Frequently asked questions
- General FAQ
Scientists are continuing to study the effects of excessive social media consumption on mental and physical health. Overall, excessive social media consumption, especially by younger users, is associated with increased reports of depression, anxiety, low self-esteem, body image issues, eating disorders, and insomnia. The risk of experiencing these symptoms is even higher among those users that experience cyberbullying, cyberstalking, or sexual harassment on social media platforms. For example, a Snapchat user may become obsessed with maintaining "Snap Streaks," a feature that rewards daily interaction and can cause anxiety and sleep deprivation. Another user might develop body image issues or "Snapchat Dysmorphia" from the constant use of appearance-altering filters that promote unrealistic beauty standards.

