The contemporary communication tools known collectively as the media affect modern life in countless different ways. The media once comprised mainly newspapers, magazines, radio, and TV; today, it also includes social media , podcasts, streaming networks, blogs, and countless other online outlets.
How Social Media Affects Society
For many people in the developed world, a large part of their social life takes place not in their immediate environments, but in the virtual worlds of Facebook, Twitter, and other forms of social media .
While social media has been a vital link for many who live far from sources of support like friends and family, psychologists have begun to express concern about research suggesting that rather than increasing connection, social media may, in fact, be making many people lonelier, less secure, and more isolated than before. Some psychologists have concluded social media use may be linked to increased rates of depression and suicide as well, though other researchers have countered such claims. Rigorously conducted studies tend to conclude that the overall impact of social media on mental health is minimal.
Social media has also come under fire for its role in increasing political polarization and for its willing or unwilling abetment of the spread of “ fake news ” around the world. But whatever the pros and cons of social media, most agree that it’s unlikely to go away any time soon.
Alarming rises in anxiety and depression among younger generations, many of whom spend much of their time on smartphones and social media, have led some experts to posit that social media is directly responsible for declining youth mental health. But sweeping claims that tech is hurting teens’ mental health may be based on shaky evidence. One large and rigorous study, for example, found that digital technology did have a slightly negative relationship with teens’ mental health—but so did eating potatoes and wearing glasses. While more work needs to be done, worries that new technology is universally harmful are not supported by evidence .
How Mental Health and Mental Illness Are Portrayed in the Media
How society views mental health and mental illness is in many ways shaped by mass media. But while some TV shows, news reports, and other kinds of media present balanced, accurate depictions of psychological challenges, experts warn that many are rife with inaccuracies, spreading misinformation and potentially contributing to widespread social stigma .
But while misleading information about mental illness continues to appear in popular media, in recent years, more open conversations about mental health—especially on social media platforms—have led to more nuanced and arguably more accurate portrayals. Many believe that honest discussions of the challenges and symptoms that characterize mental illness may help lessen societal stigma, especially if paired with information that humanizes individuals and families who live with psychiatric disorders.
Some media portrayals make certain mental illnesses seem much less debilitating than they truly are or paint those with mental illnesses as dramatic or attention -seeking, which may discourage people from seeking help in real life. Other mental health problems are presented as frightening or dangerous. For instance, mental illnesses more broadly are often blamed for acts of violence, especially mass shootings , whether or not there was evidence beforehand that any were present. Experts argue that this narrative demonizes individuals with mental illness and ignores that the mentally ill are at greater risk of being the victims of crimes than the general population.
Experts have long warned that irresponsible coverage of suicide in the media could trigger copycat suicides in already vulnerable populations. Responsible coverage of suicide entails withholding unnecessary, sensationalized details about the death (such as the method of suicide or contents of a suicide note); avoiding language that criminalizes or stigmatizes suicide; and including information about suicide prevention resources.
Why We Care About Celebrities
Even those who don’t closely follow celebrity gossip usually can’t help but be a little enamored by the lives of actors, athletes, and even Instagram influencers. Though some devotees genuinely find celebrity lives interesting, many people are drawn to the rich and famous because they themselves crave wealth and notoriety.
Vicariously observing celebrity life may also be an attractive pastime because, from a distance, many famous people appear powerful, flawless, and above all, happy—which can serve as a distraction when one’s own real life is going poorly. But while many celebrities are undoubtedly satisfied with their lot in life, psychological research—and plenty of anecdotal evidence—make clear that fame and fortune don’t necessarily equate with contentment.
Some experts warn that focusing too much on celebrities can cause mental distress or decrease a follower’s satisfaction with their own life—to say nothing of the negative effects of the attention on the mental health of the rich and famous themselves.
Parasocial relationships are one-sided relationships, often with celebrities or other public figures . The fan will typically experience feelings of affection and attachment to the celebrity—who, meanwhile, has no knowledge of the fan’s existence. Parasocial relationships have been studied since the 1950s; increasing access to celebrities’ lives and personalities via social media, however, may make them more prevalent and intense than they once were.
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