One of the mental health problems associated with the widespread use of social media is the FOMO effect, a relatively new term that psychologists are constantly giving importance to.
FOMO (fear of missing out) is considered a state of social anxiety that stems from the belief that others may be having fun, while the person experiences a state of anxiety because he is not present and is characterized by a strong desire to stay in contact with what others are doing.
Amy Summerville, a psychology professor at Miami University in Ohio, told Healthline: "The FOMO experience is a feeling characterized by the thoughts 'what if I had been there', 'I could have been there, but I am not'.
The continuous use of social networks and technology has created a stable ground for the development of this situation. Almost all day long, people tend to stay in touch virtually and this is not necessarily a good thing.
So should we all just use less social media?
"At this point I have to say that we do not necessarily have to give up social networks. "For me, it's important that people understand the negative emotions they experience in order to address them." - said Summerville.
She stressed that it is clear that social networks will not disappear, but will become more widespread. "Given how available these technologies are, they will simply be part of the way we interact with our world and with people. "There is definitely a lot of work to be done in this area."
Some studies have linked social media use to depression, anxiety, poor sleep quality, lower self-esteem, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, and more often in adolescents.
Setting boundaries, such as limited time spent on social media, can minimize the negative effects.
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