Social Media Trends: Effects on the Mental and Physical Health of Young Women

Abstract

Abstract Background: Social media has a strong influence in our society. Much of this influence falls into the hands of young women in their early teenage years who are more likely to fall victim to the harmful effects of social media usage than other demographics. The dangerous effects of social media trends on the mental and physical health of young women have long been known yet little to no real action has been taken to solve this issue. As social media gains more influence in our society daily it is essential to research and come up with solutions for how to make social media a safer and more inclusive space that protects young women, rather than capitalizes on them and the vulnerability present within their demographic. Objective: This study aims to go beyond the majority conclusion of many researchers that social media is bad for mental health. It seeks to find evidence to support these conclusions and also identify ways in which these potential negative effects can be mitigated. This study investigates the potential for social media to have positive effects on women's mental and physical health. This will segue into my suggestions for solutions as well as proposed areas of future research. Design and Method: The research method used is a literature review. The research that is included in the literature review is from both scholarly and peer reviewed sources most of which were acquired from the Purchase College Library and database. The literature spans the past 10 years and focuses on social media in our society as well as its effects on both the mental and physical health of young women. The main research question is: How have social media trends affected the mental and physical health of young women in the past 10 years? Results: Social media has negative effects on women's mental and physical health which have been linked to the onset and or worsening of anxiety, depression, anorexia nervosa, bulimia and more. Social media's negative effects can be mitigated through social media fluency and education as well as limiting harmful social media exposure to those with individual vulnerability factors such as preexisting mental and physical disorders. Social media can have a positive effect when the content shared is inspirational and incentivizes fitness, health and wellness. Conclusions: The results show that social media trends have the ability to garner both negative and positive effects. The negative effects of social media trends on women's mental and physical health can be mitigated which shows that it is not too late to create change. This change is the collective responsibility of social media users and executives alike to create a safe and inclusive internet culture that gives us a solid foundation to work with as technology and social media gain more influence in the future.