The Sunday Times spoke to 23 people including social workers, counsellors, psychologists and parents, who said the impact of social media on the mental health of the young in Singapore is concerning. And not just in terms of cyber bullying.
Mr Cho Ming Xiu, founder and executive director of mental advocacy non-profit Campus PSY, said most young people find it difficult not to check on their friends on social media and compare their lives. He added: “You can’t just do well in your studies. You have to be an all-rounder—you have to have a good CCA record, secure a good internship at a reputable company.” “This constant competition emphasized by social media channels by their peers—when everyone is posting about good things—intensifies competition, and young people find it stressful.”
Psychologists say the deluge(大量涌来) of attractive posts can trigger feelings of inferiority(自卑) or inadequacy, especially among young people with less experience to distinguish the social media world from real life.
Assistant director of Touch Mental Wellness Andrea Chan said: “Seeing good things can draw much envy and comparison, while identification with bad things can lead to a negative spiral(恶性循环).” And the reinforcement of pleasure-seeking posting on social media can result in addiction, said the head of psychology at the Singapore University of Social Science.
Ms Lee Yi Ping, principal case manager and programme lead of Community Health Assessment Team, said: “In the event a young person feels disappointed or rejected by the responses received, the distress is often left unnoticed unless the young person openly talks about it with another trusted person.” “Support must come from family and friends who can constantly remind the young people that no matter how challenging a life circumstance can be, they can overcome it.” She added: “With timely and appropriate medical and psycho-social interventions by formal sources of support like helping professionals, coupled with informal sources of support like family and friends, young people stand a better chance with recovery and reclaim of capability to pursue their ambitions in life.”
The experts say if these pressures are left unchecked, negative thoughts and feelings from social media can contribute to depression, anxiety and eating disorders.
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