We live in a world where we can easily share our experiences, pictures, and feelings at the click of a finger; with all the social media apps out there, why wouldn’t we? Social media gives us a platform to connect to others and feel present in their lives. These platforms give us the opportunity to read updates on old friends and family even when we don’t see them. In a study conducted by the Pew research center, it was found that 72% of Americans under the age of 30 use social media (Auxier and Anderson, 2021).

For some, it can be hard to imagine that something so positive can have such a negative effect on others. For others, social media becomes a competition or comparison game to gain the most likes and comments, to look the best with the “prettiest” or “hottest” pictures, and present to have the “perfect” life. A lot of times, this results in altering photos to fit the image that they are trying to convey. After a while, people find their self-worth and self-esteem connected to their created social media image.

Now take a minute to pause and evaluate your own social media usage. Do you find yourself becoming upset if you do not receive a specific amount of likes or comments? Have you ever altered a photo to fit a certain image? Or, have you been more consumed with getting the perfect post than being able to enjoy the moment? If you find yourself answering yes or taking too much time to think of an answer, you may need to reevaluate your social media usage. The following are some tips to utilize for social media without it becoming harmful:

1.     Limit your social media usage: Set a limit as to how much time you spend on social media each day and how many posts you create each week; this can help you to shift your focus from other people’s posts to the life you are authentically living.

2.     Stop comparing yourself to others: Remind yourself that everyone is only posting what they want others to know about their lives, not the hard or negative times. Rather than becoming jealous, take the time to be proud of others or find inspiration for yourself.

3.     Think before posting: Before making a social media post take time to pause and think about your intentions and authenticity. Ask yourself, is this post showing my genuine self? Am I posting this because I am proud of myself or is it simply just to show off? Make sure your intentions are positive before posting.

4.     Be aware of the accounts you are following: Take the time to evaluate the accounts that you are following on social media and how they impact you. If you find there are people or accounts that you are following that put you into a bad mood, unfollow them. You have control over what you are and aren’t viewing on social media.

5.     Take a break: Take a day, a week, or even a month off from logging onto social media. During this break take the time to appreciate in person interactions with others and explore alternative hobbies that you could enjoy.

For more support in navigating the impact of social media, click here.