Screen, screen on the phone...

Having a wonderful moment, but it is incomplete unless it is shared on the social media.

We are almost conditioned to this way of thinking as number of friends on line can go to thousands. However, there are probably no friends to talk to when the blues hit one.

The online world is the new reality. Everything that used to happen in the real world is also happening on the virtual world ranging from emotions being taken for a rollercoaster ride to fraudsters taking victims for a ride.

Has social media taken control of our lives?

It is something that has been talked about in the past as well but now the social media and its impact has reached another level. This does not mean just getting stressed out by comparing with one’s lives to others which for all probabilities are fake or simply a make believe world.

Have the quieter moments been wiped out?

On one extreme there are people who go to any extent to protect their privacy and on the other side of the scale are the others who live on a thin line of exhibitionism. However, the postings do have good causes as well such as staying in touch as well as showcasing talent and passing on important information.

But it is when there is an element of stress and a lack of well being due to the sense of lacking the situation gets uncomfortable.

How uncomfortable?

Dr Hamed al Sinawi, Senior Consultant Psychiatrist explains in Oman Daily Observer Podcast — Let’s Talk Mental Health.

Social media of course has its advantages so he says the point is to increase the plus points and decrease the negative ones.

Being on social media is an addiction when too much time is being consumed which results in the online world taking over the actual life. So there is literally no personal life, no personal friends instead they are virtual friends, for some it can have an impact on studies as they cannot stop browsing their feed and tweeting, following trends on different social media platforms, according to Dr Hamed. For others, especially if one is following fashionista or lifestyles, there are chances that one can be dissatisfied with their own personal lives.

Dr Hamed said it has even been known to create depression and anxiety because of excess use of social media.

One of the major reasons identified is comparing oneself to others who could even be faking.

Researching on the subject can take you to so many stories of Internet sensations whose real life is far cry from the life of luxury or perfection portrayed online. Lately, it is the filters that have been creating the discomfort with some individuals opting for cosmetic surgeries to look like the online celebrities who have actually benefited from the filters available on different applications.

In the podcast Dr Hamed talks about body images and not being satisfied. People use filters to get more likes and the look is different from the natural looks — it can only be fun but again imagine if one is never able to like the image they see on the mirror and not on a mobile screen.

The pain one goes through if their online post has been ignored is as real as any other pain for the concerned person because of the emotion that is involved. If that is the case, what about the hurtful comments?

Anonymity or at times just plain satisfaction of hurting someone seems to give satisfaction to others. Would they do so face to face? Whether it is off or on line, bullying is a reality and one must learn to tackle it especially if the individual is ready to spend longer time online.

According to Dr Hamed the fact the bullies cannot see the victim and their reaction can be one of the reasons why there is so much more bullying online.

Once again, this too depicts the mental health of the individuals who indulge in cyberbullying or bullying in general.

Tune into the podcast to find out more omanobserver.om.