Impact of social media on mental health

Abstract

Social media and Social Networking Sites (SNS) represent an area of rapid advancement in digital communication, with direct impact on the lives and communication strategies of athletes. SNS allow for a high degree of connectivity with relative ease. Frequency of social media use and preferred applications tend to differ by age. Younger athletes are more likely to engage in social networks and are specifically at risk for negative effects of social media use. While social networking improves interconnectivity, activity enhancement, and exercise encouragement, it can also lead to issues of cyberbullying, harassment, and depression. Direct access afforded to athletes puts them at risk for being targeted by the public. Harassment and associated emotional distress are amplified due to the ease of publicly available through social media communication. This chapter reviews the present information available on rates of cyberbullying and resulting mental and emotional distress and the impact on athlete’s mental health and well-being. The benefits of social media are also explored with a focus on how collegiate athletic departments can help student-athletes use social media safely and effectively.