The Health Dangers of Social Media

By: Melody Rabor-Dizon

 

Notice that wherever you go while waiting in line, getting stuck in traffic, waiting to board on a plane, bored at a party, or just chillin’, everybody seems to be looking down looking at their smart phone, either facebooking, instagramming, tweeting, youtubing, emailing, texting— name it and everyone’s doing it. Why? Because the device can and they can.

The attention span of people nowadays seems that every little second of free time they have, the phone is there to while away their time, I, myself, included. To some, it may be just for amusement, but to some it actually has taken a toll on their health. And, since I am a big advocate for your health, I’d like to tackle the health effects/ dangers of social media. How can gaming, updating my status, checking in and taking /posting pictures hurt me? Well, as hard as it is to deny the growing presence of social media in our lives and its huge effect on us, it’s unsurprising that evidence indicates it is hurting us. So could these be claims fact or fiction? Per Gerald Heneghan of Custard – a marketing agency based in UK, studies have shown that:

Social media can contribute to the development of heart disease and diabetes

Technically, the real problem is the amount of time you spend sitting at your computer, but given that social media is one of the most popular activities on the web, you’ve got good cause to be worried. Just two hours a day sitting in front of the computer increases your risk of developing type 2 diabetes by 20%, and your risk of getting heart disease by 15%.

Social media can be addictive

While it’s unlikely you’ll resort to selling your body to fund your tweeting habit anytime soon – there is evidence that social media can be addictive, and it can have a significant effect on your brain chemistry. Responding to a notification can prompt the release of dopamine – a neurotransmitter that drives reward-driven learning. A dopamine hit, when combined with the vast amounts of time spent on social channels, can spell serious trouble.

Social media can (ironically) make you anti-social

It has been revealed that 24% of people have missed important moments in real life because they were too busy trying to share them on social channels.

On the other hand, there are positive aspects too as many use social platforms to keep in touch with friends living far away, share good news; and it can help shy/lonely people forge new bonds.

Facebook makes you fat

A recent study found that whilst social media can have beneficial effects on self-esteem, it can lead to a loss impulsive unhealthy snacking. Similar effects were recorded in terms of health, mental persistence and spending.

Social media can make you paranoid

With geo-location, big data and social media usage, companies are able to target their marketing to an unprecedented degree. In the eyes of some, this ever-growing accuracy can make people paranoid. Social media also makes your online activities increasingly viewable. More and more employers are doing social background checks.

My Take Away

Either way, agreeing with the study or not, it is here to stay and will only become worse later on and who knows maybe even create a new diagnosis not even thought of yet with the advent of social-media-madness affecting our health. The choice is yours. But if I am allowed to say, your health matters. That’s right, Melody – your health matters first. Best way to start is home and that’s me.