New Delhi: Social media has become an integral part of young people’s lives today. Beyond sharing photos and videos, it has become linked to self-confidence, identity, and emotions. A recent study has revealed that the likes, comments, and followers received on social media have a direct impact on Gen Z’s mental state and happiness.
What did the study reveal?
The study was led by Dr. Jyoti Sidana, Professor in the Department of Sociology at the Government Arts Girls College in Kota, Rajasthan. The research spanned 25 days and involved interviews with 141 female students from various colleges. The aim was to understand how social media is affecting young people’s emotions, relationships, and mental health.
Likes and comments change your mood.
According to the study, 82.9 percent of female students agreed that the likes, comments, and views they receive on their posts directly impact their mood. Another 9.8 percent said it had some impact, while only 7.3 percent said the response they receive on social media had no impact on their mood.
According to research, likes and views are no longer just numbers, but for many young people, they have become a measure of their popularity and social acceptance.
Thousands of followers, yet alone
The most surprising finding of the study was that 61 percent of female students reported feeling lonely in real life despite having thousands of followers. They believe that online relationships don’t provide the same level of intimacy as face-to-face relationships.
Increasing dependence on phones and social media
The research found that 48.2 percent of female students check their phones immediately upon receiving a notification, while 43.9 percent have no set time for phone usage. Nearly 70 percent of female students admitted they would like to temporarily abstain from social media, but this is difficult for them.
Take care of your mental health
The study suggests taking a digital detox from time to time and spending more time with family and friends. Prioritizing genuine relationships and a positive lifestyle is more beneficial for mental health than tying your happiness and self-confidence to social media likes, comments, or followers.