Social Media problems
29 May 2026 - The wikipedia page on this says quite a lot of how I think about the subject. I don't wish to just copy or quote the Wiki page as it adds nothing. I do want to put what I think in my own words.
With all the hoo-haa about "we need to protect the kiddies" and the general feeling that there are things about the Internet and Social Media that need to change, I have to repeat what I was saying all along that I don't see Social Media as force for good.
31 May 2026 - Liz Kendall Technology Secretary for the Keir Starmer Labour parliament is concdering a Social Media ban for under 16's
Excessive use of social media can lead to problems including impaired functioning and a reduction in overall wellbeing, for both users and those around them. Such usage is associated with a risk of mental health problems, sleep problems, academic struggles, and daytime fatigue.[5] Psychological or behavioural dependence on social media platforms can result in significant negative functions in peoples daily lives.[6] The risk of problems is also related to the type of platform of social media or online community being used. People of different ages and genders may be affected in different ways by problematic social media use.
[5] - Journal of Adolescence - Woods (locked) - Social media use in adolescence is associated with poor sleep quality, anxiety, depression and low self-esteem.
[6] - International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health.
Problematic Social Media use
The participation in Social Media is problematic on a number of fronts.
What I fail to understand is that more people do not realise what Social Media is doing to the way that most people carry out their lives. Social Media seems to be all pervaisive and it is assumed that everyone participates.
Mental Health
While I see that many social and economic prolems have been linked to poor mental health this is an easy explanation.
Psychological or behavioural dependence on social media platforms
Observations of those that I know use Social Media would support that there is something not quite right and the use is in some way a diversion from "normal" behavior. I realise that "normal" is highly subjective but the excessive use of mobile phones and the use of platforms such as Facebook and Twitter as the main means of communication can't be seen as "normal".
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Addictive behavior
Both Social Media use and Mobile phones have had that charge made against their use.
