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New Research on Social Media and Teen Mental Health
I think that second quote is really the key. We’ve seen studies that are reported as showing that kids who use social media get more depression and anxiety, but those studies do not address the question of whether there’s any proof that the causality is in that direction and not the other. In other words, do teens who use social media a lot develop depression, or do depressed teens use social media more. This study seems to indicate it’s the latter. As we continue with a lot of social distancing, and activities being canceled and in person gatherings are very limited, we know everyone will be relying more on social media to stay connected, so this is an important question, and I think what this study, and others, really shows us is that there are ways to use social media as a positive influence on our mental health, and a way to use it that will not be a positive influence on our mental health.
In the physical world, we have these same choices. Do we interact with people who are toxic? Do we spend all of our time comparing ourselves to others? Do we isolate? Or do we find out tribe, our group of supportive friends/family that can interact socially in ways that help our mental health?
We all make those same choices on social media, but the key difference here is that if we simply don’t choose, and make no effort to make conscious decisions about who we follow and interact with, social network algorithms will make the decision for us. Anyone already struggling with mental health is maybe more likely to not spent much time thinking about these things, and just let the app show them what it wants to show them, and that is not necessarily going to be good for our anxiety. Especially right now.
So, if you find yourself feeling more anxious, angry, irritated, etc. every time you hop on Twitter or Instagram, maybe instead of just being that way, spend some time thinking about who you follow, and what they are bringing in to your life?
For any of my social media using readers, can you share some of your favorite positive accounts that you interact with to HELP your mental health?
Shared Links (weekly) Oct. 4, 2020
Support group helps men who survived child sex abuse cope with the trauma
Real friends are our best antidepressants
Child abuse survivor fights for justice for all victims
A Glance at a Broken Mental Health System
A few of the best (and simplest) things I do for my mental health
Shared Links (weekly)
How social media saved me. How This Doctor Uses Instagram For Mental Health Awareness How to Support Someone Who Has Experienced Trauma How To Help Friends Struggling With Their Mental Health How The 5 Steps Can Help Someone Who is Suicidal – #BeThe1To The Journey of Mental Health Recovery: Why It’s a Good Thing Opinion:…
Sharing – Opinion: Suicide prevention recording warnings are a bad idea
On the one hand, this is true, if you’re recording calls, you really don’t know where someone may be calling from so you have to do this. “The response I received explained that many Lifeline call centers already record the calls. Since our calls are routed, they’re directed to a call center based on area…
Sharing – Being calm is not our default mode
I’ve seen many mentions recently about anxiety being a normal response to our current world. This is also a contradiction to what much of the self-help and positivity industry would tell us. Spend any time on social media and you’ll see plenty of messages about gratitude, finding joy and purpose, and the silver lining in any situation.
What you won’t hear is that there are situations that SHOULD make you angry, anxious, and sad. But there are.
