Is social media making you anxious? How using it smarter can boost your mental health
We all know using social media is considered bad for you. Using social media for maximum benefit In our six-week study, 393 Canadian young adults with some mental health symptoms and concerns about social media’s impact on their lives were split into three groups: ● A control group that continued their usual routines ● An abstinence group asked to take a break from social media entirely ● An educational programme group that was coached in intentional usage The educational programme showed people how to avoid the downsides — like feeling pressured to look or act a certain way online — and instead focus on the good stuff. The study found that participants who took a break from social media or participated in an educational program on intentional social media use experienced improvements in their mental health. Although participants in this program didn’t cut back on their social media use as much as those in the abstinence group, they still reduced their screen time relative to the control group. Our results suggest that with the right guidance, young adults can curate a more positive experience, using social media to support their mental health instead of detracting from it.
The Dark Side of Social Media: How it's Impacting the Mental Health of Our Youth
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