Social media is a part of almost everyone’s daily life. It connects everybody together worldwide. When people think of social media, they think of Tiktok, Youtube or maybe Instagram.  All of these apps are a part of people’s daily lives and are used as a source of information and entertainment. While it’s true that these platforms on social media come with many benefits, most people don’t know that it can contribute to depression and anxiety through social comparison.

Research from websites like McLean Hospital show that anxiety is usually tied to the use of social media. People are constantly comparing themselves to influencers across different platforms. This is because of the unrealistic portrayal of life online through use of filters, editing and misinformation which can lead to unattainable standards for beauty, success or even happiness. Most people compare their looks and lives to people online which negatively affects their self-esteem and as a result, they can feel empty or inadequate.  Another big problem is FOMO (fear of missing out). FOMO is when you feel stressed because you think you are missing out on something important like events online or watching influencers doing fun things. Seeing things like this online can make that feeling stronger to a viewer.  

Another serious problem tied to social media is cyberbullying. Cyberbullying is when people bully others online, usually people say whatever mean thing they want because there isn’t a big risk of their identity being exposed. Even though some people do feel comfortable with themselves enough to post online, there are still users who constantly feel the necessity to harass or bully people for what they look like or the type of content they post. Even if you post something positive and get mostly good feedback, one hateful comment can ruin and mess everything up and affect how you feel about yourself. 

Although users know this, people still look to social media for comfort. Those who use TikTok, Instagram and other apps, post so they can find people with the same interests as them. TikTok and Instagram’s  purpose is to provide a space for creation, consumption and community building.  Social media platforms are made to create safe and supportive communities for its users, and even add community guidelines to stop cyberbullying online.  While there are some disadvantages of social media, they do still provide a comfort for many people and an outlet to share creativities.