Understanding How social media Affects Us
Social media platforms like Instagram, Snapchat, and LinkedIn often showcase ‘perfect’ lives, setting high standards and fostering a sense of inadequacy. For example, seeing influencers travel to beautiful places, eating at all the up-and-coming restaurants or featuring extremely expensive luxurious clothing, bags, shoes and makeup in their ‘OOTD’ reels might make someone feel like their own life is not as exciting or successful.
This constant exposure to filtered and idealized content can create feelings of FOMO (fear of missing out), inadequacy, and increased social comparison. When individuals strive for likes and followers, they might constantly compare themselves to others, leading to a decline in self-esteem and a constant need for validation.
The Toll on Mental Health:
Specifically, this impact on mental health can lead to increased stress, feelings of anxiety, loneliness, and even depression. For instance, someone constantly comparing their appearance to others or their life to influencers may start feeling more anxious and unhappy with themselves.
Why It’s Tough in India
In India, cultural expectations add another layer of pressure. There’s often a societal push to conform to specific standards, perform well academically, and succeed professionally. Family expectations, academic pressure, and cultural norms can intensify the impact of social media on mental health.
Ways to Stay Healthy Online:
Setting Time Limits:
- Allocate specific time slots for social media use, limiting daily screen time to prevent overexposure.
- Use apps or phone settings that track screen time and set reminders to take breaks. Instagram for example, has this built-in feature that can alert you when you exceed your daily limit.
Digital Detox and Offline Activities:
- Encourage scheduled breaks from social media to allow for a ‘digital detox.’ Allocate specific days or periods where you completely disconnect from social platforms, dedicating time to offline activities.
- One can also designate tech-free zones or times, like no phones during meals or an hour before bedtime.
- Engaging in hobbies, physical exercise, or spending quality time with family and friends can provide a healthy balance and reduce dependency on social media.
Engaging in Skill Development or Learning:
- Using online platforms for learning new skills or personal development can be a positive use of time spent online.
- Encouraging the exploration of educational content, courses, or hobbies through platforms like Coursera, Khan Academy, or YouTube tutorials can contribute to personal growth and reduce the negative impact of social media.
Mindful Consumption and Curating the Feed:
- Encouraging mindful consumption involves curating social media feeds to include positive and inspirational content.
- Unfollow or mute accounts that create feelings of inadequacy or negativity. Instead, follow accounts that share motivational or informative content, focusing on personal interests, hobbies, or positive influences.
Joining Supportive Online Communities:
- Engage in positive online groups or forums that promote well-being and positive discussions.
- Joining these online forums or communities can provide a sense of belonging and support for individuals dealing with various mental health challenges. Reddit, in particular, hosts various subreddits that cater to different mental health concerns, offering a wide range of perspectives and support for users seeking guidance and connection.
- Some examples of the same are –
1. Reddit Communities (Subreddits):
- r/Anxiety: A supportive space for individuals dealing with anxiety. Users share experiences, coping mechanisms, and support each other through difficult times.
- r/Get Motivated: Offers motivational content, success stories, and tips for personal development. It’s a positive community to uplift individuals seeking motivation and inspiration.
- r/DecidingToBeBetter: A community dedicated to self-improvement and personal growth. Users share strategies, stories, and encouragement to support positive changes in life.
2. Mental Health-related Facebook Groups:
Like Reddit, there are also numerous Facebook groups dedicated to mental health wherein you can find individuals facing the same pressures and ways they’re using to deal with the same.
Mental Health Apps:
Apps like LetsGetHappi offer a range of free features that can aid mental well-being. These include guided meditation, private journaling, self-assessed tests for mood, anxiety, stress, and depression as well as 24/7 online therapy, offering support on any day of the year.
Empowering Young People: How You Can Support Each Other Online
Be Mindful of Your Sharing:
- You can promote responsible social media use by being cautious about what you post. Think before sharing personal information and consider the impact of your posts on others.
- Responsible sharing helps protect your privacy and creates a safer online environment for everyone.
Stand Up Against Bullying:
- If you see someone being bullied online, you can be the voice that stands up against it. Report or seek help if you or someone else encounters cyberbullying.
- Being an upstander rather than a bystander creates a supportive online community and helps protect everyone from negativity.
Be Supportive and Kind:
- You can be a supportive presence online by reaching out to someone who seems upset or distressed. Offering a listening ear and sharing positive and uplifting content contributes to a healthier and more positive online space.
- Small acts of kindness and empathy make a big difference.
Spread Awareness about Mental Health:
- Educate yourself and others about the signs of mental health struggles. Engage in open conversations about mental health and share information on available resources for support.
- By advocating and spreading awareness, you create a supportive environment for those in need.
Advocate for Digital Well-being:
- You can advocate for responsible social media use and positive digital citizenship. Support online well-being by sharing resources and information about staying safe and healthy online.
- Your actions contribute to a better and more supportive digital community for everyone.
By taking these steps, you actively contribute to a safer, more positive online space and support the mental well-being of yourself and others. Your small actions can have a big impact on creating a healthy and supportive digital environment.
In conclusion, acknowledging the impact of social media on mental health is crucial. Implementing specific strategies, incorporating cultural practices, and utilizing mental health apps can significantly contribute to maintaining a healthy balance in the digital world. Additionally, empowering young people involves fostering their creativity, supporting their endeavors, and promoting a supportive community where they can support each other both online and offline.