Why Instagram Is the Worst Social Media for Mental Health

Source: Click to View the Full May 2017 Time Magazine Article by Amanda Macmillan

Instagram is the worst social media network for mental health and wellbeing, according to a recent survey of almost 1,500 teens and young adults.

Out of five social networks included in a #StatusOfMind survey the survey, YouTube received the highest marks, Twitter came in second, followed by Facebook and then Snapchat—with Instagram bringing up the rear.

There were certainly some benefits associated with social networking as can be seen in the report. But they all received negative marks, as well—especially for sleep quality, bullying, body image and FOMO. And unlike YouTube, the other four networks were associated with increases in depression and anxiety.

Previous studies have suggested that young people who spend more than two hours a day on social networking sites are more likely to report psychological distress.

Social media posts can also set unrealistic expectations and create feelings of inadequacy and low self-esteem, the authors wrote. As one survey respondent wrote, “Instagram easily makes girls and women feel as if their bodies aren’t good enough as people add filters and edit their pictures in order for them to look ‘perfect’.”

Click here to view the entire Time Magazine Article by Amanda Macmillan.

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