2024-03-26 11:24:12
Social networks have “an impact on a child’s emotional, sensory and cognitive development”. These words are those of President Emmanuel Macron who calls for the implementation of recommendations for “the proper use of screens […] because the future of our societies and our democracies is at stake.”
What psychological impact does excess digital media have?
But how can we educate children if parents are themselves very often in front of screens? This question is all the more important as research has shown that a number of uses of screens, and especially social networks, are also linked to psychological problems in adults, without the users even being aware of these links. .
But there is good news: we can protect ourselves from these problems and the solutions do not necessarily involve reducing screen time.
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Overall, studies on large populations show that the more we use digital media (smartphones, Internet, social networks, video games, etc.), the more likely we are to suffer from psychological problems (negative emotions, anxiety, depressive symptoms). …).
Recent research shows that while the links between the use of these media and the alteration of well-being are significant, the magnitude is still not very high.
For example, among adolescents, until now, screens do not cause the “deleterious tsunami” that some sometimes predict.
However, these overall results mask large differences between individuals, with some being more affected than others. Let us analyze the two major processes involved in negative affective states and alterations in well-being.
Comparing yourself on networks has deleterious effects
In our lives, comparing ourselves to others is a fundamental social need that allows us to obtain information about ourselves, to evaluate ourselves and to construct our social identity.
If this normal process is often implemented automatically, that is to say unintentional and non-conscious in our daily life, it is implemented in the same way on social networks. However, on networks, everyone tries to present their self-image and their activities in a highly valued way. The photos are, for example, judiciously constructed and worked with for this purpose.
There are then many comparisons to our disadvantage: from their profile and their posts, we will consider that a particular person, whom we know more or less, is “better than us” (on a physical level, in terms of their skills in life…) or has “a more beautiful life than ours”.
Thus, as our self-image and our personal esteem are built as a result of our interactions with others, these so-called ascending comparisons can alter our own image and would increase sadness and unease.
On social networks, comparisons against us can alter our own image and could increase sadness and discomfort. SrideeStudio/Shutterstock
Also pay attention to situations of increased vulnerability!
In the process of comparison, recent research shows that we are different from each other. Let’s look at some cases where people compare themselves more than others on social media, making them more vulnerable to psychological problems.
Indeed, you should know that some individuals feel more, in their lives, the need to compare themselves to others. They will then, much more often than others, compare themselves on social networks, without even being aware of it.
On the other hand, some people are more “materialistic” than others (materialists believe that happiness lies in material possessions). Overall, they spend more time on social networks than “non-materialistic” people. In the information they post, they display more often than others the goods they own and will strongly compare themselves to “compete” with others and try to surpass them. The consequences are often harmful for them.
We also know that people who do not have a good self-image, who are rather anxious, shy and hypersensitive are also highly sensitive to social comparisons.
On social networks, studies have shown that they use more rewarding self-presentation strategies in order to reduce social anxiety and increase their self-esteem.
These people are also more sensitive to comments from others which, if positive, reassure them about their membership in social groups and their social identity. Conversely, negative comments easily affect their well-being.
Other research has also shown that the more depressive symptoms people have, the more they compare themselves to others. They then enter a vicious circle: the more they compare themselves, the more it increases their initial depressive symptoms.
Develop your digital intelligence rather than reduce your screen time
We will therefore understand that a first solution is not to reduce screen time but rather to modify the way of using digital media and in particular social networks. Overall, the challenge for human beings today is to better adapt to this new digital environment by developing a new form of intelligence: digital intelligence.
This is defined as the ability to adapt well, thanks to specific mental procedures, to a constantly changing digital environment and to interact optimally with this environment to satisfy our psychological and social needs. And this, while preserving or even improving our physical and mental health.
Thus, once the user becomes aware of the comparison process at work on social networks, he can put in place conscious “cognitive strategies” to correct the potentially harmful consequences for him.
For example, he can seek, on the one hand, to reduce the time he spends looking at the information that others post about themselves to promote themselves, and on the other hand, build a “beautiful profile” and post information about himself that he can be proud of, both personally and socially. Indeed, posting self-enhancing information helps improve your self-esteem.
“Passive uses” that harm relationships with our loved ones
The second process involved in negative affective states and altered well-being concerns the relationships we maintain on social networks with those close to us, that is, people psychologically and socially important to us (family, friends Dear).
Recent research shows that well-being depends above all on the positive and warm relationships we establish with those close to us.
However, many practices on the Internet harm the relationships that are so precious to us. This is particularly the case for video games that are played alone or with strangers online. Likewise, when we spend time browsing social networks simply to read or watch posts or videos posted by individuals we do not know or know little. This is what researchers call “passive uses”. So much time not spent interacting with our loved ones.
Emoticons, voice and other positive ways of sharing
Conversely, all practices that promote social and emotional relationships with loved ones such as telephone calls, vocal messages (hearing the voice of a loved one brings positive emotions) or written messages (affectively charged emoticons transmit “from good emotions”).
To be precise, the relationships that increase well-being the most are those which, on the one hand, are perceived as reciprocal, each showing interest in the other, and, on the other hand, are perceived as genuinely warm.
Likewise, videos and entertainment are beneficial when they promote interaction with loved ones by allowing positive socio-emotional experiences that bring people closer emotionally.
For example, when entertainment is watched together in person, then offering pleasant moments of social sharing during which, for example, we laugh together, or when it is shared online where we know that we are going to surprise or make our loved ones laugh, through screens.
Finally, let’s not forget that digital media also facilitate face-to-face meetings (outings, evenings, etc.) with loved ones. Thus, if used well, digital media are beneficial for well-being, give us the feeling that we are well integrated socially and promote warm emotional relationships with those we like.
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