Social Media Diet

What and who we follow heavily influences our thoughts. I would say our feelings will sometimes be easier to pinpoint than our particular thoughts about an account or a post or an influencer. When you're scrolling, ask yourself, how does this make me feel? Is it Compare and despair? Is it happy and content? Is it “good enough”? “How teens use social media also might determine its impact. A 2015 study found that social comparison and feedback seeking by teens using social media and cellphones was linked with depressive symptoms. In addition, a small 2013 study found that older adolescents who used social media passively, such as by just viewing others' photos, reported declines in life satisfaction. Those who used social media to interact with others or post their own content didn't experience these declines. And an older study on the impact of social media on undergraduate college students showed that the longer they used Facebook, the stronger was their belief that others were happier than they were. But the more time the students spent going out with their friends irl, the LESS they felt this way. Because of teens' impulsive natures, experts suggest that teens who post content on social media are at risk of sharing intimate photos or highly personal stories. This can result in teens being bullied, harassed or even blackmailed. Teens often create posts without considering these consequences or privacy concerns.” https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/tween-and-teen-health/in-depth/teens-and-social-media-use/art-20474437 This doesn't affect just teens. Adults are triggered by the same information that trigger teens. This from pubmed https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4183915/ study on Online Social Networking and Mental Health “One of the reasons why time spent on SNS(social networking systems) may be associated with depressive symptoms is the fact that computer-mediated communication may lead to the altered (and often wrong) impression of the physical and personality traits of other users. This may lead to incorrect conclusions regarding physical appearance, educational level, intelligence, moral integrity, as well as many other characteristics of online friends. “ ‘Many authors define the term “self-esteem” as “the evaluative component of the self—the degree to which one prizes, values, approves or likes oneself.”10,11 It is an important factor in developing and maintaining mental health and overall quality of life.12–14 Low self-esteem is associated with the pathogenesis of numerous mental illnesses, including depression, eating disorders, and addiction.15–22 Constant self-evaluation on an everyday basis, competition and comparing one's own achievements with those of other users, incorrectly perceiving physical/emotional/social characteristics of others, feeling of jealousy, and narcissistic behavior—these are all factors that may positively or negatively influence self-esteem. ‘