Experts continue to study the impact of social media on mental health, and like any form of entertainment, using it to excess can be harmful. But the reality is that everyone, from teens to older adults, is scrolling through TikTok, Instagram, and Facebook for hours a day. Often, they use it not only for entertainment purposes but for inspiration, information, and advice. Influencers post about every topic under the sun, including mental health, so understanding how to sift through the masses of reels and TikToks to find authentic and truthful information is critical for those who value mental health.
First, let's establish that extensive use of any social platform tends to affect mental health negatively. According to Carleton University research, "regular social media use can contribute to feelings of anxiety, depression, and lower self-esteem in vulnerable youth, and reducing screen time can drastically reduce these effects (Davis and Thai). One of the difficulties people experience in following influencers is that they develop one-sided relationships with their preferred influencers. Yet, the influencer is often completely unaware of the followers' identity. This type of relationship leads to "problematic engagement," which can also lead to addictive behaviors like constantly checking the phone (Farivar). With this in mind, we must regulate our screen time and online interactions. Smartphones have built-in screen trackers that can help monitor usage. Apps like RescueTime, Forest, and Space help track digital activity, reduce screen time, and stop "doomscrolling," or hours of mindless scrolling.
For many users, social media creates a space to express their thoughts and feelings about different topics. Social media can be a great outlet for people, young and old, to have a platform for self-expression, leading to greater well-being. However, these users and their input can be from any walk of life, e.g., relationship advice from a teenager suffering from borderline personality disorder or a Licensed Psychologist with years of experience in the field. Some reels about mental well-being may have quality, evidence-based information, but much of it may not. So, in a time when anyone can post a reel or TikTok about mental health issues, how do we help our young people and even ourselves recognize what's valid and what could be potentially damaging?
Before taking a random person's word as gospel, vet (or carefully examine beforehand) their credentials. Look at their job title and education level. Evaluate their audience and the effect they hope to achieve. Anyone, from pre-teens to trained professionals, can create inspirational messages, which is great! But watch, read, or listen with critical thinking. Is the information consistent across platforms? Does the creator have ulterior motives? Creators start with their own experiences and biases, so be mindful of what these might be. Listen to your intuition. If something feels off, it very likely is. Beware of people who claim to be the ultimate authority on a topic and encourage you to believe they are the only source of quality information. The person you watch should not tell you what to do but offer thoughts to consider.
Finding information that helps inspire, makes us laugh, or helps transform can improve mental health, but we must be wise in choosing the people who influence us both in-person and online. Regulate screen time, encourage healthy forms of self-expression, and vet the people you follow. Keep in mind that online relationships are different from in-person relationships, and watch for addictive behaviors and problematic engagement. Social media is here to stay, so let's commit to making it a place that impacts the world as much as possible.