Social networks and their psychological effects.

Social networks have changed everything. The way we communicate, the way we spend our free time, the way we interact, show ourselves, the threshold between public and private.

The younger generations have internalized their rhythms and structures. The incidence from the psychological and social plane is enormous, and all this movement has taken place in a relatively short period of time.

The social network modified the concept of «friend», introduced the term «follower» and enabled the possibility that any individual with time and desire to show something has their audience. This has two faces. On the one hand, it generates more independence and possibilities. On the other, the fact of the breadth of possibilities can generate a lot of anxiety. The feeling that anyone with a smartphone would have the same chance of "success" can lead to frustration and a feeling of being trapped in the dynamics of the social network.

Those who remain outside, whether by choice or for socio-economic reasons, are largely cut off from the system.

Networks are a kind of window mirror. Through them, we show ourselves to the world but we also see ourselves. We show what we choose to show, what we believe will be valued by others. Through social networks, games of seduction and display are played openly, sometimes too much. Information is disclosed, opinions are expressed, struggles are shown, principles are defended. Dogmatic or fanatical discourses are spread. People participate in individual and collective games, and hate and rejection are also expressed personally or anonymously. You can easily lie, or speak through fake accounts. You can give your opinion on everything without showing your face…among many others.

The "like" takes on a different dimension. Suddenly, and through the networks, what we like or what we don't like is expanded and, at the same time, diluted. It is the trap of the tool itself, everything that is potentially a possibility of deployment, can leave us in nothing or enhance the most terrible aspects.

Social networks have a highly significant psychological impact. Increased anxiety, as we said, is a fundamental trait. The speed of social networks, the generation of new content permanently can generate great anxiety. For those who consume what belongs to others, or for those who create it. A feeling of having to keep up with something that exceeds us is easily generated. 

This can also lead to depressive episodes due to the frustration of feeling that this "ideal" cannot be achieved (figures that appear "successful" in the social network). At the same time, so much information and image circulating quickly can also cause despondency and fatigue. Distractions and procrastination prevent you from focusing your attention on your own projects or initiatives.

There is a quite marked tendency to be tied as passive observers, in a chronic and automatic way, to the contents of social networks. Without this leading to intervention or action, simply functioning as an escape.

It is very important to ask questions about the times in which we live and the technological advances with which we are surrounded. Disowning them does not resolve the matter. Social networks offer many advantages as long as they can be used judiciously, taking care of mental and emotional health and detecting when consumption is excessive or harmful.

Social networks should be a tool that we use based on our needs, not that they use us, leaving us trapped in their webs. For this, it is essential to set limits on its use, to be able to suspend it when necessary, and to consult if there is dependence or anxiety associated with them.

 

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