While celebrity updates and entertainment news might seem harmless and might even be fun, the effects it can have on mental health are more than what many know, especially in our time where social media and constant connectivity play a large part in our daily lives.
The Glamour Of Red Carpet Events & Spotlight
We are constantly been fed by a steady stream of updates about famous lives showing celebrity showoffs that thrive on the allure of perfection. Photoshopped and highly edited images, carefully curated Instagram feeds, and highlight reeling of lavish lifestyles can create unrealistic standards in unsuspecting minds.
Seeing celebrities on celebrity and entertainment news looking amazing or seemingly living perfect lives while being adored in red-carpet events can make you create unrealistic standards and demands which if not met, could throw one into a deep state of dissatisfaction and depression.
A prolonged state of having these feelings of inadequacy or low self-worth can negatively affect one’s mental health and lead to vices such as suicide, which is the second highest cause of death among youths in the world, with various studies identifying a correlation between heavy social media and internet users and suicidal tendencies.
This is true because people tend to compare themselves (financially, facial appearance, body physique, etc) with others and rank their social and personal worth on the results, and many do it without even knowing.
Celebrity News and Scandals
Most celebrity fans and entertainment media lovers would note one thing that immediately gets their attention – scandals. These scandals and bad news such as breakups, cheating scandals, arrests, etc are somewhat emotional to viewers, especially to their core fans, and constant exposure to such bad news can affect one’s mood and outlook, resulting in a poor mental state.
Imagine a pilot who is a core Swiftie learning of a bad news that just happened to Taylor Swift while he/she is flying.
Celebrities also tend to create a one-sided bond with their fans, and when they share their views on their social media pages, many of these fans follow (political endorsements). However, some fans might become heartbroken and experience meltdowns when their celebrity idols are caught doing otherwise.
Societal Views And Norms
Celebrity lifestyle and entertainment news also largely affect what people will come to accept as norms in the long run. A trimmed and slim body figure is most desired, as portrayed by celebrities such as Rebel Wilson who lost about 80 pounds in 2020. Fat people might feel pressured to take drastic weight loss programs and those unable to do that might face body shaming, which will affect their mental well-being.
Summary
Though celebrity lifestyle and entertainment news are not bad and should not be banned outright, the false narratives and standards set by carefully managed artists negatively affect how people rate their own achievements and personal progress, leaving them with a poor mental health.
We should always protect our mental health in a celebrity-obsessed world through media knowledge, practicing mindful consumption, having a personal sense of identity and self-worth, and always remembering that these celebrities also have it bad when they are not in public.
Thank you,
Glenda, Charlie and David Cates
