Lindsey Pulse
In Obvious News: Social Media Sharing Is All About Your Social Cred
Other people's opinions drive what we share on Facebook.
LEARN MOREMay 23, 2017
Instagram could be really, really bad for young people's mental health.
A public health education group in England recently looked at how five major social media sites impact things like anxiety, depression and body image.
YouTube was the only site young people said had a net positive impact on their health.
But they reported Instagram had the most negative average impact on well-being.
Those surveyed said Instagram made them feel worse about their body images and led to a lack of sleep and increased FOMO, or fear of missing out.
One specific contributor could be body-enhancing filters often used on Instagram. One user said they can make girls feels "as if their bodies aren't good enough."
The researchers say studies like these are important as social media becomes more popular. A study from 2012 found social media is harder to resist than cigarettes and alcohol.
But there is some good news. Social media may help young people build communities of emotional support, be more comfortable expressing themselves and maintain relationships.
