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7 out of 10 students use social media for 5 hrs or more: Study

Dubai - Despite the popularity of social media platforms, however, there is still a lack of clear data about how they affect people.

A staggering 7 out of 10 or 69.7 per cent of students in the UAE use social media for five hours or more every day, according to a study conducted by a team of students from the Canadian University Dubai (CUD).
The wide-ranging study into the impact of social media on the youth in the region, aimed at raise awareness over mental health and wellbeing, addressed the question: "Prevalence of mental health disorders in the youth: To what extent is social media to blame?"
The research cited a range of developmental and societal factors that can affect a young person's mental health, concluding that deeper studies are required to consider these broader contexts.
Gaia Cianci, a second-year Public Relations student who compiled the final project report, said: "Through the research, I concluded that social media can be a factor in mental health disorders; therefore, it is important to control its usage and not to rely on social networks to share every aspect of our lives."
Despite the popularity of social media platforms, however, there is still a lack of clear data about how they affect people, particularly the youth with their social behaviours and mental health. Studies conducted were mostly observational or correlational in nature, which means they don't establish whether or not one is affecting or causing the other.
The 'Fear of Missing Out' or what the millennials (young generation) call as FOMO, is a mental state that's been strongly linked with the use of social media.
Psychologists explained that the prevalent use of social media has created a world where people are always on the lookout what their friends are doing at almost any time of day - and "this is not necessarily a good thing". People feel that they could have been at events or places but were not and this is what is called as FOMO.
But some youth consider social media as helpful. CUD third-year Public Relations student Fatma Ali said: "In my own experience, I consider social media to be essential. I rely on it not only for entertainment but also for career-related functions. However, the research and the debate were an eye-opener to me. Nevertheless, personally, I am fully aware of the possible negative impact social media might have on mental health, and with that awareness, comes guarding myself against that impact."
Dr Rommel Pilapil Sergio, counselling psychology expert and psychology professor at CUD, explained: "We all know that social media is not that bad at all, especially if you know how to mediate its use. For some, it can even be therapeutic in releasing tensions, in expressing themselves, and in spreading positivity. However, many studies have also outlined the ill effects of social media leading to negative psychosocial and physical results, such as impairment of academic failure, social deficits, criminal activities and even death.
"While not yet officially codified within a psychopathological framework, social network addiction is indeed growing in prevalence and has attracted the attention of people from the helping professions," he added.
The bottom line is: "Social media use can harm your mental health, especially when it's used more frequently. Setting limits and sticking to them can help minimise these effects."
(with inputs from WAM)
angel@khaleejtimes.com

Can't ignore the study, warns expert
Dr Rommel Pilapil Sergio, counselling psychology expert and psychology professor at Canadian University Dubai (CUD), said the study can't be ignored. "Globally, a number of studies have demonstrated the mental health implications of excessive indulgence to social networks.
"Though not officially recognised as a disorder in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th Edition (this has been the diagnostic bible for many psychologists and psychiatrists), excessive use of social network's prevalence in American and European cultures is staggering - affecting up to 8.2 per cent of the general population."
"However, some reports suggest it affects up to 38 per cent of the general population. A global study I have read recently has shown that 61 per cent of people felt jealous, depressed, sad or annoyed after checking updates on their social media account," Dr Sergio added.