Social Media Use

These days, it’s almost impossible to not consume social media. Social media isn’t all inherently bad: It allows you to connect with people you might otherwise not, and you can find old friends and stay in touch with family members who live thousands of miles away. Social media support groups can also be beneficial, especially for anyone experiencing a mental health condition.

But social media also comes with pitfalls. It can unleash the worst behaviors in certain people, such as cyberbullying and trolling, and can be highly addictive. Counting how many “likes” you get on posts, disengaging from the physical world, wondering how you measure up to others, and feeling antsy if you don’t get your social media “fix” all make social media potentially dangerous. If you battle anxiety or depression, social media can be especially triggering.

However, it’s possible to find a happy medium. Limiting social media to certain times of day and blocking or unfriending anyone who crosses personal boundaries are good ways to make social media work better for you. If you are dealing with social media addiction or simply would like to brainstorm ways to make it healthier, consider talking to a therapist or counselor for recommendations and to be more strategic about your social media use.