By some estimates, roughly 4 billion people across the world use networking websites such as Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. This usage has prompted mental health experts to investigate whether the enormous popularity of social media plays a role in depression.

Research has shown that the more time people spend on Facebook and other sites, the more likely they are to feel depressed. In one study of more than 1,700 young adults that was published in 2015 in the journal Cyberpsychology, Behavior and Social Networking, participants who spent more time on Facebook reported higher levels of perceived social support and lower levels of loneliness. However, they also scored higher on scales measuring symptoms of depression and anxiety.

The same researchers conducted another experiment with about 200 college students who were asked to spend either 5 minutes or 20 minutes looking at their own profile pages on Facebook before answering questions about their moods and well-being.

The results showed that those who spent 5 minutes looking at their profiles reported feeling less positive about themselves than those who spent 20 minutes doing so. Those who looked at their profiles for 20 minutes also felt less connected to others compared with those who spent only 5 minutes doing so.

FOMO - Fear Of Missing Out

Social media is a double-edged sword. While it can offer users a way to connect with others, it can also create feelings of isolation and depression. Social media can be beneficial for some people. It can help them stay connected with family and friends and provide a sense of community. However, there are also some risks associated with social media use.

Social media can also give users a case of FOMO (fear of missing out), which leads to increased anxiety and depression over not being able to attend every event or gathering. Social media is often used as a way to compare ourselves to others, which can have negative effects on our self-esteem and body image. We see all the highlights in their lives — their adventures, travels and achievements — and it makes us feel bad about our own lives by comparison.

Did You Know?

Social media has also been linked to sleep deprivation due to late-night scrolling sessions where you stay up late reading through your newsfeeds or watching videos on YouTube until the wee hours of the morning.

So why are we using social media more now than ever?

The line between using social media to stay informed and using it for entertainment is blurry. Many people have turned to social media when they’re bored or lonely, or as a way to pass the time at work. This presents an extreme issue.

Have you ever wondered how much time you're actually spending on productivity vs entertainment on your phone? On iPhone you can actually monitor your app activity and screen time. This will let you know which apps are taking up the most of your time and if you need to cut back on them. All you need to do is head into "Settings" and clicking on "Screen Time."

There are also several apps available that will let you limit how much time you spend on certain apps or allow you to set limits for yourself, such as limiting yourself to 10 minutes per day on Facebook or Instagram.

How Can Young People Safely Use Social Media?

1) Set a timer when you’re on social media or install an app on your phone or computer that tracks how long you’ve spent on a networking site.

2) Limit the amount of time you spend on social media sites, especially during school hours or when working on homework assignments.

3) Be aware of how much time you spend alone, especially if it is leading to feelings of depression.

4) Put your phone away when you have time with friends or family members instead of scrolling through Instagram or Facebook while they talk.

Here at The Frog Initiative, we know how important it is to take time away from the screen as well as how important it is to seek professional help when feeling depressed.

Do you have any tips? Head over to our Twitter Page: @FrogInitiative and share your thoughts!

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