Today, we're taking a breather from the world of the digital marketing. We will contemplate how we position social media in our personal lives and how we can use it whilst managing our sanity.
Whether we like it or not, social media already is massively part of our life - our modern life. Even our folks have stepped in to connect with the young generation. A study in 2016 showed that the average person spends 50 minutes on social media platforms in a day. This is hardly far from the average time a person spends on a physical workout.
The average person would have at least 2-4 active social media accounts. Imagine how much data a person comes in contact with every single minute, er second? Now and then technology is making to access to real-time news and stories possible as they happen. What does it mean for the average person? This undermines the fact sedentary lifestyle in itself poses a huge health risk - sitting is the new smoking.
While others turn to social media to connect with others who can provide emotional and moral support, it can be emotionally and mentally detrimental to others. Research suggests that these platforms play a significant role in causing depression, especially to young people. In the UK a survey of 1500 young people, Instagram was ranked as the worst platform for mental health with participants citing increased instances of anxiety while using the app. Mindless scrolling through our social media feeds isn't a healthy habit for our collective psychology, as research confirms. The American Academy of Pediatrics warned threatening effects of social media to young kids and teenagers such as depression and cyber-bullying. On the other hand, adults aren’t spared from these risks.
Recent studies show the damaging effects that social media has on mental health.
Social media can be addictive. Though there is evidence that both internet and social media addiction both exists, a review study administered in the Nottingham Trent University that social media addiction appears to be plausible because of the presence of some criteria on people found to have excessive use of social media. This includes neglect of personal life, mental preoccupation, escapism, mood modifying experiences, tolerance and concealing the addictive behaviour.
Contrary to the ability to allow people to instantly connect, social media - Facebook per se builds a perception of isolation the more a person uses it. A study a few years ago observed people used eleven social media sites and correlated the perceived isolation with the amount of time spent on social media platforms.
Self-comparison is unhealthy and is linked to depressive symptoms. Most of us at one point fall into the trap of self-comparison. As we scroll through our social feeds, it is inevitable to compare ourselves in terms of what we have to others and what we have less versus others, or that we are less popular than our friends. Such comparison triggers a feeling of jealousy. How we will handle jealousy could have some good and bad effects on ourselves and to others who could be in a similar situation of perceived isolation.
Our society is “hyper-connected” in the superlative sense of the word. It is nearly impossible for psychologists to advise total avoidance of social media. Instead, they have few suggestions on how to manage.
Each one of us is unique. We have different reactions and responses to what we see. If it doesn’t make us feel good, we have the freedom to unfollow accounts or pages that gives us negative feelings. We have the power to choose what we see on our social feeds. Unilateral policy - do what’s is good for yourself. Choose the things that inspire you rather make you feel envy. For some people, this has something to do with their hobbies, travel and the arts. When you recognise what these accounts are, take the time to follow more similar ones. It’s a choice to get sulked up on the negative thoughts or move on how to be your better self.
Keep in mind that not everything that people post is real. There are filtered versions of the real life in Instagram, carefully selected and photoshopped photos and curated posts. So it is baseless to think that everybody else is having a great life except for you.
Don’t passively use social media. Post, like, share, comment and message more often. This gives a feeling of connectedness than just mindlessly scrolling through your feed. Responding to posts is more likely to get other to respond and provide you with a healthy interaction.
A Psychology professor, Oscar Ybarra suggests to ask yourself the “five why’s.” For example, start with why you’re using Instagram. It’s maybe because you don’t want to get up from your bed - why do I not want to get out of bed? - Maybe because you don’t feel like going to work? Why?-maybe because I’m not on good terms with my co-worker. He suggests we continue to ask ourselves why five times until we can confront ourselves with the reality of why we’re doing it and translate it into something actionable on our part.
Bottom line here is that we have a choice. We have a choice not to get addicted, or to face real problems instead of making social media an escape goat for our inadequacies. Instead of looking at what others have, count our blessings and take time to share what you have. It is best to use social media in moderation and always keep a balance of turning to your friends for real offline support you can count on.
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