Since its inception, social media was meant to connect us with friends and family and make communication easier. Over the years, it has evolved and become a significant part of our culture, where we essentially live our lives online. However, this evolution has brought about a range of negative effects, particularly on young men.

Reduced Social Interaction and Mental Health

Studies have found that mental health and social interaction are directly correlated. We have glued ourselves to our phones so much that we have stopped interacting with people as often as we used to. Since social media began gaining popularity, our mental health and social interaction have started to decline. You may wonder what led me to these claims. Back in the day, young men and I used to engage in outdoor activities and sports, which had several benefits for our mental health. Here are some benefits this generation of young men are deprived of due to their excessive addiction to their phones, specifically social media.

Brainpower Boost

Neurogenesis: Regular physical activity like sports can promote neurogenesis, the growth of new brain cells. This can improve cognitive function, memory, and learning.
Improved Neuroplasticity: Sports can enhance neuroplasticity, the brain’s ability to change and adapt. This allows your brain to form new connections and become more efficient over time.
Sharper Focus: Exercise can improve focus and concentration. Studies show that physical activity can enhance cognitive performance on tasks requiring attention and memory.

Mental Wellbeing

Reduced Stress and Anxiety: The physical and mental exertion involved in sports can help manage stress and anxiety. Physical activity can be a healthy way to release pent-up tension and improve your mood.
Increased Self-Esteem: Participation in sports can boost self-esteem and confidence. Learning new skills, overcoming challenges, and achieving goals in sports can foster a sense of accomplishment and self-efficacy.
Improved Sleep: Regular physical activity promotes better sleep quality. This can significantly improve overall well-being and mental health, as sleep is crucial for emotional regulation and cognitive function.

Building Resilience

Teamwork and Social Connection: Team sports, in particular, foster teamwork and social connection. These social interactions can provide a sense of belonging and support, which are important for mental health.
Coping Skills: Sports can teach valuable coping skills, such as perseverance, discipline, and resilience. Dealing with challenges and setbacks in sports translates to better handling stress and overcoming obstacles in other areas of life.

Addiction and Time Management

Addiction is a lethal weapon that social media companies use against their users. The algorithms of social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube are designed to captivate users. This addiction can affect their studies and work, making it hard to focus. It can also take time away from hobbies and real-life friendships. Their daily routines can become unbalanced. As a result, the younger generation struggles with time management, a crucial skill that enhances efficiency in getting tasks done. Successful people excel at time management and are selective about how they spend their time.

I personally believe there are two major types of content young men consume: the sexualization and objectification of women and content creators fabricating wealth for views. This resonates with young men who desire beautiful women and loads of money, leading to excessive consumption of such content and resulting in addiction.

Sexualization and Objectification of Women

The sexualization and objectification of women have unfortunately become the new norm, with Instagram being one of the leading platforms for this trend. Women often promote their OnlyFans accounts and wear revealing clothing, posting pictures and videos of themselves that are essentially half-naked. However, the negative impact of this sexualization and objectification is largely overlooked. This trend bends reality, raises unrealistic body and beauty standards, and portrays women as mere sex objects. Such a mentality is toxic, distorting reality and harming how society views and treats women. This mindset fosters disrespect and unhealthy expectations, contributing to a culture that undervalues and exploits women.

Fake Influencers and Scams

The prevalence of fake rich influencers and curated online personas, with heavily edited photos, rented cars, and villas, creates unrealistic expectations that can lead to body image issues and feelings of inadequacy among young men. They rack up views by showing off their rented Lamborghinis and girlfriends. However, the young audience often does not know this and falls prey to these distorted views of reality. This not only affects their self-esteem but also opens the door to online scams. Scams promising quick financial gains, dramatic weight loss, or rapid muscle gain exploit these insecurities, leading young men to make poor decisions and lose their hard-earned money, or sometimes their parents’ money. Additionally, the spread of misinformation online further complicates their ability to make informed choices, negatively impacting their overall well-being.

What to Do?

Firstly, remember that you are a customer to these social media companies. They don’t care whether you live or die, become rich or poor. Their goal is to increase your social media consumption and monetize you in any way possible.

Secondly, do not believe everything you see on social media. Most of it is fake, designed to rip you off. Be careful and filter out the content you follow. Wisely consume content that is beneficial for you. Ask yourself questions like, “Is this good for me?” “What am I learning from this content?” “Is the social media star’s income source ethical?” “Is this person nice to others?” Ask as many questions as possible and filter out any influencers who are not a good fit for you. Only consume content that teaches you something valuable because no one else will take care of your mental health apart from yourself. Be wise and consume wisely.