Post on 23-Jan-2018
transcript
Is our increased
use and dependence on digital
media affecting
our mental health?
Sean MacEntee || Flickr
Although there is no clear cut answer yet,
psychological research has observed that there are added stresses that come along with digital
media use.
aaayyymmm || flickr
Did you know…
In 2012, 1 in 10 Canadians met the
criteria for at least one of the following:
major depressive episode, bipolar
disorder, generalized anxiety disorder
and/or drug abuse.
|| Molostock || freepikPearson, Caryn, Teresa Janz, and Jennifer Ali. Mental And Substance Use Disorders In Canada. 1st ed. Stancan, 2013. Web. 19 oct, 2016.
As well…
In 2015, Ottawa public health epidemiologists published a study that found that teens who
spend more than 2 hours a day on social
media report “poor self-rated mental
health, psychological distress, and suicidal
ideation”.
Payne, Elizabeth. "Teens' Poor Mental Health Linked To Social Media Use". Ottawa Citizen. N.p., 2015. Web. 19 Oct. 2016.
Although correlation does not always equal causation, it is beneficial to be aware of some of the negative affects that DIGITAL
media use is having on our mental wellbeing.
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We’re addicted…
In the age group where social media use is
most prevalent (18-29), it has
been found that on average,
Canadians spend roughly 47
hours a week on the internet.
Krashinsky, Susan. "Four Ways Canadians Are Consuming Media Differently". The Globe and Mail. N.p., 2014. Web. 19 Oct. 2016.
Additionally, Americans aged 18 and older spend more than 11 hours a day
on electronic devices.
Richter, Felix. "Infographic: Americans Use Electronic Media 11+ Hours A Day". Statista Infographics. N.p., 2015. Web. 19 Oct. 2016.
If we are awake for 16 hours a
day, that’s almost 70% of
our time staring at a screen!
vhbphotoart || flickr
That also means that we are spending less time
interacting with the real world around us.
Its getting so ridiculous that in some households, people within the same building would rather
text each other than talk face to face.
|| Designed by FreepikBielski, Zosia. "Portrait Of An E-Family: How They're Making Their Hyper-Digital Lives Work". The Globe and Mail. N.p., 2013. Web. 19 Oct. 2016.
Notably, In 2015, a study showed that
having limited face-to-face social
contact nearly doubles someone’s
risk of having depression.
"Research: Face-To-Face Socializing More Powerful Than Phone Calls, Emails In Guarding Against Depression". OHSU. N.p., 2015. Web. 19 Oct. 2016 || JCOMp || Freepik.
It also affects our sleeping patterns…
Small electronic Devices emit enough light to disrupt our circadian rhythms
and promote wakefulness.
Therefore leading to a less restful sleep.
"Electronics In The Bedroom: Why It’S Necessary To Turn Off Before You Tuck In". National Sleep Foundation. N.p., 2016. Web. 19 Oct. 2016. || jcomp || flickr
• Feelings of loneliness
• A low mood• Negative thoughts
• Psychotic episodes
• A general struggle to deal with everyday life
A lack of restful sleep can lead to:
"What Is The Relationship Between Sleep And Mental Health?". Mind.org.uk. N.p., 2016. Web. 19 Oct. 2016. || jimpic || flickr
The use of digital media promotes multitasking
In a study conducted by students in Oregon, USA:
-On average, people perform better when working on
one task however, people in the group of “experienced
multi-taskers” perform better in a multitasking
environment.
-Multitasking is so prevalent among users of digital media that their
brains are being rewired to be more efficient at it.
Reddy, Sumathi. "Teen Researchers Defend Media Multitasking; Doing Homework With Music, Texts, Tweets Works Better For Some". Wall Street Journal. N.p., 2016. web.
Photoduet || flickr
HOWEVER, MULTITASKING LEADS TO THE CONSTANT RELEASE OF ADRENALINE AND CORTISOL. THIS steady flow of stress can lead to physical ailments such as headaches and stomach problems, as
well as mental issues like anxiety and depression.
Woolston, Chris. "Multitasking And Stress". Healthday. N.p., 2016. Web. 19 Oct. 2016.
In addition to everything else, SOCIAL MEDIA USE in particular HAS SOME NEGATIVE EFFECTS OF ITS Own.
alvaro_cabrera || freepik
Whiting, Anita and David Williams. "Why People Use Social Media: A Uses And Gratifications Approach". Qualitative Market Research: An International Journal 16.4 (2013): 362-369. Web.
• IT Causes us to compare ourselves to unrealistic expectations
• We have to constantly worry about maintaining a “cool” and well-liked online persona
• Spending a lot of time looking at other people’s content can trigger envy, loneliness and a sense of exclusion.
mkhmarketing || flickrKrasnova, Hanna et al. Envy On Facebook: A Hidden Threat To Users' Life Satisfaction. 1st ed. Berlin: N.p., 2013. Web. 26 Oct. 2016.
BUT DON’T WORRY, THERE IS a way to ease the stress and
it doesn’t involve
throwing away all of our
electronics!
Jo Naylor || Flickr
• Shutting off non-essential notifications
• Putting our phones away for social interaction and focus
• not comparing our own lives with somebody else’s highlight reel
• Focusing on one thing at a time
• And, Unplugging from digital media for a set time everyday (maybe before bed!)
champery || flickr