10 Easy–To–Follow Tips to Break Your Social Media Addiction and Improve Your Mental Health
Dr Khalid Rahman
Scientific Writer✒️ | Researcher 📈| Health Advocate 🍒| Wellness Enthusiast 🍎| Blogger ✍️| Humanist ❤️| Thinker 💭| Innovator 💡| Lifelong Learner ♾️| Communicator 📣| Collaborator 🤝| Problem Solver 🕵️| Change Maker
Latest Research Updates on Social Media Addiction and Its Adverse Impact on Mental Health
Unboxing Social Media and Its Mental Health Implications
A recent panel network analysis by Panayiotou and colleagues in the United Kingdom has revealed the possible adverse impact of social media use on the social life, well-being, and mental health of adolescents. In contrast, another article by Zsila and Reyes emphasizes the role of social media in elevating the sense of belonging and self-esteem despite its potential to increase stress and feelings of isolation and sadness.
Let us dive deeper to understand the features of social media, their interactions with end-users, and the health risks associated with the increasing use of this communication system in the 21st century.
When we say social media, we consider a range of web platforms, interactive sites, apps, and provisions that allow people to converse, share their views, develop a niche of their choice, and improve knowledge and wisdom with meaningful interactions.
We all seem to agree with the notion that knowledge fosters knowledge. That said, we need to introspect about what type of information or messages we continue to post on social media platforms. We should also revisit our objective or intent behind spending several hours on social media each passing day.
A literature review by Beyari Hasan calls the following features or activities as social media attributes.
WhatsApp, X (formerly Twitter), Meta (formerly Facebook), Telegram, and many more apps constitute the social media platforms used by us all in today’s times.
Surprisingly, the findings of the recent study by Beyari Hasan indicate a significant role of social media followers, comments, and likes in deteriorating the mental health of end-users.
Another global study by Ulvi and colleagues reveals a high risk and incidence of mental health disorders, including depression, in people with excessive use of social media in everyday life.
Imagine being a part of a WhatsApp group with hundreds of members posting unwanted content or messages to flood the channel, without worrying about the ethics of conversation. This can create a chaotic situation in your mind, drifting your thoughts into a vicious cycle.
Recommended by LinkedIn
The panic of scrolling through the adverse ideas, distasteful content, and text and icons reflecting blame, dissent, and disagreements makes your life hell every other day.
Although the advent of social media has revolutionized the way we think, feel, and act, the burden of its side effects seems to outweigh its potential advantages.
The contrasting findings about social media health implications and outcomes in day-to-day life are probably due to the variable use of its features by people of different age groups.
The meaningful use of social media is the only way to shield yourself from its toxic effects that have the potential to induce anxiety, fear, depression, panic, anger, hypersensitivity, hyperactivity, and a sense of instability that powerfully restricts your personal and professional development.
With so much conflicting data about social media use and its adverse impact on the mental health of people, one might think of ignoring these results and continuing to use social media by following the herd mentality.
With my own social media experience, I can say with 100% confidence that relentless, rather than mindful, use of great social media can turn your life into a nightmare.
What Can You Do to Meaningfully Use Your Social Media Accounts and Safeguard Your Mental Health from Their Ill Effects?
Click the following link to read the complete article and master the 10 strong tips to safeguard your mental health and well-being from social media addiction.
(Subscribe to my Substack Newsletter to keep getting the latest research-backed updates on health, well-being, and disease prevention strategies.