COMMITTEE ON ENVIRONMENT, PUBLIC HEALTH AND FOOD SAFETY (ENVI)
Start
Relevance and explanation of the problem
Key terms
Impression management
TITLE HERE
Anxiety disorders
Social Apathy
Digital Well-Being
Depression
Authenticity
Info
Info
Info
Info
Info
Info
Key Actors and Stakeholders
Social Media Users
The Directorate General for Informatics (DIGIT)
Mental Health Europe (MHE)
Key Actors and Stakeholders
Social Media Companies
Content Creators and Influencers
Key Conflicts
Measures in Place
Measures in Place
Digital education initiatives
Digital Services Act (DSA)
Communication on a new comprehensive approach to mental health:
Maximum waiting times
Collective Actions for Positive Changes
Key Questions
Links for further research
Social media has become an integral aspect of our daily lives, experiencing significant growth in users over the past decade. People engage by sharing images to remain connected, updated, and in touch with others. Given our innate social nature, the desire for interpersonal contact is fulfilled through social media, accessible anytime and anywhere. However, the increasing impact of these platforms on our lives has raised concerns about their correlation with mental health.
Social media offers users an avenue to voice their opinions and engage with like-minded individuals. While this fosters empowerment and a sense of community, it can also give rise to groupthink and conformity pressures.
Addiction and its consequences
Paradoxically, despite online connectivity, social media usage may not effectively provide the support sought by lonely and socially anxious individuals, leading to a disconnection from genuine interactions and meaningful relationships. In addition adolescents face cyberbullying and harassment on social media, leading to stress, anxiety, and depression. Excessive use contributes to digital addiction and disrupts sleep, impacting well-being and productivity. Studies suggest heavy social media use heightens the risk of suicidal ideation and self-harm, especially among vulnerable populations.
Another key conflict is social media addiction, exacerbating mental health issues and negatively impacting well-being. Social media's addictive nature triggers compulsive behaviour, making it challenging for users to disengage. Neuroscientific studies have shown that the brain's response to social media stimuli, such as likes and notifications, closely resembles the neural pathways activated by substances like drugs or alcohol. The constant need for validation through likes and comments contributes to feelings of dependency, anxiety, and diminished self-worth.
Mental health in Europe's healthcare
Addressing the negative impact of social media on mental health, is challenged by the insufficient availability of mental health facilities and resources within EU healthcare systems. Rising anxiety, depression, and related mental health issues require accessible support. Limited access to therapy, long waiting lists, and a lack of specialised facilities hinder timely intervention. The EU must prioritise mental well-being and foster a healthier digital environment for citizens.
Profit vs public health
Social media companies operate within a profit-driven model, where financial success heavily depends on user engagement and data monetization. However, this profit-driven approach can lead to conflicts with promoting user well-being. The EU faces the challenge of protecting citizens' mental health while respecting digital innovation. The EU's complex regulatory environment has at times been criticised for inadvertently stifling innovation due to the need to balance various interests and concerns. Digital innovation has transformed societies in unprecedented ways, enabling new modes of communication, collaboration, and economic growth, but ever-growing technological advancements can come at the expense of user wellbeing.
The decline in mental health
Research reveals a surge in anxiety and depression rates especially among youth, heavily engaged with social media. However, it is not just hate speech or disinformation furthering this problem; exposure to curated images and social comparisons also triggers feelings of inadequacy and anxiety. Social media's portrayal of ideal beauty standards negatively impacts self-esteem and body image, particularly in vulnerable young individuals.
As with freedom of innovation, freedom of expression is a fundamental democratic value that the EU holds dear. However, the digital age has complicated the exercise of this right, as online platforms and social media can amplify hate speech, disinformation, and harmful content. This harmful element of social media is a contributing factor to the empirical evidence showing worsening mental health among EU citizens.
ENVI
Agata Adamiak
Created on August 18, 2023
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Transcript
COMMITTEE ON ENVIRONMENT, PUBLIC HEALTH AND FOOD SAFETY (ENVI)
Start
Relevance and explanation of the problem
Key terms
Impression management
TITLE HERE
Anxiety disorders
Social Apathy
Digital Well-Being
Depression
Authenticity
Info
Info
Info
Info
Info
Info
Key Actors and Stakeholders
Social Media Users
The Directorate General for Informatics (DIGIT)
Mental Health Europe (MHE)
Key Actors and Stakeholders
Social Media Companies
Content Creators and Influencers
Key Conflicts
Measures in Place
Measures in Place
Digital education initiatives
Digital Services Act (DSA)
Communication on a new comprehensive approach to mental health:
Maximum waiting times
Collective Actions for Positive Changes
Key Questions
Links for further research
Social media has become an integral aspect of our daily lives, experiencing significant growth in users over the past decade. People engage by sharing images to remain connected, updated, and in touch with others. Given our innate social nature, the desire for interpersonal contact is fulfilled through social media, accessible anytime and anywhere. However, the increasing impact of these platforms on our lives has raised concerns about their correlation with mental health.
Social media offers users an avenue to voice their opinions and engage with like-minded individuals. While this fosters empowerment and a sense of community, it can also give rise to groupthink and conformity pressures.
Addiction and its consequences
Paradoxically, despite online connectivity, social media usage may not effectively provide the support sought by lonely and socially anxious individuals, leading to a disconnection from genuine interactions and meaningful relationships. In addition adolescents face cyberbullying and harassment on social media, leading to stress, anxiety, and depression. Excessive use contributes to digital addiction and disrupts sleep, impacting well-being and productivity. Studies suggest heavy social media use heightens the risk of suicidal ideation and self-harm, especially among vulnerable populations.
Another key conflict is social media addiction, exacerbating mental health issues and negatively impacting well-being. Social media's addictive nature triggers compulsive behaviour, making it challenging for users to disengage. Neuroscientific studies have shown that the brain's response to social media stimuli, such as likes and notifications, closely resembles the neural pathways activated by substances like drugs or alcohol. The constant need for validation through likes and comments contributes to feelings of dependency, anxiety, and diminished self-worth.
Mental health in Europe's healthcare
Addressing the negative impact of social media on mental health, is challenged by the insufficient availability of mental health facilities and resources within EU healthcare systems. Rising anxiety, depression, and related mental health issues require accessible support. Limited access to therapy, long waiting lists, and a lack of specialised facilities hinder timely intervention. The EU must prioritise mental well-being and foster a healthier digital environment for citizens.
Profit vs public health
Social media companies operate within a profit-driven model, where financial success heavily depends on user engagement and data monetization. However, this profit-driven approach can lead to conflicts with promoting user well-being. The EU faces the challenge of protecting citizens' mental health while respecting digital innovation. The EU's complex regulatory environment has at times been criticised for inadvertently stifling innovation due to the need to balance various interests and concerns. Digital innovation has transformed societies in unprecedented ways, enabling new modes of communication, collaboration, and economic growth, but ever-growing technological advancements can come at the expense of user wellbeing.
The decline in mental health
Research reveals a surge in anxiety and depression rates especially among youth, heavily engaged with social media. However, it is not just hate speech or disinformation furthering this problem; exposure to curated images and social comparisons also triggers feelings of inadequacy and anxiety. Social media's portrayal of ideal beauty standards negatively impacts self-esteem and body image, particularly in vulnerable young individuals.
As with freedom of innovation, freedom of expression is a fundamental democratic value that the EU holds dear. However, the digital age has complicated the exercise of this right, as online platforms and social media can amplify hate speech, disinformation, and harmful content. This harmful element of social media is a contributing factor to the empirical evidence showing worsening mental health among EU citizens.