We all love Social Media, and we all wish we would use it just a bit less. Data suggests that we’re checking our phones an average of 150 times every day, and around 30% of the total time spent online is dedicated to Social Media.

Excessive Social Media use is more than just a bad habit — it’s a matter of mental health. Use of Social Media has been linked to several mental health issues through a multitude of research, and can distort our self-image and our perception of reality. Here are a few examples:

SOCIAL MEDIA IS ASSOCIATED WITH NEGATIVE BODY IMAGE AND EATING DISORDERS

Research in The International Journal of Eating Disorders has linked Social Media use to higher rates of disordered eating, and further research has shown an association with distorted body image.

SOCIAL MEDIA IS LINKED WITH SYMPTOMS OF DEPRESSION

A 2012 study found a significant relationship between negative Social Media use and increased symptoms of depression.

SOCIAL MEDIA CAN IMPACT ANXIETY LEVELS, RELATIONSHIPS & EVEN SLEEP

Anxiety UK found that Social Media can cause anxiety, and can negatively impact personal relationships. 25% of participants in the study reported having relationship and workplace difficulties because of online confrontations, and 2/3 also reported difficulty with sleep after using Social Media.