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Gauri Shah

English 1201

Professor Sandra Riley

13 July 2020

Mental Illnesses and Media: The Negative Effects

Social media. The internet. Videos and pictures. These are all inevitable parts of modern-

day life. With increased speeds in physical transportation, people and goods can travel faster and

to places never touched before, as can data and media. There is transportation with airplanes

which soar through the clouds as well as digital information and data being transported through

the cloud. With the click of a button, or the tap on a screen, a message, picture, video, or other

form can be sent to anyone, anywhere in the world. Once it is out there, it is out there for good.

People all around the world can access this one thing. People have the need to communicate and

interact with other people; it’s a natural instinct and what keeps us alive. With this need in the

industrialized and digitized world, social media had become a way for people to communicate

quickly and effectively, and day to day letter writing and talking has decreased. This lessened

physical contact between people, and instead contact through a smartphone or computer screen,

has shown to be beneficial, but also detrimental, especially to the mental health of users of these

interfaces. With positive information, news, family photos, and more shared on social media,

there are negative outlets out there, that can be damaging to a mind, young or old. This relatively

new platform is constantly developing, but research has been done to address the following

question: How are teenagers who spend more time on social media and the internet more or less

susceptible to depression, anxiety, personality disorders, and eating disorders? Teenagers, young

adults, as well as older adults, who spend extended amounts of time on social media and the
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internet are susceptible to mental illnesses such as depression, anxiety, personality, and eating

disorders. This is due to altered body image, societal norms regarding weight, a feeling of

exclusion, fabricated false realities, and lessened physical human contact.

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hundreds of pictures of a beautiful model, oftentimes which are airbrushed and edited, it can

create a muddled identity of self-image and be a catalyst for mental illnesses. In terms of eating

disorders, Carrie Hunnicutt of the Clementine Programs, states that social media creates an

“unrealistic perception of body image”.

More than 70% of teens visit social media each day, with 72% using Instagram daily

(Hunnicutt). Additionally, according Hunnicutt, within children only 12 years of age, 69% own

smartphones, and thus have access to social media. Just a decade ago, 12-years-old children were

playing outside, riding bikes, reading, and doing art. It is not to say that children nowadays don’t

do that, but statistically, they are more exposed to “adult” activities that children many years ago.

The sheer quantity in which social media, especially that where millions of pictures are

shared each and every day, can create a monopoly on what young people see. Many of the
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accounts they follow or pictures that show up on their feeds are heavily photoshopped or edited

to look picture perfect, with the perfect background, and the subject of the picture having perfect

skin. Hunnicutt also states that many pictures are edited. Additionally, some accounts are fake

and run by bots: “a software program that mimics the actions of a real human being using

artificial intelligence, text mining, and data analysis software”, according to Responsival, a

marketing, design, and web development company. These are robots using algorithms to show

certain demographics certain things. This is an aspect of social media that is prevalent and can

pop up and seem real, which can be negative for young minds scrolling endlessly through social

media. This altered body image is a big factor that fits into the manifestation of mental illnesses,

such as eating disorders.

When it comes to anything in life, society as a whole has its opinions on it. It is next to

impossible to escape these opinions and they subconsciously linger in everyone’s minds- this is

called unconscious bias. These norms have led some communities to form called

pro-anorexia (pro-ana) and pro-bulimia (pro-mia) sites that perpetuate and encourage these

eating disorders. According to Kristen Depowski and Kelly Hart on behalf of the Royal College

of Psychiatrists, these websites “advocate anorexia nervosa or bulimia nervosa as a lifestyle

choice rather than a serious mental disorder.” These websites give tips, model pictures, and

chatrooms to supposedly help people adopt these “lifestyles”. This is extremely unhealthy and

shows the activity that happens on the backend of the internet that may not be obvious but can be

very detrimental to anyone’s body image and mental health. These are important considerations

to take into account when dealing with social media and the internet.

Naysayers and those opposed to these facts are often called in by misconceptions. A

misconception when it comes to social media’s effects on mental health is that it is a choice. It is
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simply not a choice. According to Nation Eating Disorders Organization, “[t]he causes of an

eating disorder are complex. Current thinking by eating disorder researchers and clinical experts

holds that eating disorders are caused by both genetic and environmental factors; they are bio-

sociocultural diseases. A societal factor (like the media-driven thin body ideal) is an example of

an environmental trigger that has been linked to increased risk of developing an eating disorder.”

