Mental Health in the Digital Age: Facing Social Pressure on Social Media

In the digital era, social media such as Instagram and TikTok, offer and make things easier. But there are also parts that make social media a bad place if not used properly. To understand how social media affects mental health, it's important to compare its benefits and negative impacts with more in-depth examples.

Social media makes communication between individuals easier, especially for those who are far apart. Someone living abroad, can stay connected with their family through video calls or messages on WhatsApp. Social media also helps people build new connections through online communities. Social media provides space for creativity and new opportunities. TikTok, for example, has become a platform where people can express themselves through short videos. Many young creators have successfully demonstrated their talents, such as cooking, dancing, or painting, and gained recognition from a wide audience. Social  media also allows individuals to turn a hobby into a source of income, such as an amateur photographer who sells his work through Instagram.

However, social pressure on social media is also a serious problem. The pressure to get validation is a challenge faced by social media users. A lot of them will do everything to get recognition from  strangers on social media, even will do crime if they thought it needed. Many people feel that their popularity is measured by the number of "likes", comments, or followers they get. This feeling can make a person feel less appreciated, and even affect their confidence. There are also those who compare social posts. Many users feel that their lives are not good enough when they see posts from friends, celebrities, even strangers that show a luxurious lifestyle, ideal body, or great achievements. This can trigger feelings of inferiority, envy, and depression. Social media is also a space for cyberbullying. Digital bullying can occur through negative comments or direct messages that demean someone, and there are even those who send letters threatening to kill. Cyberbullying can lead to anxiety, depression, paranoia and even the desire to isolate oneself from cyberspace or even suicide.

Social media addiction is also becoming a common problem. often use of social media can disrupt daily routines, decrease productivity, and isolate a person from real-world interactions.

In comparison, the benefits of social media are often offset by their negative impact, depending on how they are used. Social media makes communication easier and provides space for creativity, but social pressure, addiction, and cyberbullying pose serious threats to mental health. To make the best benefits from social media, it is important for users to be more wise, such as managing the time of use and avoiding unrealistic social comparisons. With the right approach, social media can be a life-supporting tool without damaging mental health.