Something Was Wrong: Data Points – How Social Media Impacts Our Mental Health (feat. Dr. Corey Emanuel)
Podcast by Broken Cycle Media
Aired: September 17, 2024

Episode Overview

In this “Data Points” special episode of Something Was Wrong, media psychologist Dr. Corey Emanuel explores how social media usage impacts mental health, brain function, and cognitive development. Drawing from current research and his experience as a psychologist, Dr. Emanuel unpacks both the positive and negative effects of social platforms, offers actionable coping strategies, and encourages self-awareness about digital habits.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Evolution and Prevalence of Social Media

• History & Proliferation
  • Social media began with platforms like Six Degrees, Friendster, and MySpace, but “it was the launch of Facebook in 2004 that truly revolutionized social networking” (03:24).
  • Now, over 62.6% of the world uses social media, averaging 2 hours and 20 minutes daily (02:26).
• Transformation of Communication
  • Platforms like Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok have “fundamentally transformed how we communicate, share information, and interact socially” (04:05).

2. Impact on Attention and Cognitive Performance

• Fragmented Attention
  • “Social media platforms are designed to capture and hold our attention through a constant stream of notifications, updates, and multimedia content” (05:10).
  • Online multitasking and frequent content switching reduce the ability to focus on single activities, such as reading or creative tasks (05:30).
• Compulsive Checking Behavior
  • The “habitual nature of checking social media can create a compulsion to frequently look for new content and interactions instead of completing desired tasks” (05:50).
• Conflicting Research
  • While some studies suggest multitasking doesn’t harm attention, “other literature suggests that extensive multitasking may lead to poor performance on various cognitive tasks” (06:15).
• Information Overload
  • The rapid influx of information can overwhelm users, making it hard to process and retain details—even from important news or interpersonal interactions (06:40).
  • “Developing strategies to minimize interruptions...can help improve information retention and overall learning effectiveness” (07:06).

3. Effects on Memory and Reward Pathways

• Experimental Evidence
  • In a University of Alabama study, students distracted by their phones performed worse on lecture tests, particularly on recent material (07:20).
  • “The students who kept their phones and received distracting messages during the lecture exhibited fragmented attention, which significantly impaired their ability to encode and retain information” (07:50).
• Dopamine and Habit Formation
  • “Social media use can condition users to expect constant stimulation and immediate gratification, triggering the release of dopamine in the brain” (08:05).
  • Repeated exposure to likes, notifications, and positive social signals reinforces compulsive behaviors—comparable to the reward pathway activation seen in drug use (08:35).

4. Cognitive Development & Critical Thinking

• Decreased Deep Learning
  • The “constant influx of brief, often sensationalized content can discourage critical thinking” (09:00).
• Susceptibility to Misinformation
  • “Frequent exposure to misleading or sensational content can shape neural pathways...leading to habitual reliance on emotional cues rather than critical thinking” (09:25).
  • Fake news and disinformation are harder for users to detect or question, which can perpetuate cycles of misinformation (09:41).

5. Social Media and Mental Health

• Stress, Anxiety, and Depression
  • Prolonged or negative social media use “can lead to increased stress, anxiety and depression,” especially for victims of cyberbullying or cyberstalking (10:03).
  • These forms of digital harassment create “a sense of helplessness and constant vigilance” (10:25).
• Parasocial Relationships and Self-Esteem
  • “One-sided relationships where individuals form strong emotional connections with celebrities, influencers, or online personas...can lead to unhealthy comparisons impacting one's self esteem” (10:55).
• Potential for Addiction
  • “Experiencing symptoms of altered brain functioning or mental health challenges might indicate an addiction to social media” (11:15).

6. Coping Strategies & Resources

• Self-Awareness and Assessment
  • Dr. Emanuel encourages users to “interrogate how they feel before and after social media use” (11:30).
  • Recognizing patterns (“comparisons...can trigger feelings of imposter syndrome and low self esteem”) can signal a need to take breaks or set time limits (11:45).
• Seeking Support
  • “If you find that these issues are affecting your mental health and well being, it's okay to seek support from a licensed mental health professional” (12:00).
  • Additional resources and links are available at somethingwaswrong.com/resources.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “As a media psychologist, I am frequently asked, how is social media use affecting our brains? Which is a valid question.” – Dr. Corey Emanuel (02:09)
• “Social media platforms are designed to capture and hold our attention through a constant stream of notifications, updates, and multimedia content.” – Dr. Corey Emanuel (05:10)
• “The habitual nature of checking social media can create a compulsion...instead of completing desired tasks.” – Dr. Corey Emanuel (05:50)
• “Social media use can condition users to expect constant stimulation and immediate gratification, triggering the release of dopamine in the brain.” – Dr. Corey Emanuel (08:05)
• “One-sided relationships...with celebrities, influencers, or online personas...can lead to unhealthy comparisons impacting one's self esteem.” – Dr. Corey Emanuel (10:55)
• “Recognizing these signs can be an indication to take a break from social media or set alerts to limit your usage.” – Dr. Corey Emanuel (11:45)
• “If you find that these issues are affecting your mental health and well being, it's okay to seek support from a licensed mental health professional.” – Dr. Corey Emanuel (12:00)

Key Timestamps

| Timestamp | Topic | |-----------|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 01:40 | Introduction to “Data Points” and episode’s purpose | | 02:09 | Dr. Emanuel on the central question: How is social media affecting our brains? | | 03:24 | Social media evolution; Facebook’s pivotal role | | 05:10 | Effects on attention and multitasking | | 07:20 | University of Alabama study: phone distractions and memory | | 08:05 | Dopamine, reward pathways, and compulsive behavior | | 09:00 | Impact on deep learning and critical thinking | | 10:03 | Mental health challenges: stress, anxiety, and depression | | 10:55 | Parasocial relationships and self-esteem | | 11:30 | Self-assessment: Interrogating feelings before and after social media use | | 12:00 | Encouragement to seek professional help if needed |

Resources

• For the full list of referenced research, notes, and mental health resources: somethingwaswrong.com/resources
• Follow Dr. Corey Emanuel: @coryemanuel or visit coryemanuel.com

This episode maintains an educational, supportive tone while distilling actionable advice for listeners to examine and improve their relationship with social media.