Having represented in the mental health sector for over 30 years, it is clear that the reasons for mental health issues are varied and diverse in general terms.
Recently, having watched the Netflix series award winning ‘Adolescence’, it brought to the fore the importance of social media and its impact on mental health within the UK today and beyond.
It goes without saying that there are a number of positives that arise from this form of communication but alongside this, there are a number of major issues that can impact directly on the mental health of individuals. The most tragic consequence is loss of life and there has been a direct link between social media usage and the deaths of people in the UK in recent times.
There has been a petition which has gained more than 185,000 signatures via a group of parents whose children have died with social media being a highly relevant factor in terms of their deaths. Here, access to their telecom communication was being sought and this is subject to ongoing discussion at the present time. This is a very important matter and the circumstances require attention and focus going forwards.
A further recent update from the BBC confirmed that there were developments in respect of this matter. The Department of Science Innovation and Technology indicated ‘From summer, the Online Safety Act will introduce some safeguards to protect children from harmful content online, including material including dangerous stunts and challenges’. It continued ‘In tragic cases where a child’s health is linked to social media, under the Online Safety Act, coroners will have the power to demand relevant data from platforms’. Therefore, there have been developments on this important issue.
In terms of the issue of negative impact which flows from social media access, this is multi-layered and can have a number of different components.
By definition, contact and communication is important but having this through the social media platform can have its challenges and difficulties.
One of the common problems is the ‘filter culture’ and the projection of a lifestyle which is at its optimum level. This can have the counter effect of making individuals feel insecure, create feelings of envy and dissatisfaction and ultimately, have an impact on their self-esteem as they look through the window of social media and bring forward comparison.
The phrase ‘FOMO’ (fear of missing out) is self-connected to this and can create a lifestyle online which is exciting, dynamic, varied and positive. That again, has a counter effect on individuals feeling that they are living a lesser quality of life, causing self-doubt and anxiety.
The excessive use of social media can sometimes impact upon sleep patterns such as affecting school performance on the following day when scrolling continues into the early hours.
There is little doubt that face to face contact is fundamental and important. Therefore, online activity cannot be a replacement to this. However, individuals turn to this social media option as the availability of platforms are 24/7, with constant activity. Individuals can effectively be locked into telephone usage.
The phenomenon of ‘doom scrolling’ is also problematic as it often does not have an ultimate purpose, enjoyment or quality. It can be indicative of loneliness, depression and anxiety as well as feelings of isolation. In conclusion, social media clearly has a place in society which is not going to disappear but its usage has to be carefully examined. There remains a risk that when individuals are in a difficult zone that they are turning to and absorbing a number of negative impacts and in fact, may inflame and exacerbate their situation. There needs to be caution in that regard and certainly, additional regulation of social media platforms seems appropriate going forwards.
Ranjit Thaliwal
Solicitor
Welford Solicitors (Formerly Thaliwal & Veja Solicitors)
298-300 Welford Road, Leicester, LE2 6EG
ranjit@welfordsolicitors.co.uk
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