According to research, the average millennial spends two hours and 16 minutes daily on social media, and the average Gen-Z for two to four hours a day.

The recent U.S.A TikTok ban, which lasted for approximately 12 hours, had many in a frenzy, and that’s a huge telltale.

I mean, Social media can be amazing, but on the downside, what kind of toll does it take on our mental health, and how do we strike a healthy balance?

Social Media’s negative effects on mental wellbeing

• Cyberbullying:If you have never received a nasty comment after posting a photo/video, you must be unreal, but most of us have, and more often than not, it gets the better of you.
• Comparison culture:In an age of influencers who appear to be and to possess everything we don’t, comparison creeps in.
• Information overload: Ever noticed how mentally exhausted you usually feel after endless scrolling? It’s a lot for your brain to take in
• Screen addiction: yes, it is a thing where you are so absorbed in the dopamine hits that you don’t pay attention to the world around you.

A solution?

Is there a way to save the human population from turning into social media junkies? Absolutely.

• Set a time limit: most phones now come with pre-installed digital well-being that allows you to track and set limits for screen time.
• Curate your content: If you are going to spend a whole hour scrolling, then let it be informative, positive, and uplifting content. Show the algorithms what you need.
• Unmask the comparison facade: Remember that people only show us what they think we want to see. “The glamour”, but there’s another side to it. Quit comparison.
• Digital detox: I don’t care whether you will start with an hour, a day, or a week, but it’s important to go without screen time, and there are massive benefits. Start small.
• Validate yourself: I am not trying to be mean, but please don’t go seeking validation by posting videos and pictures of yourself; work on that.

With that said…

I hope that this post inspires you to take a healthy approach towards social media and digital media in general. It’s paramount for your mental wellbeing.

Also, there’s plenty to enjoy in life; you just have to be curious.