Notes on Social Media and Mental Health by Bailey Parnell

Introduction

• Internal monologue during social media scrolling
• Speaker: Bailey Parnell
• Topic: Unintended consequences of social media on mental health
• Aim: Identify stressors, their effects, and how to improve online experiences

Personal Experience

• Took a four-day vacation with sister to Jasper, Alberta
• First no-work vacation in four years
• Experience of disconnecting from social media
  • Initial anxiety & withdrawal symptoms
  • Realization of social media's impact on mental health

The Impact of Social Media

• Parnell's background in social marketing (higher education)
• High social media use correlates with anxiety, depression, and stress
• Statistics: 90% of 18-29 year olds use social media, averaging two hours a day
• Examination of four common social media stressors:

1. Highlight Reel

• Social media as a personal highlight reel
• Comparison between personal "behind the scenes" and others' highlights
• Example: Feeling inadequate while viewing a friend's vacation post

2. Social Currency

• Likes, comments, and shares as forms of social currency
• The economy of attention: everything competes for attention
• Link between social media value and personal self-worth
• Example: Taking down photos due to low engagement

3. FOMO (Fear of Missing Out)

• FOMO as a social anxiety
• Statistics: 70% of students would quit social media if not for fear of exclusion

4. Online Harassment

• 40% of online adults experience harassment
• Higher likelihood for marginalized groups (women, LGBTQ, etc.)
• Examples of severe online harassment cases
• Cumulative effect of microaggressions leading to macro problems

Consequences of Social Media Use

• Social media addiction symptoms similar to substance dependencies
• Brain's dopamine response to likes and engagement
• Rising levels of anxiety, depression, and suicidal thoughts in youth

Finding Social Media Wellness

• Recognizing the problem is the first step
• Steps to improve social media experiences:
  1. Recognize the Problem
     • Awareness of social media's impact
  2. Audit Social Media Diet
     • Monitor emotional responses to social media content
  3. Create a Better Online Experience
     • Unfollow negative influences
     • Follow content that inspires, entertains, or motivates
  4. Model Good Behavior
     • Promote respect and positivity online

Conclusion

• Social media itself isn’t inherently good or bad
• It reflects human behavior, both positive and negative
• Importance of developing coping strategies and a safe online environment
• Aim: Use social media to uplift and inspire rather than detract from mental health
• Final thoughts on desired social media experiences: inspiration, motivation, and positivity.