association between Facebook addiction and depression: A...

Article Online Social Networking and Mental Health

Yes, the overuse of social media has many negative effects on mental health, such as short temper, depression, anxiety, tiredness, etc.

Likely

Unfortunately, yes, the excessive use of social media places human in a closed world and psychological pressures that have negative effects on their behaviour and conduct.

Dear Researchers Ahmed, Sadiq, Rehman, Arvind, Ghoshal, Jelena, and Pushkin,

A big thank for your valuable comments.

Dear Prof. Sharma!

YOU spotted an important point. Especially from the viewpoint of COVID-19:

1) Shweta Singh et al. (2020). Is compulsive social media use amid COVID-19 pandemic addictive behavior or coping mechanism? Letter to the Editor Asian Journal of Psychiatry 54 (2020), Elsevier Public Health Emergency Collections, Open Access © 2020 Elsevier B.V Available at:

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7338858/

2) Dana Rose Garfin (2020). "Technology as a coping tool during the COVID‐19 pandemic: Implications and recommendations" 6 August 2020, STRESS & HEALTH Open Access © 2020 John Wiley & Sons Ltd. Available at:

Article Technology as a Coping Tool during the COVID‐19 Pandemic: Im...

3) Bu Zhong, Yakun Huang, Qian Liu.(2021). Mental health toll from the coronavirus: Social media usage reveals Wuhan residents’ depression and secondary trauma in the COVID-19 outbreak. Computers in Human Behavior, 2021 Volume 114, Open Access © 2020 Elsevier Ltd. Available at:

Article Mental health toll from the coronavirus: Social media usage ...

Based on the findings I consider this to be a problem that can escalate further.

Yours sincerely, Bulcsu Szekely

It is a question of balance. As long as you are able to respond to your real (physical) environments, I see no problem. If you can only use virtual windows for communication, then a pathological pathway is unavoidable, in the longer run.

Dear Szekely,

Thanks for sharing loads of information.

Dear Ternyik,

Thanks for your comments

It is not the question of mental health but the mind comes under contemplation which may tie with the rethinking sometime quite often in their mental attitude . It is in this line some years back I have touched this problem covering also Internet to mobile for the routine environment & also for media for which I submit herewith for your perusal

The research of every electronic instrument right from Internet to mobile which different devices for facilitating  other users in it have made such instrument a luxury of pocket . Now day this have become so much common that it has reach to hawkers or the servant or sweeper of the community .

The question comes before us as for the social environment & also for global whether we all are on the right track .It has also been observed that for fake information by unknown person of negative tendency create also a mischievous problems. 

Besides children from primary age level to school have become addicted to such type of devices .For this it is even parents or elderly remembrance can proudly overlook such instrument in the hand of such small children with this internet in the hands of office goal,businessman while traveling are also interested & anxious to work on the internet instead of observing the beauties of nature or social atmosphere .

Whether such instrument in the hands of users have to perform & also observe themselves whether they are on the right track for the inner development or to remain their mind only on their working environment & their problems

This is my personal opinion 

Indeed! This kind of repetitive brhavior may lead to misuse of the internet and technology. Eventually, it will cause poor time-management and unhealthy daily routine and habits.

Please see this link

Article Online Social Networking and Mental Health

Multiple studies have found a strong link between heavy social media and an increased risk for depression, anxiety, loneliness, self-harm, and even suicidal thoughts. Social media may promote negative experiences such as: Inadequacy about your life or appearance.

https://www.helpguide.org/articles/mental-health/social-media-and-mental-health.htm

While social media platforms can have their benefits, using them too frequently can make you feel increasingly unhappy and isolated in the long run.

The constant barrage of perfectly filtered photos that appear on Instagram are bound to knock many people’s self-esteem, while obsessively checking your Twitter feed just before bed could be contributing towards poor quality of sleep.

https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.independent.co.uk/life-style/health-and-families/social-media-mental-health-negative-effects-depression-anxiety-addiction-memory-a8307196.html%3famp

Memory. Social media can be great for looking back fondly on memories and recounting how past events occurred. However, it can also distort the way in which you remember certain tidbits from your life. Many of us are guilty of spending far too much time trying to take the perfect photo of a visual marvel, all the while not actually absorbing the firsthand experience of witnessing it with your own two eyes.

