The ones born before the advent of social media had enough time to develop these interpersonal skills, but for the present generation, their social presence is more important than these interpersonal relations, thus affecting the way one looks at the world. This also leads to a comparison of each aspect of life and thus disturbs the family time as well. Such a disturbance further leads to symptoms of depression, anxiety, and various other mental health issues that have to be addressed before they fully develop and take over an individual’s life.

LOW SELF-ESTEEM AND SOCIAL COMPARISON

The constant use of filters in photos has proved to affect the self-esteem of an individual. It makes a path for the insecurities in one’s life and keeps on digging it. The superficial comparison is yet another way that highly affects an individual’s self-esteem and starts creating self-doubt. “When we derive a sense of worth based on how we are doing relative to others, we place our happiness in a variable that is completely beyond our control”[i].

Social comparison fundamentally affects the well-being of an individual. The key to happiness is to focus on yourself rather than comparing yourself with others. Relativity triggers low self-esteem in an individual which further affects confidence. Thus to stay happy and to avoid such situations one should focus on what he/she has rather than focusing upon relative happiness.

CYBERBULLYING AND ONLINE ABUSE

Cyberbullying and online abuse exist in various forms from sharing malicious content to leaking information, sending illicit photos, etc. The cases of cyberbullying have also been increasing with the increase in the use of such platforms. There is a “cogent relationship between cyberbullying and negative adolescent health outcomes”[ii]. The same has a huge impact on the mental health of an individual due to the fear of the public.

In India, around 8 out of 10 teens have suffered from some kind of online harassment. Though Section 66 and 67 of the Information Technology Act, 2000[iii], Section 292A, 354D and 509 of the Indian Penal Code, 1860[iv] and the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012[v] provides certain remedies against cyberbullying, there is no specific act solely focusing upon it. This points out the lack of modern legislation in the country.
Moreover, schools should teach children how to tackle the problem of cyberbullying rather than running away from the same. Laws should be informed to the students and help should be provided to them to ensure justice. Further, the evidence should not be deleted since it would substantiate the claim in the court of law. Cyberbullying is a serious threat and that can have a severe impact on the mental health of a child compelling them to take adverse steps such as committing suicide.[vi]

THE OUTCOMES- DEPRESSION, AND ANXIETY

Depression and anxiety are the first few outcomes that are visible. Social media brings out the worst fears of an individual- lack of public acceptance if the trend is not followed. The fear of missing out (FOMO) has also been increasing thus resulting in feeling isolated and increasing suicidal tendencies. All of this has resulted in increasing cases of depression and anxiety since the importance of social media has begun to rise.

THE INCREASING NEED TO REGULATE SOCIAL MEDIA

Due to the increasing technological advancements, there is an urgent need to regulate the content available on social media which may cause a severe impact on the way an individual sees the world. The same must be done without impacting the Right to freedom of speech which has been enshrined under the constitution of India. Social media regulation would help in curbing the dissemination of fake news and hate speeches, thus removing polarisation.

Mental Health is yet another aspect that has to be included within the insurance due to the increasing concerns of the same. The pandemic has affected the mental health of a lot of people due to isolation and the same has to be considered while making policies. Social media is going to be the future of a lot of crimes and hence regulation of the same is the need of the hour. Without regulating the same the mental health-related issues would just keep increasing soon.

CONCLUSION

While the positive impact of social media has been life-changing, the negative impact of the same cannot be ignored. Mental health is of utmost importance and social media has left no stone unturned in effecting the same. Therefore, rules and regulations have to be made to control social media so that the negative impact of the same can be curbed. There should even be a stricter implementation of the existing laws under the IT Act, IPC, and POCSO act. The use of social media should further be restricted by family members to ensure the healthy development of the child. Thus, the genie which has been let out of the bottle has to be controlled before it takes over the world.

REFERENCE

[i]6 reasons social media is making you unhappy (and what to do instead), Healthista (Apr. 16, 2018), https://www.healthista.com/reasons-social-media-making-you-unhappy/.
[ii] Charisee L Nixon, Current perspectives: the impact of cyberbullying on adolescent health, National Center for Biotechnology Information (Aug. 1, 2014) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4126576/.
[iii] The Information Technology Act, 2000, No. 21, Acts of Parliament, 2000.
[iv] The Indian Penal Code, 1860, No. 45, Acts of Parliament, 1860.
[v] The Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012, No. 32, Acts of Parliament, 2012.
[vi] The impact of cyberbullying on mental health and how to deal with online abuse, Firstpost (Jan. 24, 2020), https://www.firstpost.com/health/the-impact-of-cyberbullying-on-mental-health-and-how-to-deal-with-online-abuse-7951381.html

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