These factors have been discussed, and when thought about, it is obvious that eating disorders

are not a choice. These misconceptions lead to false portrayals of eating disorders and a stigma

gas developed in the world. This is why is important to be educated and learn information about

these topics that are so prevalent in society today.

Humans are social creatures by nature. Humans thrive on personal interactions and

making relationships. But throughout life, people often feel excluded from friend groups, family,

or society in general. It is important for children and young people to have meaningful and

strong relationships in their formative years. However, children are receiving smartphones and

access to social media and the internet at younger and younger ages. Carrie Hunnicutt says “69%

of children have their own smartphones by age 12, up from 41% in 2015”, meaning that children

as young as 6th or 7th grade have smartphones. This is also the age where bullying, lacking self-

confidence, and puberty kicks in for most. Although this age of children may make friends at

school and through extracurricular activities, the smartphones are a distraction. Hunnicutt also

says that “Social media can easily make someone feel excluded. Seeing your friends doing

something fun without you, or even seeing total strangers appearing to have a great time, can

cause you to feel left out.” This can cause people to fall into depression, feeling like no one cares

about them or wants to spend time with them. With extended periods of isolation, and not having

people to talk to or be supported by can be damaging to self-esteem, as talking and working

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through problems is a vital part of life. So social media, with the ability to leave people out

without directly leaving people out can lead to depression and anxiety, as well as lowered self-

esteem.

A topic along the lines of feeling excluded is forming a different personality and reality

online. Anyone can be anyone online, and this creates a clean slate. But if people create certain

profiles online and they do not match to those that exist offline, it can create not only a

personality disorder, but just cause someone to be depressed because their life is not what they

want it to be. According to ReachOut, such “episodes arise when a person experiences a

significantly altered or distorted perception of reality” (ReachOut.com). This means that if

people spend too much time working on their fake and fabricated profiles, such things can

happen.

Additionally, according to Igor Pantic, MD, PhD, of the School of Medicine at the

University of Belgrade in Belgrade, Serbia, there are over “one billion active users” on social

networking sites such as Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook. Dr. Pantic states that “some

researchers have associate online social networking with several psychiatric disorders, including

depressive symptoms, anxiety, and low self-esteem.” The abundance of social media around the

world causes everyone to be connected, but this can also lead to everyone to compare themselves

to each other, thinking they are not good enough, including in social settings, where they may

not be invited or feel welcome. In a research conducted by the Serbian Library Consortium for

Coordinated Acquisition, as search was done “using a total of 50 different keywords related to

social networking and mental health” (Pantic 2). Some words used were “Facebook”, “Twitter”,

“Depression”, and “self-esteem” (Pantic 2). This shows the explicit connection between the

social media and mental health, and the fact that users of social media acknowledge it.
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The negative effects of media on mental health is seen in people not only in the United

States, but around the world as well. A prevalent case study was done by Soyoung Kim of

Columbia University, who discussed body dissatisfaction in South Korean women. All genders

have pressures when it comes to physical appearance, but in this particular situation, women are

discussed. Kim says “[b]ecause of western influences on Asian Culture, Asian women value

thinness, which has led to a rise in eating disorders among them” (Kim 1). Kim goes on to state

that “[t]he perception that think bodies are desirable leads to an exaggerated ideal, largely

promoted by the media and celebrities” (Kim 2). As we have seen in the former part of this

essay, children and young people start learning these societal ideals, which are proven to be

nearly universal by this study. The influence of Western culture has created a rift between

healthy and ideal and this can lead to many eating disorders and low self-esteem which can cause

a person to plunge into depression or anxiety. Kim continues to prove her ideas with a

sociocultural theory that states that in most fashion and lifestyle related magazines and articles,

there is a stereotype being portrayed of the ‘perfect’ body with perfect features. The feminist

side, or rather the antithesis of feminism, of this theory also stereotypes gender roles; men being

the providers and women acting as caregivers. If women don’t fit either role, thin or caregiver, a

study by J. Lee done in 2012, found “a positive correlation between such magazines … and body

dissatisfaction” (Kim 3). So much is expected of women by society. This is happened for

centuries. Physical appearance is one of the most prevalent, and if one doesn’t feel like they fit in

on the outside, they likely won’t fit in on the inside, within themselves. This is can cause them to

distance themselves from people they are around, a common symptom of depression. If they feel

like they don’t look right, it also might lead to the manifestation of eating disorders, where they

are restricting their food and calorie intake in order to lose weight or slim down to fit a certain
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stereotype. This is unhealthy for the body and can lead to many more health issues down the

road.

