Social Media and Mental Health Flashcards

A set of vocabulary flashcards covering the impact of social media on mental health, including key statistics, research findings, and healthy habit strategies.

Filtered highlights

The curated and edited versions of life that people post online, which users often mistakenly compare to their own everyday real lives.

U.S. Surgeon General's 2023 Advisory

A report stating that adolescents who spend more than $3$ hours per day on social media face approximately twice the risk of experiencing symptoms of depression and anxiety.

American Psychological Association

An organization that highlights how social media plays a role in concerns involving body image, anxiety, and emotional well-being among adolescents.

Social comparison

The process of evaluating one's own appearance, accomplishments, and lifestyle against the highlights shared by others online.

Social rewards

Specific mechanisms of engagement, such as likes, comments, and notifications, that can make social media use feel rewarding and encourage constant checking.

Fear Of Missing Out (FOMO)

The feeling that other people are experiencing something exciting or meaningful without you, often triggered by seeing posts of friends at events or vacations.

Sleep disruption

A negative side effect of social media use where activities like endless scrolling interfere with getting enough rest, often pushing bedtimes past intended hours.

Cyberbullying

One of the negative experiences mentioned by the U.S. Surgeon General's Advisory that can contribute to poor mental health outcomes.

Lambert et al. (2022) Study

Research which found that participants taking a one-week break from social media saw significant improvements in well-being and reductions in depression and anxiety.

Orben et al. (2024)

Researchers who identified social comparison and social rewards as key mechanisms linking social media use to adolescent mental health vulnerability.

Screen-time limit

A strategy for creating healthier habits by choosing specific times of day or a maximum duration for using social media apps.

Selective Following

The practice of unfollowing or muting accounts that cause negative emotions while following those that are positive, educational, or motivating.

Mayo Clinic Strategies

Recommendations for health including limiting screen time, exercising, participating in hobbies, and spending time with family and friends.