A leading factor in stress in students other than academics is social media. Throughout my research I concluded that as social media is more commonly used among younger individuals it continues to have a big impact on them. As teens and college students surf Instagram, Twitter, Snapchat… they begin to see what others around the world are doing and how they are living. The key area that social stress starts to rise is when individuals compare themselves to others. Above is a picture from Dan Bilzerain’s Instagram taken in May of 2018. It pictures a Ferrari with a caption “Got a new car, heard it’s fast.” Constantly seeing images and pictures capturing outlandish purchases and adventures can drive young adults into jealous resulting in poor mental health. It is also important to note that this one of the only pictures on his Instagram not including half naked women. Although an exaggerated example, students across the world are looking at accounts of all kinds comparing and wishing their life were like others. Clearly, this can directly lead to low self esteem and social pressures that can have bigger impacts. Similar to academic stress, these pressures can build up and push people over the edge where drugs seem to be the only option. Addiction can be caused by almost anything but low self esteem and social pressures are definitely an important factor.
Bilzerian, Dan. “Ferrari” Instagram.com, 31 May 2018, www.instagram.com/p/BjbwlIOgoNN/
This is interesting Hunter. I realize that you are explaining how social media fuels addictive personalities or exacerbates the conditions that lead to addiction, but it also seems like the social media itself is an addiction. Everyone realistically know that half of what they read is not true, yet they keep reading.