Social media has become an integral part of our daily lives, but its impact on mental health is a topic of much debate. You probably found this blog post on social media. Irony, am I right? While social media such as Facebook or Instagram can connect us to others and provide a sense of community, it can also contribute to feelings of loneliness, anxiety, and depression. In this blog post, we’ll explore the potential impact of social media on mental health, including the ways in which it can be both helpful and harmful.
Social media can be a powerful tool for social connection, allowing us to connect with friends and family,
share our experiences, and find support. However, it can also contribute to feelings of FOMO (fear of missing out), comparison, and negative self-image. The curated nature of social media can create an unrealistic and idealized view of other people’s lives, which can contribute to feelings of inadequacy and low self-esteem.
Social media can also be a source of stress, as we feel pressure to stay connected and constantly respond to messages and notifications. This constant stimulation can be overwhelming and contribute to feelings of anxiety and burnout.
On the flip side, social media can also come between people and their relationships. How many times have you been sitting in your living room, and your spouse is scrolling through reels or TikTok instead of engaging with you? Or what about when you are at the dinner table, and the kids have their noses in their phones instead of interacting with you and developing 
conversation skills? Child clients come to therapy saying, “My parents never pay attention to me,” because whenever they ask a question, you are on your phone and do not look at them while they are talking.
To mitigate the potential negative impact of social media on mental health, it’s essential to set boundaries and practice self-care. This might involve limiting your time on social media, unfollowing accounts that make you feel bad about yourself, and setting aside time for activities that promote relaxation and stress relief. Try turning your notifications off for social media apps. Getting rid of that little bubble with a number of notifications decreases your likelihood of opening the app. This way, you can spend time scrolling only when you want to, rather than as a compulsion to get rid of the notification. Set your phone to Do Not Disturb for at least an hour before bed. If you wake up in the middle of the night, do not pick up your phone and scroll even though you can’t sleep because that activates your system, and you won’t be able to fall asleep.
It’s also important to remember that social media is a curated representation of other people’s lives and does not necessarily reflect reality. You are watching everyone’s highlight reels and the occasional airing of dirty laundry. Try not to compare yourself to others because you aren’t getting the full picture.
Kelly Sheridan, owner of Sacred Circle Counseling, is a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist who specializes in helping people heal from trauma, become better parents, and live more genuine lives. She graduated with her Masters of Science degree from Capella University in early fall 2021. She completed her internship and began her residency at a residential treatment facility for children ages 6-21 with co-morbid mental health diagnoses. She then completed her residency at a Children’s Advocacy Center, helping children and families who have disclosed physical abuse, sexual abuse, or neglect in a forensic interview, not only providing treatment to help them heal from the traumatic events they experienced but helping them navigate the confusing path of criminal trials and testifying. “I love working with families and individuals who want to heal from the things haunting them from their past.”