Navigating the Virtual Panopticon of Mental Health
In our increasingly interconnected and digitally saturated global society, the fact that substantially 63.9% of the global population spends an average of 2 hours and 21 minutes daily on social media (Smart Insights, February 2025) underscores the profound influence of online life we must critically consider. While online engagement offers communication and information benefits, we must carefully consider its potentially harmful and widespread effects, especially on mental health. In this essay we will explore the negative impacts of online life on human mental health, focusing on the ways in which social media platforms contribute to human insecurities, social isolation, and the fear of missing out. Analyzing how the curated nature of online content and the inherent design of social media platforms foster a sense of constant surveillance and self-regulation. The persuasive nature of online life, fueled by constant exposure to idealized portrayals and the inherent structure of social m...
