A recent study showed what many have known since "swipes," "likes" and "reels" have dominated our attention: Social media and the Internet can exacerbate mental health problems, especially among young people.
The latest research echoes the findings of a 2020 National Library of Medicine report that found a "70 percent increase in self-reported depressive symptoms among social media users." A study in the New York Times broadened the spectrum.
Maurice Fadida is the founder of Seeds of Happiness, a new NFT project in partnership with Dapper Labs. This article is part of Metaverse Week.
"Social media can indirectly impact happiness by crowding out other activities, such as face-to-face contact, exercise or sleep, that are critical to mental and physical health," the report states.
Anyone
who hasused the endless content of social media platforms has likely experienced moments of increased stress, screen addiction and heightened anxiety. Some of these worries are meta, like worrying about living too much of one's life online.
But is the internet all bad?
No, of course not! From the Internet's inception to today, it has brought together countless movements, industries, people, ideas, and technologies. In the worst days of the COVID-19 pandemic, it fostered a sense of global connectedness (bless you, Stanley Tucci). We owe the Internet a lot of credit, even in such complicated times.
However, what it means to be human is changing rapidly - largely due to technological innovation. And it seems we are on the cusp of yet another technology-driven paradigm shift with the advent of the metaverse.
At its core, the metaverse strives to provide more opportunities, stronger communities, less surveillance, and ultimately more freedom. This is similar to the way non-fungible tokens (NFT) and Web 3 harness the power of decentralization to break down digital barriers and challenge gatekeepers.
But if the metaverse is supposed to offer salvation for the trials and tribulations of the Internet as we know it (Web 2), shouldn't we be worried? Social media heightens both anxiety and happiness - is the same true for another, heightened form of the Internet that promises not just social, but real-life experiences?
How do we not repeat the same mistakes as we plunge headlong into a brave new digital world?
First, we need to remember: too much of anything can be unhealthy, whether it's time spent online or at the gym, for example. In a digital space where avatars run free and reality is distorted, it's always important to take some time to switch off.
Last month, the New York Post highlighted both sides of the spectrum in an article, pointing out that too much time in a digital environment "can negatively impact our ability to engage in non-virtual life."
The article also cited a University of Oregon psychology professor who theorized that "a young person who may be LGBT and find an online context where they feel socially supported - we would predict that would be a benefit to their mental health.
As with anything, balance is key, and the pendulum can swing either way. As someone who has dedicated his career to supporting builders in the Metaverse and in NFTs, I believe we need to promote that balance in the healthiest - and happiest - way possible.
Happiness on the ChainEven in
times of market volatility, NFTs are being bought by those who knew little to nothing about this three-letter acronym just two years ago. That's often because NFTs are not just about financial gain, but also about creating community.
NFT projects and decentralized autonomous organizations (DAOs) have changed lives, broken records, and supported important global causes. Artists not previously in the headlines have been able to make headlines, and new communities have been formed on Discord and in real life at global conferences.
New social circles applied the principles of Web 3 to the idea of collective experience and participation. But while this positive outlook has permeated blockchain in many ways, there are negative aspects as well. There is talk of knee-jerk processes, market hysteria, bad actors, hacks, haters, questionable decisions, stress, pressure, and Twitter addiction.
How can we ensure a happy and healthy future for all of us in this critical time for the future of Web 3, NFT, and the metaverse? Well, there are both technical and social solutions:
- A mental health-focused ethos in NFTs: We need more NFT projects that promote better mental health at their core - from their founders to their roadmap to their sales. From musical virtual reality experiences to psychedelics, great work is already being done across the industry. We shouldn't stop there.
- Community incentives and benefits: Let's reward owners for promoting mental health and wellness-oriented IRL experiences (parties are great, but in-person events and experiences can offer much more). Let's bring more positivity to the physical potential of NFTs and the metaverse.
- Experiences in the metaverse that are focused on mental health: There is still a lot of (sensitive) work to be done here, but I believe we can help people find the health and happiness they need in digital worlds if we do it right. We should bring more mental health experts into this field and learn from them.
- More education and discussion: it's time to address the potential mental (and physical) health issues associated with the metaverse and NFTs to find productive solutions. Sharing matters.
- Establish clear community values and guidelines for NFT and Metaverse projects: if health and happiness are part of your mission (and they should be), lead by example and start at the top.
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