Uses and Trends
Social media in today’s world can be easily accessed and it is basically in the palms of every person’s hands. Through a simple technological device with the capability of connecting to the internet, individuals are able to get on social media and view all postings that have been published. To bring it into culture, social media has definitely planted its roots well into society. As with the ability to share information, media, and thoughts, people are able to use social media to circulate their words, pictures, and videos. Trying to maintain a positive image for themselves, people attempt to uphold a certain standard and tend to show only the good aspect of their lives which creates an illusion of a lavish life for their audience. As a trend of social media, comparisons are drawn every second, creating a culture of individuals showcasing their best moments of their life and individuals who idolize such people.
Disruptive Impact
In a report by Maeve Duggan published by Pew Research Center, social media platforms presents themselves as easy areas to target other users for cases of online harassment. As people are able to hide behind the screen and have the false confidence of not having to confront their target in person, harassment is easy over the Internet. According to the report, “For those who experience online harassment directly, these encounters can have profound real-world consequences, ranging from mental or emotional stress to reputational damage or even fear for one’s personal safety,” online harassment can negatively affect the victim’s mental state and well-being. Despite just being words thrown over the Internet, hurtful comments can be displayed to the general public to see, which creates the possibility of a much larger audience who may be joining in with laughing at the victim.
In the YouTube video, Trisha Prabhu addresses the event of a young girl’s suicide due to bullying on the Internet. It goes to show that even if words on the Internet, they may be hurtful to the point that the victim(s) may take their own life.
Predictions
In Trisha Prabhu’s response to her understanding of how a young girl sought out the solution of suicide after being bullied, she created Rethink. The product allows people who are attempting to post an offensive message on a social media platform to reconsider their decision on the post and what they are about to display.
By creating more opportunities to allow online bullies to rethink of their messages and posts before they generate negative feedback, there may be a decrease in activities regarding cyber bullying and online harassment. As another result, this may lead to an improvement in mental health when viewing online posts and discussions that are free of hateful messages and displays.
Social Media And Mental Health 