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From our previous article, we tapped into how technology has become a part of our lives—not just adults but children alike. Our means of communication, professional development, academic resources, and leisure activities have improved due to the different applications, programs, and sites that have become easily accessible for us.
Over the years, our use of social media and social networking sites has increased, enabling us to easily connect with others, from our cousins to our colleagues. However, despite the advantages of these platforms, they also bring with them an increase in associated concerns.
Social Media vs. Social Networking Sites - is there a difference?
Merriam-Webster's Dictionary defines social media as "forms of electronic communication (such as websites for social networking and microblogging) through which users create online communities to share information, ideas, personal messages, and other content (such as videos) [sic]", while Gavin Wright defines social networking sites as "websites and apps that allow users and organizations to connect, communicate, share information, and form relationships [sic]."
To put it simply, social media platforms are more focused on content, such as YouTube and TikTok, while social networking sites are more centered on fostering connections, such as Facebook and LinkedIn—though many platforms combine both uses.
Pros and Cons of Social Media and Social Networking Platforms
Our social nature has made us accustomed to (and grateful for) social media platforms that make it simple to do the following:
1. Communicate with our family and friends all over the world.
2. Connect with others who share similar interests with you.
3. Find and consume valuable content for professional and educational pursuits.
4. Promote advocacies or worthwhile causes such as donation drives.
5. Discover outlets for your interests, creativity, and self-expression.
6. Find and offer emotional support, such as online therapy or coaching sessions.
However, frequent use of these platforms raises concerns that affect not only children and adolescents but also adults. Here are some concerns that we should be mindful of:
1. Increased feelings of inadequacy and insecurity. Social media frequently instills emotions of inadequacy, creating self-doubt and insecurity, particularly regarding one's appearance and lifestyle.
2. Fear of Missing Out (FOMO) can cause anxiety and low self-esteem, resulting in an uncontrollable want to check your phone for the latest updates from influencers or your peers.
3. Loneliness and Mental Health Issues: Regular use of social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram has been associated with heightened feelings of loneliness and mood disorders due to a decrease in in-person interactions.
4. Cyberbullying: A large percentage of Filipino children aged 13 to 17 are victims of cyberviolence, as destructive comments and rumors are widespread on social media platforms.
5. Self-Centeredness: Posting about your personal life and expressing your deepest ideas online can lead to an excessive obsession with yourself, which can have a negative impact on your offline relationships.
Signs that social media is affecting one’s well-being
Different people use these digital platforms differently, but we should remember how we feel about ourselves while using them and consuming the content. Here are some signs that these platforms are affecting your mental well-being:
1. Prefer to spend more time online than with in-person relationships or doing offline activities.
2. You're constantly comparing yourself to what you see online, whether from influencers or peers.
3. Receiving notifications or updates from people you follow can easily distract you from your work or studies.
4. Experience with or participation in cyberbullying.
5. Feelings of insecurity, loneliness, and worry intensify.
6. Sleep issues.
7. Little to no time for self-reflection.
If you identify with any of the above signs, try these approaches for your well-being:
A. Be mindful of your time on social media. A study from the University of Pennsylvania found that a decreased use of social media helped decrease feelings of loneliness, insecurity, sleep problems, and FOMO. Not everyone can quit social media, but being mindful of how and when you use it can help. Some try to:some text
- Put a time limit on their social media use
- Turn off social media notifications to avoid distractions, especially during class or work hours
- Delete social media apps from phone except the ones you need, like LinkedIn or Messenger
- If you need more space from your accounts, deactivating them for a few weeks or months is okay too.
B. Focus on your hobbies and interests. Our social media accounts have become so important to us that we instinctively reach for our phones to check them. Changing how we think about our online accounts might help us get along better with them. "Do I use social media to relax or for entertainment?" is a question you should ask yourself. If you answered "yes," try these activities: some text
- Reconnect with your old hobbies—playing the guitar, gardening
- Read a book or comics
- Cook or bake something
- Explore arts and crafts
- Practice meditation or yoga
- Write how you feel
- Watch a movie with your friends or family
- Watch a concert
- Learn a new sport
- Visit a museum
C. (Re-)Connect with your friends—offline. We're social creatures, so we need real-life and online conversations. Ask yourself, "Do I use social media to meet new people?" If your answer is "yes," consider engaging in these offline activities to establish and sustain meaningful relationships:some text
- Set a time to call your family (if you live abroad) or your friends
- Invite your friends for coffee or an activity that you all like, such as bowling or watching a concert
- Organize a trip with your closest friends (e.g., hiking, beach trip)
- Re-connect with your friends whom you haven’t talked to in awhile
- Do volunteer work
- Join organizations related to your interest or advocacy (e.g., mental health, education)
D. Establish social media boundaries. We know that lessening your time or even removing social media from your life is hard, but there are steps you can take to create a proactive experience in social media. You can try these for a start:some text
- Unfollow people that make you feel negatively about yourself
- Unsave posts—videos & photos—that make you compare yourself to others
- Remove photos from your own accounts that trigger self-judgment.
At the end of the day, the digital platforms available to us and that we've grown accustomed to using as a result of technological advancements aren't that awful. However, it is critical to be conscious and take care of oneself.
The Greek storyteller Aesop once stated, "Too much of a good thing is never good." In this context, if social media is negatively affecting our mental health, it's time to reassess our relationship with it.
If you need assistance, Empath is here for you!
References:
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