Bandung, IndonesiaSentinel.com — Excessive social media use is increasingly becoming the cause of mental health problems among Indonesians, according to a study conducted in 2014. The research reveals that social media platforms, particularly when used excessively, deal significant risks to the mental health of adults in Indonesia.
Published as collaborative research by Sujarwoto from Universitas Brawijaya Gindo Tampubolon from the University of Manchester, and Adi Cilik Pierewan from Universitas Negeri Yogyakarta in the International Journal of Mental Health and Addiction, titled “A Tool to Help or Harm? Online Social Media Use and Adult Mental Health in Indonesia,” analyzed data from the Indonesia Family Life Survey (IFLS) back in 2014.
This survey involved 22,423 individuals aged 20 and above, spread across 9,987 households in 297 districts across Indonesia.
The study specifically examined the effect of social media platforms like Facebook and Twitter, as well as messaging apps, on the mental health of Indonesian adults. The results are concerning and conclude that excessive use of social media is detrimental to mental health, significantly increasing the risk of depression.
The research highlights that an increase in social media use correlates with a 9 percent rise in an individual’s CES-D score, a scale used to measure depression.
“The findings indicate that social media use negatively impacts adult mental health; a one standard deviation increase in social media use among adults is associated with a 9 percent increase in their CES-D score,” the researchers noted in the study’s abstract, published by Springer.
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Following up on these findings, the researchers promote responsible social media usage among adults through some policies.
“The results suggest that policies offering guidance on the wise use of social media are necessary to protect adults from the harmful effects of online social media on their mental health,” the study recommends.
Social Media is Physically, Psychologically, and Socially Harmfull
Clinical psychologist Linda Setiawati supports these findings, that harmful effects physically, psychologically, and socially can be derived from improper and excessive use of social media. Physically, it can lead to vision problems and sleep disturbances, as prolonged screen time strains the eyes.
“Many people have the habit of checking their social media before bed. They often end up spending hours on it, disrupting their sleep schedule while initially intending to scroll for just 10 minutes,” Linda explained.
Psychologically, excessive social media use can lead to negative self-image, as individuals often compare themselves to others they see online. That leads to negative impacts including cyberbullying, social media addiction, poor social skills, and feelings of loneliness.
“This happens when people compare themselves to others on social media, which can harm their self-esteem,” said Linda, who is a psychologist at Personal Growth.
If left unchecked, this situation could escalate into serious psychological issues such as anxiety and depression. To mitigate the adverse effects of social media, Linda advises adopting a smart and mindful approach to its use. This includes being critical of the content consumed and seeking accurate information to avoid being easily influenced, which can impact mental health.
“Individuals should reflect on their social media habits and use them more wisely. For instance, setting limits or creating a schedule for activities can replace social media use. When used appropriately, social media can be beneficial,” Linda concluded.
(Raidi/Agung)
