Social Media and Mental Health: Allies or Hidden Enemies?
In just two decades, social media has evolved from simple platforms for connection to becoming a central part of everyday life. Today, with over 5.24 billion users in 2025 (We Are Social, 2025), these tools influence how we communicate, work, consume, and, especially, how we perceive our own identity. This digital immediacy has sparked an important debate: are social media platforms improving our mental health by providing access to communities and resources, or are they harming it by fostering social comparison, isolation, and anxiety? The purpose of this post, on October 10th, World Mental Health Day, is to critically analyze, based on evidence, both the positive and negative impacts of social media on mental health. At the same time, we observe emerging trends and the role of responsible marketing in this complex landscape. The Growing Influence of Social Media The rise of platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and Snapchat has transformed how users manage their time, attention, and e...