How Facebook is Having a Negative Impact on You

Do you know that Facebook can be harmful to you? Nearly everyone in the world uses Facebook. There is hardly a country that hasn’t heard of Facebook. Undeniably many would say positive things about Facebook, such as ease of communication, making new friends etc. However, the majority somehow tend to completely ignore the negative aspect of using it.

Very few people take the time to consider the negative impact of Facebook — the long-term effects it has on one’s mental health. If you’re concerned about the psychological effects of Facebook and how it can influence your day-to-day life. Check out below the various ways Facebook might be having a negative impact on you.

Negative Impact of Facebook

It creates jealousy within relationships.

What happens when you look at your Facebook timeline? You see friends taking lavish trips around the world. You view new relationship statuses—engagement and marriage announcements—while you remain single or trapped in a relationship that doesn’t measure up. Furthermore, you notice people updating their profiles with beautiful pictures, job promotions, and moves to new, exotic locations.

In your eyes, they are living the dream and you are stuck in rut, day after day. However, the way people are posting on Facebook — and your routine of constantly checking Facebook itself—is giving you a tainted view of reality. Not everyone who posts fabulous highlights is actually loving their life. And often times, this leads to jealousy amongst Facebook friends, friends

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you see in person and your romantic partner. Needless to say, this cycle of jealousy, caused by Facebook, is having a negative impact on you and your relationships.

It gives you a greater sense of sadness and loneliness.

Remember, comparison is the thief of joy. When you’re scrolling through Facebook and notice everyone being invited to parties and taking vacations elsewhere, it could easily make you feel left out. You see all of your friends in pictures, laughing and appearing to have a great time…while you’re at home in your pajamas on a Friday night.

It’s important to keep in mind the old adage of the grass not always being greener on the other side. A friend’s “perfect life” might contain several hardships that aren’t shared on Facebook. In the meantime, you probably can’t help but feel at least slightly more sad or lonely when you compare your average circumstances with another’s seemingly glamorous lifestyle. It’s just another negative impact of Facebook on you.

It becomes addictive.

Facebook, like many other types of social media, has a way of drawing us into its many features. What started out as a way to connect with our friends soon became a platform for games, videos, recipes, informative groups and pages, shopping, news, messaging, and profitable Facebook ads. It’s not only a resource for individuals, but it is also a way for people to make money since it’s such a high-traffic marketing tool.

Just imagine how Facebook affect you. Perhaps it’s your go-to app when you want to find out global information. It’s how you stay in touch with long-distance relatives and friends. You open the app on your mobile device when you’re uncomfortable or surrounded by strangers. Facebook then becomes a habit when you first wake up in the morning and before you go to sleep at night. It becomes an all-inclusive solution to many of your problems: boredom, curiosity, discomfort, etc. And eventually, it becomes a full-blown addiction—thus, having a negative impact on you.

The Takeaways

Facebook has taken the world by storm with its popularity. It has allowed people to stay connected with each other, it’s been a platform for fun and games, and it has even developed into a business opportunity. Although Facebook holds many positive attributes, in very significant ways, it often has a negative impact on you. Beware of the negativity Facebook can create in your life—jealousy, sadness, and addiction—before it escalates to an overwhelming problem.