The document discusses some of the negative effects that increased use of digital media and social media can have on mental health. It notes that while research is still ongoing, studies have found correlations between excessive social media use, especially among teens, and increased rates of mental health issues like depression and anxiety. The constant connectivity enabled by digital devices can also disrupt sleep patterns and promote constant stress responses due to things like social comparison and pressure to curate an ideal online image. However, the document suggests some strategies like limiting notifications and focusing on one task at a time to help mitigate these mental health impacts.

1. The Effects of
digital Media
on Mental
Health
BY: Areege Chaudhary
Ian Sanderson || Flickr

2. Is our
increased
use and
dependence
on digital
media
affecting
our mental
health?
Sean MacEntee || Flickr

3. Although there is no
clear cut answer yet,
psychological
research has observed
that there are added
stresses that come
along with digital
media use.
aaayyymmm || flickr

4. Did you know…
In 2012, 1 in 10
Canadians met the
criteria for at least
one of the following:
major depressive
episode, bipolar
disorder, generalized
anxiety disorder
and/or drug abuse.
|| Molostock || freepikPearson, Caryn, Teresa Janz, and Jennifer Ali. Mental And Substance Use Disorders In Canada. 1st ed. Stancan, 2013. Web. 19 oct, 2016.

5. As well…
In 2015, Ottawa public
health epidemiologists
published a study that
found that teens who
spend more than 2
hours a day on social
media report “poor
self-rated mental
health, psychological
distress, and suicidal
ideation”.
Payne, Elizabeth. "Teens' Poor Mental Health Linked To Social Media Use". Ottawa Citizen. N.p., 2015. Web. 19 Oct. 2016.

6. Although correlation does not always equal
causation, it is beneficial to be aware of
some of the negative affects that DIGITAL
media use is having on our mental wellbeing.
Designed by freepik

7. We’re addicted…
In the age group
where social
media use is
most prevalent
(18-29), it has
been found that
on average,
Canadians spend
roughly 47
hours a week on
the internet.
Krashinsky, Susan. "Four Ways Canadians Are Consuming Media Differently". The Globe and Mail. N.p., 2014. Web. 19 Oct. 2016.

9. Additionally,
Americans
aged 18 and
older spend
more than 11
hours a day
on electronic
devices.
Richter, Felix. "Infographic: Americans Use Electronic Media 11+ Hours A Day". Statista Infographics. N.p., 2015. Web. 19 Oct. 2016.

10. If we are awake
for 16 hours a
day, that’s
almost 70% of
our time staring
at a screen!
vhbphotoart || flickr

11. That also means that we
are spending less time
interacting with the real
world around us.
Its getting so ridiculous
that in some households,
people within the same
building would rather
text each other than talk
face to face.
|| Designed by FreepikBielski, Zosia. "Portrait Of An E-Family: How They're Making Their Hyper-Digital Lives Work". The Globe and Mail. N.p., 2013. Web. 19 Oct. 2016.

12. Notably, In 2015, a
study showed that
having limited
face-to-face social
contact nearly
doubles someone’s
risk of having
depression.
"Research: Face-To-Face Socializing More Powerful Than Phone Calls, Emails In Guarding Against Depression". OHSU. N.p., 2015. Web. 19 Oct. 2016 || JCOMp || Freepik.

13. It also affects our sleeping patterns…
Small electronic
Devices emit enough
light to disrupt our
circadian rhythms
and promote
wakefulness.
Therefore leading to
a less restful sleep.
"Electronics In The Bedroom: Why It’S Necessary To Turn Off Before You Tuck In". National Sleep Foundation. N.p., 2016. Web. 19 Oct. 2016. || jcomp || flickr

14. • Feelings of
loneliness
• A low mood
• Negative thoughts
• Psychotic
episodes
• A general
struggle to deal
with everyday life
A lack of restful
sleep can lead to:
"What Is The Relationship Between Sleep And Mental Health?". Mind.org.uk. N.p., 2016. Web. 19 Oct. 2016. || jimpic || flickr

15. The use of
digital media
promotes
multitasking
In a study conducted by
students in Oregon, USA:
-On average, people perform
better when working on
one task however, people in
the group of “experienced
multi-taskers” perform
better in a multitasking
environment.
-Multitasking is so
prevalent among users of
digital media that their
brains are being rewired to
be more efficient at it.
Reddy, Sumathi. "Teen Researchers Defend Media Multitasking; Doing Homework With Music, Texts, Tweets Works Better For Some". Wall Street Journal. N.p., 2016. web.
Photoduet || flickr

16. HOWEVER, MULTITASKING LEADS TO THE CONSTANT
RELEASE OF ADRENALINE AND CORTISOL. THIS steady
flow of stress can lead to physical ailments
such as headaches and stomach problems, as
well as mental issues like anxiety and depression.
Woolston, Chris. "Multitasking And Stress". Healthday. N.p., 2016. Web. 19 Oct. 2016.

17. In addition
to everything
else, SOCIAL
MEDIA USE in
particular
HAS SOME
NEGATIVE
EFFECTS OF ITS
Own.
alvaro_cabrera || freepik
Whiting, Anita and David Williams. "Why People Use Social Media: A Uses And Gratifications Approach". Qualitative Market Research: An International Journal 16.4 (2013): 362-369. Web.

18. • IT Causes us to compare ourselves to unrealistic
expectations
• We have to constantly worry about maintaining a
“cool” and well-liked online persona
• Spending a lot of time looking at other people’s content
can trigger envy, loneliness and a sense of exclusion.
mkhmarketing || flickrKrasnova, Hanna et al. Envy On Facebook: A Hidden Threat To Users' Life Satisfaction. 1st ed. Berlin: N.p., 2013. Web. 26 Oct. 2016.

19. BUT DON’T
WORRY, THERE IS
a way to ease
the stress and
it doesn’t
involve
throwing away
all of our
electronics!
Jo Naylor || Flickr

20. We can
relieve some
of our
digital media
stresses by
doing the
following:
jcomp || freepik

21. • Shutting off non-
essential notifications
• Putting our phones away
for social interaction
and focus
• not comparing our own
lives with somebody
else’s highlight reel
• Focusing on one thing
at a time
• And, Unplugging from
digital media for a set
time everyday (maybe
before bed!)
champery || flickr