We live in an age where social media is huge. Whether it be Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, or Tumblr, chances are you are on some form of social media. It can be a great tool to expand your knowledge of the world in and connect with friends you have not seen in a while. That’s all great. The problem comes when people base their self worth on the amount of likes they get on an Instagram picture or retweets on Twitter.

So the question is:

Does social media effect our self esteem? 

According to a study done last year at University of Salford in the United Kingdom, out of 298 people, 50% of them reported that social media makes their life a lot worse. This is because people often find themselves looking on other people’s pages. When this happens, they compare themselves to their friends, focusing on all the things their friends have and they don’t. To see other people doing better than you can be harder and quite frankly, a little bit depressing. Not only looking at other people’s lives a problem with your own self esteem, but 25% of people report that they have had a problem with their significant others or in relationships because of social media. They reported that it made them lose trust for their partner, as email and directed messages make it easy to hide things from one another. Many people rely on the amount of likes they receive on a picture to determine their self worth. It is reported that the amount of likes people get can actually make or break some people’s day.

Believe it or not, most people literally can not be without their phones or laptops. According tot the same study, 45% of people get anxiety being away from their phone. Does this mean it’s being away from the phone that makes their life worse and not social media itself?

YES.

Anxiety specialist Nicky Lidbetter says, “These findings suggest that some may need to re-establish control over the technology they use,rather than being controlled by it.”

Social media not only imposes upon social activity, anxiety, and your overall all well being, but sleep as well. According to experts, about 75% of people sleep with their phones close enough to reach every night. Lack of sleep can lead to many problems such as headaches, anxiety, and decreased alertness. 

Do you think this is a problem for you? According to Aleternet.org, there are 7 signs to tell if it is:

1. Social media gets in the way of your real world interactions
2. Social media affects mood
3. You can’t be alone
4. Jealously of others
5. You’re happy to see others fail
6. Compare your success to other’s
7. Addicted to attention

Tips to avoid this being a problem for YOU:

1. Socialize– Develop real life conversations and relationships and approve upon social skills. This will not only higher your self esteem, but will give you a level of self worth outside of the world of social media.
2. Exercise– Exercise is a get way to higher self esteem and stay away from the computer. It gives you something else to focus on and allows you to change your lifestyle.
3. Be positive– commit yourself to being happy and living a mentally positive life.