We바카라™ve all heard the warnings: 바카라śSocial media is bad for your mental health.바카라ť Studies link it to anxiety, depression, and FOMO (fear of missing out). Even companies like Meta (which owns Instagram and Facebook) admit their platforms can sometimes negatively impact people바카라™s well-being.
But let바카라™s be real, social media isn바카라™t going anywhere. It바카라™s how we connect with people, share our lives, and stay in the loop. For most of us, it바카라™s part of our daily routine. We check Instagram or TikTok when we wake up, scroll through Facebook during lunch, and wind down with Twitter at night.
The question isn바카라™t whether social media is good or bad바카라”it바카라™s how we can use it in a way that바카라™s healthier and more positive.
The Upside of Social Media
Social media gets a bad rap, but it바카라™s not all doom and gloom. It helps us stay in touch with loved ones, discover new ideas, and build communities. For many, especially those from marginalized groups, it can be a lifeline, a place to find support and belonging.
The problem is that we often let social media control us instead of the other way around. We get caught in endless scrolling, mindless comparisons, and toxic interactions. But what if we flipped the script?
New Research Shows There바카라™s a Better Way
A recent study from the University of British Columbia explored how people can use social media in a way that boosts their mental health instead of dragging it down.
The researchers didn바카라™t ask people to quit social media altogether. Instead, they wanted to see if using it more intentionally could make a difference. And guess what? It did.
They worked with nearly 400 young adults who felt social media was messing with their mental health. The participants were split into three groups:
The Habitual Scrollers - They kept using social media as they usually did.
The Quitters - They took a complete break from social media.
The Learners - They were taught strategies to use social media in healthier, more positive ways.
What Does 바카라śHealthy Social Media Use바카라ť Mean?
The group in the learning program wasn바카라™t told to use social media less. Instead, they were coached on how to use it better. Here바카라™s what they focused on;
Be Selective About Who You Follow - They muted or unfollowed accounts that made them feel bad바카라”like influencers who trigger comparison or content that causes stress. Instead, they filled their feeds with uplifting, helpful, or inspiring content.
Engage, Don바카라™t Just Scroll - Instead of passively scrolling, they focused on meaningful interactions바카라”like commenting on a friend바카라™s post or sending a thoughtful message.
Focus on Close Connections - They prioritized connecting with close friends or family rather than obsessing over likes or random followers.
Be Aware of Your Time Online - They tracked their screen time to make sure they weren바카라™t spending hours lost on their phones.
What Happened Next?
Both the Quitters and the Learners saw improvements in their mental health. Here바카라™s what changed:
Less Anxiety and Depression - Both groups felt less anxious and more in control of their emotions.
Reduced Loneliness - The Learners, in particular, felt less isolated because they were using social media to strengthen real relationships.
Fewer Comparisons - Both groups stopped comparing themselves so much to others, which is a major source of stress on platforms like Instagram.
More Meaningful Use of Time - The Learners didn바카라™t completely cut back on social media, but they used their time online more wisely, focusing on positive interactions.
Should You Quit Social Media Entirely?
The study suggests you don바카라™t have to give up social media to feel better. While taking a break can be refreshing, changing how you use social media might be more realistic for most people.
Why? Because social media isn바카라™t all bad. It has its perks바카라”it lets us stay connected, find inspiration, and even build communities. Quitting completely can be tough, especially if you need it for work or staying in touch.
Instead of cutting it out of your life, you can learn to control it in a way that works for you.
Using Social Media in a Healthier Way
Here are a few tips to start making social media work for you:
Clean Up Your Feed - Go through the accounts you follow. If someone바카라™s posts make you feel bad about yourself, mute or unfollow them. Fill your feed with people or pages that inspire or uplift you.
Engage, Don바카라™t Lurk - Instead of just scrolling, try commenting, messaging, or sharing. Focus on real interactions that make you feel connected.
Set Limits - Use screen-time trackers to see how much time you바카라™re spending online. Set boundaries, like no phone during meals or before bed.
Prioritize Real Connections: Instead of chasing likes or followers, spend time connecting with people you genuinely care about.
Check In With Yourself - Take a moment to ask: 바카라śHow is social media making me feel?바카라ť If it바카라™s causing stress or anxiety, it바카라™s time to adjust your habits.
Why This Matters
Social media isn바카라™t going anywhere바카라”it바카라™s part of modern life. But instead of letting it take over, we can choose to use it in ways that add value to our lives.
The UBC study shows that small changes can have a big impact. Whether it바카라™s muting a toxic account or spending more time connecting with close friends, these shifts can help us feel more in control and less stressed.
The Bottom Line
Social media doesn바카라™t have to be all bad. It바카라™s about how you use it. By being more intentional바카라”cleaning up your feed, focusing on meaningful connections, and setting boundaries바카라”you can turn it into a tool for connection and positivity.
So, instead of mindlessly scrolling, let바카라™s scroll smarter. Social media should work for you, not the other way around.