We’ve all heard the warnings: “Social media is bad for your mental health.” Studies link it to anxiety, depression, and FOMO (fear of missing out). Even companies like Meta (which owns Instag𒉰ram and Facebook) admit their platforms can sometimes negatively impact people’s well-being.
But let’s be real, social media isn’t going anywhere. It’s how we co🤡nnect with people, share our lives, and stay in the loop. For most of us, it’s part of our daily routine. We check Instagram or TikTok when we wake up, 🦩scroll through Facebook during lunch, and wind down with Twitter at night.
The question isn’t whether social media is good or bad—it’s how we can use i🅠t in a way th𓆏at’s healthier and more positive.
The Upside of Social Media
Social media gets a bad rap, but it’s not all doom🍨 and gloom. It helps us stay in touch with loved ones, discover new ideas, and build communities. For many, especially those from marginalized groups, it can be a lifeline, a place to fᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚ𒀱ᩚᩚᩚind support and belonging.
The problem is that we ofte🎐n let social media control us instead of the other way around. We get caught in endless scrolling, mindless comparisons, and toxic interactionsꦓ. But what if we flipped the script?
New Research Shows There’s a Better Way
A recent study from the University of British Columbia explored how people can use social media in a way that boosts their mental health instead of dragging it ♐down.
The researchers didn’t ask people to quit social media altogether. Instead, they wanted🍰 to see if using it more intentionally could make a difference. And guess what? It did.
They worked with nearly 400 young adults who felt social media was ✨messing with their mental health. The participants were split into three groups:
The Habitual Scrollers - They keptꦺ using social💝 media as they usually did.
The Quitters - They took a complete break from social media.
The Learners - They were taught strategie🌠s to use social media in healthier, more p🌸ositive ways.
What Does “Healthy Social Media Use” Mean?
The group in the learning program wasn’t told to use social media less. Instead, they w🌌ere coacheꦓd on how to use it better. Here’s what they focused on;
Be Selective About Who You Follow - They muted or unfollowed accounts that made🌠 them feel bad—like influencers who trigger comparison or content that causes stress. Instead, they filled their feeds with uplifting, helpful, or inspiring content.
Engage, Don’t Just Scroll - 🐼; Instead of passively scrolling, they focused on meaningful interactions—like commenting on a friend’s post or sending a thoughtful♕ message.
Focus on Close Connections - They prioritized connecting with close friends or family 𝓡rather than obs🎃essing over likes or random followers.
Be Aware of Your Time Online - They tracked their screen time to make sure they weren’t ♕spending hours lost on their phones.
What Happened Next?
Both th🌳e Quitters and the Learners saw improvements in their mental health. Here’s what changed:
Less Anxiety and Depression - Bo🦹th groups felt less anxious and more i෴n control of their emotions.
Reduced Loneliness - The Learners, in particular, felt less isolated becau🔯se they were using social media to strengthen 😼real relationships.
Fewer Comparisons -🥃 Botไh groups stopped comparing themselves so much to others, which is a major source of stress on platforms like Instagram.
More Meaningful Use of Time - The 𒁏Learners d😼idn’t completely cut back on social media, but they used their time online more wisely, focusing on positive interactions.
Should You Quit Social Media Entirely?
The study suggests you don’t have to give up social media to feel better.🐻 While taking ♍a break can be refreshing, changing how you use social media might be more realistic for most people.
Why? Because social media isn’t all bad. It has its perks—it lets us stay connected, find inspiration, and🤡 even build communities. Quitting๊ completely can be tough, especially if you need it for work or staying in touch.
Instead of cutting it out of your life, you can learn to con💯trol it in a way that works for you.
Using Social Media in a Healthier Way
Here are a few tips to start making social media work for yo⛎u:
Clean Up Your Feed - Go through the accounts you follow. If someone’s posts make you feel bad about yourself, mute or unfollow them. Fill your feed with ꦆpeople or pages that inspire or uplift you.
Engage, Don’t Lurk - Instead of just scrolling, try commenting, messaging, or sharing. Focus on real interactions that make you f🍸eel connectedও.
Set Limits - Use screen-time trackers to see how much time you’re spending online. Set boundaries, like no phone during me༒als 🌜or before bed.
Prioritize Real Connections: Instead of chasing likes or follow🍒ers, spend time connecting with people you genuinely care about.
Check In With Yourself - Take a moment to ask: “How is social ♒media making me feel?” If it’s causiꦬng stress or anxiety, it’s time to adjust your habits.
Why This Matters
Socia🏅l media isn’t goi💛ng anywhere—it’s part of modern life. But instead of letting it take over, we can choose to use it in ways that add value to our lives.
The UBC study shows that small changes can have a big impact. Whether it’s muting a toxic account or spending more time connecting with close friends,🅠 these shifts can help us feel more in control and less stressed.
The Bottom Line
Social media doesn’t have to be all🐲 bad. It’s about how you use it. 𝄹By being more intentional—cleaning up your feed, focusing on meaningful connections, and setting boundaries—you can turn it into a tool for connection and positivity.
So, instead of mindlessly 🌌scrolling, le🅠t’s scroll smarter. Social media should work for you, not the other way around.
