We live in an era where social media is at the forefront of all things. It’s the easiest way to access everything you need in just seconds. Unfortunately, this was the only method for the youth of today due to the impact of the global pandemic. Before the pandemic, though social media still had a large presence, with people using their phones more instead of going outside to interact with others, there were still more options of ways to communicate. Due to the pandemic, there was only one way. Estrangement from others increased as there weren’t ways to physically see others due to the prolonged periods of isolation that took up 2020-2021 in particular. The youth became more accustomed to texting rather than talking to others which have had an impact post-pandemic. The youth of today lack sociability skills they lost during the pandemic due to their lost ways of communicating with others. This has caused an increase in the levels of depression among the youth, as they feel isolated as if they were still stuck within the pandemic. It is reported by the Open Access Government that mental health problems for those between the ages of 15-24 have doubled in the last years due to the pandemic. The idea of socialising with one another has become an increasingly foreign idea, which has affected the mental health of young people who feel more alone than ever. It is harder for young people to reach out and ask for help as they don’t know where to look for help surrounding this subject. COVID-19 came with many consequences across all areas of society and the damage that the global pandemic along with the large consummation of social media has had on the youth has not been considered as important.
The toxicity of social media is important to note as during the pandemic that was the only way to see others. However, the youth was greatly exposed to the toxic beauty standards which continue to change but shape the way we judge and view others and ourselves within society. It is reported that there has been a 15 per cent increase in the number of eating disorders among people under 30 due to the pandemic. What is most important is that the youth know that they are not alone in their feelings and that many others feel exactly the same way. As we reach the final chapters of the pandemic the world is starting to get back to normal which means young people can reach out more to professionals if they are struggling with their mental health. This will hopefully help them makes steps forward in the right direction to help the youth move on from this period of isolation in their lives.
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