At this point, much evidence has been cited for these mental illnesses, including eating

disorders. But it is also important to learn about the impacts of eating disorders on one’s body

and health in the long run, even if they overcome the eating disorder itself. There are various

consequences of developing eating disorders, especially if the eating disorder isn’t taken care of

in a proper or efficient manner. According to NEDA, the National Eating Disorders Association,

eating disorders “can affect every organ system in the body”, leaving permanent damage in some

cases. The cardiovascular system contains the heart. If enough calories are not consumed, the

heart muscles will deteriorate, and heart rate will slow to an unhealthy level. This increases risk

for heart failure (NEDA). With malnutrition, the gastrointestinal system is affected, causing

bloating, diarrhea, bacterial infections, and more (NEDA). According to NEDA, “[a]lthough the

brain weighs only three pounds, it consumes up to one-fifth of the body’s calories” and requires

many electrolytes found in food. If enough food is not being eaten or kept in the body to

metabolize, brain function can decrease over time, causing numbness in extremities, and more.

Lastly, the endocrine system, which regulates hormones, including growth and sex hormones, is

affected. If a female is at the age of menstruation, severe eating disorders can cause loss of

menstruation due to lack of sex hormones. Osteoporosis (bone loss) has also been associated

with lowered sex hormones. The other effects are innumerable and would take much time to

discuss, but this gets the point across that eating disorders are harmful to the body. Now,

considering that media prompts unhealthy behaviors like this sometimes, one may ask the

following question: is it worth it? Are there healthier options to lose weight? Yes! But this fact

needs to be reinforced, especially in young children by their parents or guardians.

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Eating disorders are not the only negative effect of increased social media use, as seen

earlier. Therefore, since media is prevalent and can be access from everywhere, it is safe to

assume that the effects are also widespread. However, with a little bit of work, extreme effects

can be prevented, and people can receive help. It is important to not only understand the reasons

why the link between time on social media and mental illnesses is present, but also how to

identify, acknowledge, and eliminate any negative consequences that could potentially develop.

For young children, it may be more effective to simply speak with them and set

boundaries and expectations. For a young mind, which is still very malleable in terms of thought

process. According to the Child Mind Institute, there are a few steps parents and guardians can

take to promote healthy social media habits in order to help prevent their children or dependents

from developing these dangerous conditions. The following are a few tips are from the Child

Mind Institute:

1. Engaging children in a variety of activities, so as to not allow them to sit on their screens

for too long. Making children do other activities, such as playing outside, doing a sport,

arts and crafts, or socialize with their peers, has been shown to be effective in growth for

a child.

2. Teaching children what is and is not acceptable to do or say on social media. Oftentimes,

these children will be interacting with people older than them online, and those people

might use words, say things, or post things, that are not appropriate, especially for

younger ages. Teaching these children to be honest, and reporting it when they see

something like this, can promote healthy behaviors. If children, in my experience as well,

can acknowledge and “disengage from interactions that increase stress or unhappiness”,

this is beneficial (Child Mind Institute).

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3. Finally, a tactic that is arguably effective for people of all ages is to set aside phone or

technology-free time before going to sleep. Enforcing this good for health, as your brain

gets a break from looking at anything before going to sleep. It is common knowledge that

getting a good night’s sleep is imperative for function during the day. There have been

many studies done on the effect of blue light (from screens) on sleep patterns and quality.

According to Harvard University Health Center, everyone has a circadian rhythm which

can be thrown off by irregular light, which affects the ability to sleep. Blue light can

disrupt this rhythm. They recommend not looking at a screen for at least 2 hours before

bed (Harvard Health).

All of these tips are there to identify and nip any issue in the bud for especially children.

