FOMO: Nearly Half of the Teens are Stressed by Social Media

An Australian survey said nearly half of Australian teens feel their peers are having more rewarding experiences than they are, chiefly fueled by social media.

A new report looking at the way social media impacts wellbeing suggests that the fear of missing out (or FOMO) generated by high levels of social media use can lead to depression and anxiety.

The finding is one of a number documented in the fifth annual National Stress and Wellbeing in Australia Survey, which has documented the impact of social media use on wellbeing for the first time the last year.

Snapchat may Stand Out from Other Social Media Apps
Since Facebook has become a space for sharing crafted big moments, Snapchat seems to provide users with a distinct space for sharing the small moments.

‘It is up to parents and policymakers to make sure teenagers are getting enough information about what is and is not "real" in cyber space, as well as methods to cope with the social and emotional pressures of social media.’

The report from the Australian Psychology Society (APS) also said close to 60 percent of teens have trouble sleeping or relaxing after accessing social media sites and a similar number feel burnt out by constant connectivity.

Other key findings included teens worrying about friends having fun without them and feeling anxious if they did not know what their friends were doing.

Flinders University senior social work lecturer Dr Mubarak Rahamathulla said FOMO was opening the door to more concerning feelings, like anxiety and depression. "FOMO is a real thing — my research and research all over the world is repeatedly indicating that it is a fact," he said.

UK Man With Crohn�s Disease Reveals His Reality Struggles on Social Media
Crohn's disease affects about 1.6 million people in the United States and there is no cure for this disease. It causes inflammation in the digestive tract.

Those who reported extremely severe levels of anxiety, distress and depression used addictive behaviors such as drinking, smoking, taking drugs and gambling to relieve stress at much higher rates than others.

Since 2011, the most common way of relieving stress was watching TV or movies although friends and family were said to be the most effective in helping people manage their anxiety.

Social Media Posts Linked To Critical Health Information
The language we use and the information we post in social media may offer valuable insights into the relationship between our everyday lives and our health.

Source-Medindia

Internet, Social Media Friends can Motivate to Make You More Fit
Promotional messages caused an initial bump in class attendance but the motivational effects soon wore off, while 'Health buddies' were much more effective.