“If we direct all of our attention toward capturing the best shots for our social media followers to admire, less will be available to enjoy other aspects of the experience in real time,”

“Spending too much time on our phones will detract from those other aspects of the experience, undermining the happiness we could be gleaning from them.”

https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.independent.co.uk/life-style/health-and-families/social-media-mental-health-negative-effects-depression-anxiety-addiction-memory-a8307196.html%3famp

I agree with previous answers of Zorica Popović .

Sleep. Having enough sleep is of paramount importance. However, many of us use our phones too soon before choosing the hit the hay, making it harder to doze off. “Getting worked up with anxiety or envy from what we see on social media keeps the brain on high alert, preventing us from falling asleep,”

“Plus, the light from our mobile device just inches from our face can suppress the release of melatonin, a hormone that helps us feel tired.”

Try setting yourself a strict rule of not going on your phone for at least 40 minutes to an hour before going to bed, and see if that makes a difference to the quality of your sleep.

https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.independent.co.uk/life-style/health-and-families/social-media-mental-health-negative-effects-depression-anxiety-addiction-memory-a8307196.html%3famp

Dear All,

Thanks from the bottom of my heart for sharing your valuable insights.

Yes,it does.Addiction of social media is an over dose.It turns from its positive benefits to be a source of disturbance and distruction that may affect people's mental health.

I would offer the hypothesis that some people will experience a dependency upon social media and some will not. Social media fulfils an important function during the current pandemic, but it also provides a forum for a great deal of negativity. I have seen some people utilize social media to find biological family members and improve through doing so. Others have become aware of personal growth and cultural activities through social media. But other seem to become stuck in many activities just because they are "anti" something else. One important question would seem to identifying the characteristics of people who develop unhealthy dependencies whether that be to social media, opioids, gambling, food, etc., etc. In a time of pandemic as well as internet dating, it might be an interesting time to conduct research into whether healthy connections can be formed and/or maintained via social media to the degree they can be otherwise. I tend to doubt the ability of cell phones and the internet to be an as healthy replacement for in person interaction but I can as why some may prefer it. I am reminded of people who found it easier and safer to call anonymous hotlines rather than go to a counselor, among others.

Fear of missing out (FOMO). While FOMO has been around far longer than social media, sites such as Facebook and Instagram seem to exacerbate feelings that others are having more fun or living better lives than you are. The idea that you’re missing out on certain things can impact your self-esteem, trigger anxiety, and fuel even greater social media use. FOMO can compel you to pick up your phone every few minutes to check for updates, or compulsively respond to each and every alert—even if that means taking risks while you’re driving, missing out on sleep at night, or prioritizing social media interaction over real world relationships. https://www.helpguide.org/articles/mental-health/social-media-and-mental-health.htm

Cyberbullying. About 10 percent of teens report being bullied on social media and many other users are subjected to offensive comments. Social media platforms such as Twitter can be hotspots for spreading hurtful rumors, lies, and abuse that can leave lasting emotional scars. https://www.helpguide.org/articles/mental-health/social-media-and-mental-health.htm

I totally agree with Chinaza Godswill Awuchi

Dear Nadia, Hilding, Awuchi Raya

I appreciate your contribution in sharing your valuable views.

Kind regards

Dear Naresh Kumar Sharma Definitely the excess use of everything is bad when it exceeded the optimum limit.

social conciousness.

Dear Zorica,Tanvir, Diena and Djila,

Thanks for sharing your views.

Dear Naresh Kumar Sharma,

I feel that the mode of use of anything is the key factor of whether it has a positive or negative effect on mental health.

We know reading books is a good habit. But, what book someone is reading is a vital point. Depends on motive of the reader. The same book or film has different impact on different persons.

Similarly, the social media is a great opportunity to do something good.

But, many people takes social media just as a platform of spending time and make themselves burden of Society.

On the other hand , I have seen many persons who use social media as a platform of expressing their creativity.

So, that is the sole idea of using anything .

Thanks and Regards

N Das

Yes ...because today social media covered with manipulated fake and biased news for enhancing trp

Yes, and the opposite is also true. Please go through these papers:

Preprint Followers of School Shooting Online Communities in Russia: A...

Preprint Social Media Content Preferences and Non-Suicidal Self-Injur...

Please take a look at these links:

Article Is social media bad for mental health and wellbeing? Explori...

Article IMPACT OF SOCIAL MEDIA ON MENTAL HEALTH OF STUDENTS