However, when it comes to young adults, or even older people, these detrimental effects of social

media are still prevalent, if not worse. But these people oftentimes don’t live with others or have

support groups. It is necessary, in these situations, to self-identify and seek help. It is also

important for friends and family of these vulnerable groups to notice when people are socially

distancing themselves from others and experiencing changes in mood. There are many sources

that can help and are just a click or call away. The following are some of those sources:

1. The helpline at nationaleatingdisorder.org.

2. SAMSHA (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration) has a helpline

as well: 1-800-622-HELP (4357).

Mental Health is no joke. It is not a choice. Being educated in the issues, as well as how to

help, is vital to understanding one’s fellow humans.

There are many reasons that teenagers and young adults who spend extended amounts of

time on social media and the internet are susceptible to mental illnesses such as depression,
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anxiety, and eating disorders. Due to altered body image, societal norms regarding weight, a

feeling of exclusion, fabricated false realities, and lessened physical human contact, people can

develop these dangerous mental illnesses. Having education around these topics There are also

ways for parents and guardians, as well as friends to address these situations. The warning signs

are clear and need to be acted upon. As a call to action, please support those who need help, and

learn to acknowledge when a bad situation is about to arise.

Works Cited

“Are Social Media Bots Taking Over the Internet?” RSS, www.responsival.com/post/are-social-

media-bots-taking-over-the-internet. Accessed 1 July 2020.

“Contact the Helpline.” National Eating Disorders Association, 9 July 2020,

www.nationaleatingdisorders.org/help-support/contact-helpline. Accessed 1 July 2020.

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Depowski, Kristen, and Kelly Hart. "Pro-Ana Websites Should Be Regulated." Eating Disorders,

edited by Roman Espejo, Greenhaven Press, 2012. Opposing Viewpoints. Gale in

Context: Opposing Viewpoints, https://link-gale-

com.sinclair.ohionet.org/apps/doc/EJ3010128250/OVIC?

u=dayt30401&sid=OVIC&xid=cec7bdb8. Accessed 22 June 2020. Originally published

as "'Pro-Ana' Web Sites Glorify Eating Disorders," ABC News online, 2006. Accessed 22

June 2020.

“Eating Disorder Myths.” National Eating Disorders Association, 22 Aug. 2019,

www.nationaleatingdisorders.org/toolkit/parent-toolkit/eating-disorder-myths. Accessed 4

July 2020.

“Health Consequences.” National Eating Disorders Association, 22 Feb. 2018,

www.nationaleatingdisorders.org/health-consequences. Accessed 9 July 2020.

Hunnicutt, Carrie. “5 Ways Social Media Can Trigger an Eating Disorder - Clementine -

Adolescent Eating Disorders.” Clementine, 13 Mar. 2020, clementineprograms.com/social-

media-trigger-eating-disorder/. Accessed 24 June 2020.

Lee, J. (2012). The relationship between appearance-related stress and internalizing problems in

South Korean adolescent girls. Social Behavior and Personality: An international journal,

40, 903–918. https://doi.org/f3852s. Accessed 9 July 2020.

Miller, Caroline. “Does Social Media Cause Depression?” Child Mind Institute, 11 June 2020,

childmind.org/article/is-social-media-use-causing-depression/. Accessed 1 July 2020.

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“National Helpline: SAMHSA - Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.”

SAMHSA, www.samhsa.gov/find-help/national-helpline. Accessed 1 July 2020.

Pantic, Igor. “Online Social Networking and Mental Health.” Cyberpsychology, Behavior and

Social Networking, Mary Ann Liebert, Inc., Oct. 2014,

www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4183915/. Accessed 24 June 2020.

“Psychotic Disorders.” Understanding Mental Health | ReachOut Schools,

schools.au.reachout.com/articles/psychotic-disorders. Accessed 1 July 2020.

Publishing, Harvard Health. “Blue Light Has a Dark Side.” Harvard Health, 2020,

www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/blue-light-has-a-dark-side. Accessed 1 July

2020.

“Teens and Social Media Use: What's the Impact?” Mayo Clinic, Mayo Foundation for Medical

Education and Research, 21 Dec. 2019, www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/tween-and-

teen-health/in-depth/teens-and-social-media-use/art-20474437-. Accessed 24 June 2020.