We바카라ve all heard the warnings: 바카라Social media is bad for your mental health.바카라 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 people바카라s well-being.
But let바카라s be real, social media isn바카라t going anywhere. It바카라s how we connect with people, share our lives, and stay in the loop. For most of us, it바카라s 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 isn바카라t whether social media is good or bad바카라it바카라s how we can use it in a way that바카라s healthier and more positive.
The Upside of Social Media
Social media gets a bad rap, but it바카라s 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 There바카라s 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 didn바카라t 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 바카라Healthy Social Media Use바카라 Mean?
The group in the learning program wasn바카라t told to use social media less. Instead, they were coached on how to use it better. Here바카라s what they focused on;
Be Selective About Who You Follow - They muted or unfollowed accounts that made them feel bad바카라like influencers who trigger comparison or content that causes stress. Instead, they filled their feeds with uplifting, helpful, or inspiring content.
Engage, Don바카라t Just Scroll - Instead of passively scrolling, they focused on meaningful interactions바카라like commenting on a friend바카라s 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 weren바카라t spending hours lost on their phones.
What Happened Next?
Both the Quitters and the Learners saw improvements in their mental health. Here바카라s 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 didn바카라t 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 don바카라t 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 isn바카라t all bad. It has its perks바카라it 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 someone바카라s posts make you feel bad about yourself, mute or unfollow them. Fill your feed with people or pages that inspire or uplift you.
Engage, Don바카라t 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 you바카라re 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: 바카라How is social media making me feel?바카라 If it바카라s causing stress or anxiety, it바카라s time to adjust your habits.
Why This Matters
Social media isn바카라t going anywhere바카라it바카라s 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 it바카라s 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 doesn바카라t have to be all bad. It바카라s about how you use it. By being more intentional바카라cleaning up your feed, focusing on meaningful connections, and setting boundaries바카라you can turn it into a tool for connection and positivity.
So, instead of mindlessly scrolling, let바카라s scroll smarter. Social media should work for you, not the other way around.
