IMPACTS OF SOCIAL NETWORKS IN RELATION TO SELF-ESTEEM AND SELF-IMAG

Abstract

Social networks have become part of everyday life and have been expanding recurrently, taking up more and more space in everyday life. As a result, it becomes worrying when the frequency starts to exceed and take more than the recommended time. Imperceptibly, the hours in front of digital devices are more recurrent, which causes a social life that is increasingly distant from reality and such exposure can lead to damage, whether physical or psychological. In addition to the above, there is a great influence on self-esteem and self-image, which ends up creating space for triggers and questions about lifestyle and body image, imposed by the media and reinforced daily in the social environment. Due to the exacerbated use of technology, this issue is relevant and nowadays access has become even easier; all you need is to be logged in to the internet and have a cell phone in hand, with just a few clicks we have access to any and all information, from all over the world. Therefore, the concern with the mental health of users arises when there is the indiscriminate use of such technology, in view of the damage that disorderly exposure to the internet entails in their lives. Through a bibliographical review of works from the last 10 years, the article was constructed with the purpose of addressing the impacts of social networks on the self-esteem and self-image of users and demonstrating the contributions of Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT), with tools and techniques in coping with the excessive use and dependence on social networks, restoring autonomy and self-esteem to these people.