Social Media and Mental Health: Exploring their Complex Relationships
Social media have become a permeating feature of modern life. Billions of individuals use them, to a greater or lesser extent, for a multitude of reasons, in a variety ways, and with a range of foreseen and unforeseen consequences. For example, social media may be experienced as positive and liberating, as when they facilitate connection and shared interests. However, they may also serve as platforms for bullying and harassment, with detrimental effects on the mental health of those affected. Some find it difficult to log off in fear of missing out on something. Others, including healthcare services and -professionals, use social media to attract attention to and provide guidance on mental health-related issues. For many reasons, social media is a relevant factor to assess in relationship to mental health. Advancing the research in this field will increase our understanding of – and instigate public debate about – the many and complex relationships between social media use and mental health. The knowledge provided may guide public and healthcare policies and therapeutic approaches, as well as the directions for further research. Ultimately, it may assist individuals in making sound choices concerning their use of social media.
Guest advisors
Tore Bonsaksen(Inland Norway University of Applied Sciences)
Tore Bonsaksen is based in Norway where he is currently professor in mental health. He began researching social media use in relationship to mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic, a time when social interaction was often heavily based on social media. In particular, his research in this field has been based on quantitative surveys in general population samples and adolescent samples.
Annette Løvheim Kleppang(Inland Norway University of Applied Sciences)
Annette Løvheim Kleppang is based in Norway where she is currently working as a postdoctoral researcher on the topic of lifestyle habits and mental health. The research she has conducted in the field of social media and mental health has been based on quantitative surveys in general population among young people.