Social Media and You

Unless you’ve been living under a rock, social media has probably become an indispensable part of your daily life. Had a good meal? Post it on Instagram. New job? It’s not concrete until you’ve updated your Linkedin profile! Newspapers? Who needs those when you have Facebook?

While social media makes it easier to stay in touch with the people we care about and the issues that matter to us, our overindulgence has deeply affected our daily lives. Taking note of the following Dos and Don’ts can contribute to a healthier social life and state of mind.

Social media and communication

DON’T:

• Go a whole day without actually saying a word to anyone: Let instantaneous forms of communication such as Whatsapp, Telegram and Facebook Messenger replacing the more traditional modes.

Professional counselors report that essential skills of listening, empathising and intimate communication can only be effectively honed when speaking in person or over the phone, where nuances of tone, body language and/or emotion can be more easily deduced. 

DO:

• If you haven’t spoken to a friend or family member for some time, pick up the phone and call them, or arrange a meetup. Your exchange will be more stimulating and engaging that way.

Social media and social life

DON’T:

• Always on your smartphones when going to a restaurant with your family and friends: Staying glued to social media in the physical company of others is extreme discourtesy as it indicates you find your companions less interesting than what’s going on online. Has social media taken the “social” out of our social lives?

DO:

• If you’ve taken the trouble to head out and meet with your friends and family, make the most of it — look them in the eye, and talk to them! You can tweet about it later; It’s more important to live life in the moment.

Social media and self-esteem

DON’T:

• Compare yourself to others on social media: Being inundated with others’ picture-perfect moments can make it hard to focus on your own strengths and achievements. When your Facebook or Instagram is plastered with photographs of people taking glamorous holidays, flaunting beach-ready physiques or showing off their luxury shopping, it’s easy to feel envious. And the number of likes on these posts may even affect your self-esteem.

DO:

• First, make sure you know the social media updates of those you envy are only a small part of their real lives.
• If you still feel you’re often negatively affected by what you see online, you should cut down your social media consumption. You might consider unfollowing people whose social media posts frequently make you feel inadequate — they won’t know, and you’ll feel better!

Ultimately, social media can be a wonderful tool for maintaining long-distance relationships, cataloging your experiences and milestones and keeping abreast of what’s going on in the world. But useful as it is, it should be used with circumspection and moderation. The last thing you want is letting social media take over your life.