Lecture Notes: The Impact of Social Media and Instagram on Mental Health

Introduction

• Speaker aims to provide knowledge and challenge societal judgments.
• Emphasizes personal health and self-acceptance over societal norms and judgments.

Social Media's Role

Instagram's Negative Impact

• Instagram is set up for failure:
  • Encourages constant self-judgment and depression.
  • Promotes comparison with others living "better" lives.
• Many users, especially those with large followings, do not genuinely live the lives they portray.
• Instagram fosters a need for validation through likes and comments.

Fake Perceptions and Happiness

• Social media creates a facade of happiness and success.
  • Many users post delayed vacation pictures, creating false impressions.
  • Most of the "happy" people on social media are performing for an audience.
• Real happiness is not linked to wealth or social media presence.
  • Money and social media status do not equate to happiness.
  • True contentment is found in meditation and self-awareness.

The Importance of Disconnecting

Real-Life Connections

• Many of the happiest people do not engage heavily in social media.
• Social media creates unnecessary drama and distractions.
• Encourages putting the phone down to focus on real life.

Meditation and Self-Connection

• Meditation and self-reflection lead to true happiness.
• Disconnecting from social media helps clear the mind and reduces depression.
• Suggests following people who promote peace and happiness, not just appearances.

Speaker's Personal Experience

• Has a large social media following but chooses not to engage heavily.
• Finds more value in content that helps others rather than chasing likes.
• Personal accounts of depression linked to social media pressures.

Conclusion

• Encourages looking at social media for what it is: a tool that often distracts and depresses.
• Suggests focusing on personal growth and real-life happiness rather than online presence.