Citation

Hussenoeder FS. Front. Digit. Health 2022; 4.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2022, Frontiers Media)

DOI

10.3389/fdgth.2022.939740

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Social network sites (SNSs) have become ubiquitous around the globe and interwoven with all aspects of life. In this article, I will argue that the communicative infrastructure of SNSs, i.e., all SNS-elements that allow users to communicate, is a key element for understanding their impact as it creates environments in which users, their behaviors, and social interactions are embedded. These digital environments facilitate and encourage fundamental mechanisms of implicit learning from feedback as well as observation in an unprecedented way. I will discuss how these technology-based learning environments impact the mental health of their users, e.g., by linking negative online feedback to depression and following influencers to disturbed eating. The article ends with a conclusion that emphasizes the advantages of understanding SNSs as environments in order to reflect the complexity, relevance, and ubiquitousness of the phenomenon. 2022 Hussenoeder.

Language: en

Keywords

theory; human; social interaction; mental health; suicide; depression; technology; anger; anxiety; wellbeing; eating disorder; life satisfaction; academic achievement; mental stress; self esteem; job performance; vulnerable population; Article; sleep quality; social media; online harassment; psychological feedback; online social network; digital environments; learning from feedback; learning from observation; social network sites; virtual learning environment