There is no doubt that the pandemic has shaped the world into a new jungle. People were isolated from one another for a year, and in some places, it was a little longer, and what has been noticed is how people shifted socially, mentally, and even physically. The most significant part of this ordeal is how much people have changed mentally.

Let’s start with how most have become more addicted to social media. This is apparent when you look at apps like TikTok, Instagram, and Snapchat; I mention these apps because they received the most significant jump in app users during the pandemic. When people have become so reliant on communication and entertainment from short bursts of dopamine it can potentially lead to shorter attention spans, social media addictions, and even a distorted reality. When a person starts developing these forms of escapisms they may become more socially awkward in person, have a shorter attention when having face to face conversations, or feel they need to put on a fake facade, and can have a lack of happiness from day to day life. All of these sound horrible, but let’s not forget the importance social media has become in the aftermath of a strange pandemic, and that is how it connected people from all over the world.

In moderation and if used right, social media can be an incredible tool for humanity; if it becomes an addiction for some, it can lead to a very unhealthy lifestyle and unattainable expectations. If it becomes ill, the person will suffer from depression and narcissism and, as seen many times in the day and age of influencers, suicide. The rise of influencers was caused by what I like to call the “Rise of Pandemic Influencers” because that was the means of communication for so long that it sort of took off and anyone who had a phone could start their journey.

Lastly, the pandemic also led to a new way we gain information on what is happening all over the globe. In this way, we have become more connected and included with others and how they go about their lives. This has led to a wide variety of knowledge in world history, world politics, language connections/learning, and even a broad sense of cultural appreciation. This can be very beneficial mentally because we as humans have a need to be included and involved in something that gives us a “purpose”. Sometimes these can lead to greater division of people, but most of the time it leads to a greater unity if there isn’t a hidden agenda for the reason some join a cause.

Social media will be around for a long time, and whether we like it or not, there’s no way around it. Yet, we must ensure we use moderation and a mixture of face-to-face interactions and phone usage. Since people can become easily addicted to social media use, it is essential to note that mental health and social media use can become conflicted and, if not used properly, can drastically impact your life. It’s not all bad though because we have become more connected in ways that can drastically improve our lives and human connections.