Social Anxiety in the Age of Social Media

Perhaps one of the most relevant national conversations to tap into these days is the one centered on discovering the effects, positive and negative, of allowing technology to assume such a vital place in our homes and lives. The advances of technology are vast and undeniable in their ability to allow us to stay in constant contact, and participate in day to day life with others that we’ve never met, or even with those who live across the globe. Information is readily available in the palm of our hands, as are the tools we’ve come to rely on to complete our day to day tasks. 

In many ways, apps have revolutionized the way that we do things in the world, and have even known to complement the services offered in the treatment industry (The Role of Technology in Recovery), but why with all this potential for connection does it seem that we are the least connected society, more depressed¹ and anxious² than ever before? True, the dark side of social media exposure is found in its linkage with mental health concerns such as poor psychological functioning³ that leads to negative self-perception⁴, and even loneliness and suicidal ideation⁵.

Social anxiety is just one of the outcomes of today’s hyper-connected yet disbanded and distraught social frontier, and is the term used to describe the fear of being scrutinized or judged when in various social situations, and the resulting anxiety.  In many ways, social media has become just one more landscape for adults and adolescents alike to seek and confront the judgements of one another and to see how they “measure up”. 

A Developmental Perspective

Based on a summary of the research, it is known that from a very early age, even at 2-3 years old, children have the ability to experience negative feelings when subject to criticism or disapproval, although it is not until about 8 years of age when they begin to feel self-conscious. This is often based on their newfound understanding of themselves as a social object and their ability to anticipate a negative evaluation from others. Thus, research traditionally has understood the average age of onset for social phobia and the related anxiety to be in this stage, between early and late adolescence. 

The developmental life stage of adolescence denotes the beginning of many physical, cognitive and social changes, and represents an increased focus on identity development. These years especially require rapid adaptations in order to assimilate to changing environments, maintaining one’s online presence representing just a single aspect. Within this period of time, there exists a need for creating new friendships, and for existing friendships to be taken to new depths, which may in turn trigger the onset of increased social fears: whether about not being liked, not having anyone to sit with, or of being laughed at or perceived as “different”.  

Identity Machine

Further, with the advent of social media that involves curating “profiles” to represent perfectly who you are, and users encouraged to seek validation through likes and comments from others, I believe that we are passing along this type of social learning, as well as the anxieties that come along with it, at younger and younger ages. 

What will the children whose birth was announced on social media platforms come to feel about having every milestone of their lives documented online? Will they as adolescents be able to place their identity in things other than their number of followers, friends, or “likes” or having a well laid-out platform? Will it become a part of being a ‘good parent’ that in addition to all other responsibilities, they will have the added task to create the framework for their child’s online presence, and a symptom of poverty that they do not have the luxury of time to do this? Will those who choose to abstain from posting be ahead or behind in the social races? How will the anxieties of the parents be passed along to their children; through obsession or avoidance? 

The social media landscape simply adds one more layer of complexity to an adolescent’s task of discovering who they are, and where their identity lies. 

Hiding behind the screen

Whether it is the chicken or the egg, it is known that people with more anxious temperaments may behave in ways that earn them the title of being ‘different’, and are more likely to be teased, bullied, or rejected by others. Well intentioned attempts to protect oneself by avoiding social interactions may affect one’s current perception of themselves, their social skills, and future social interactions, as they often learn to label themselves as ‘incompetent’. 

While these individuals may find freedom in discovering communities to belong to online, they may also use technology as a crutch, and never force themselves to engage with the tactile world. While online relationships can be the link that connects them back to the real world, they may also become an excuse to remain in their avoidance. 

Today’s generation faces many challenges in navigating their social world that are only becoming more layered and complex with the passing of time. It is still unclear how today’s advances in technology are truly affecting us, and how they will affect future generations. However what is clear, without ever having to watch an episode of Black Mirror, is a need for balance with technology in our lives.

Sources:

¹van den Eijnden, R., Meerkerk, G. J., Vermulst, A. A., Spijkerman, R., & Engels, R. (2008). Online communication, compulsive Internet use, and psychosocial well-being among adolescents: A longitudinal study. Developmental Psychology, 44, 655–665.10.1037/0012-1649.44.3.655

²Xiuqin, H., Zhang, H., Li, M., Wang, J., Zhang, Y., & Tao, R. (2010). Mental health, personality, and parental rearing styles of adolescents with Internet addiction disorder. Cyberpsychology, Behavior and Social Networking, 13, 401–406.10.1089/cyber.2009.0222

³Sampasa-Kanyinga, H., & Lewis, R. F.(2015). Frequent use of social networking sites is associated with poor psychological functioning among children and adolescents. Cyberpsychology, Behavior, and Social Networking, 18, 380–385.10.1089/cyber.2015.0055

⁴Fiovaranti, G., Dettore, D., & Casale, S.(2012). Adolescent Internet addiction: Testing the association between self-esteem, the perception of Internet attributes, and preference for online social interactions. Cyberpsychology, Behavior and Social Networking, 15, 318–323.10.1089/cyber.2011.0358

⁵Mitchell, S. M., Danielle, R., Guidry, E., & Cukrowicz, K. C. (2015). The relationship between video game play and the acquired capability for suicide: An examination of differences by category of video game and gender. Cyberpsychology, Behavior, and Social Networking, 18, 757–762.10.1089/cyber.2015.0171