Parents and grandparents may annoyingly complain about “that darned phone,” but their fear that the digital age is bad for their children isn’t unjustified. Although social media has been celebrated for helping with mental health acceptance, its perpetuation of greater mental health problems and misinformation makes it more harmful than helpful.
For example, calling the past the “good old days” might not be inaccurate: in recent years, people really have become more depressed. According to the National Institute of Health, depression rates nearly doubled in youth between 2009 and 2019. With only 5% of people using social media in 2005 compared to the 90% that used it in 2019, according to the Pew Research Center, it is hard to ignore the correlation between greater social media use and problems with mental health. Plus, there are multiple mental health conditions that have frequently been linked to social media — body dysmorphia and low self-esteem, for example.
Some social media proponents point to its role in making mental health easier to talk about. According to a 2021 study by Dr. Bernice A. Pescosolido et al., there was a significant decrease in mental health stigma in the U.S. from 1996 to 2018. The ease with which social media lets people share information and talk about their experiences undoubtedly helped with the greater acceptance of mental health disorders.
However, behind this improved acceptance is an increased rate of self-diagnosis. According to a survey by Becker’s Hospital Review, 44% of American adults have either self-diagnosed themselves or others with mental health disorders.
While some may argue that self-diagnosis is better than no diagnosis, this is a warped perspective. Most mental health self-checking tools are only correct 37% of the time on the first try, according to the medical journal The BMJ. This can be problematic for those who rely on those tools, since if they take an incorrect diagnosis at face value, it leaves actual conditions unchecked, and thus unresolved.
Self-diagnoses and amateur mental health content can provide a sense of community, as well as a cheap and accessible alternative for those who can’t access professional mental health services, but the potential harm isn’t worth it. Try to stay away from online armchair psychologists and seek experienced help. If cost is an issue, it’s completely free to talk to the counselors at school, and they might be able to help find an affordable way to see an external professional as well.
