Social media has made it possible for anyone to share information with a global audience. On the positive side, it can help you stay in touch with friends and family, follow news stories, promote business or personal interests, and share experiences and opinions (Laurel, 2016).
It also offers people a chance to express themselves, build relationships, find employment, and connect with organizations and brands they support. However, social media can also have a negative impact on people's mental health and lead to addiction. It may cause you to lose focus on school or work, distract you from healthy activities, and contribute to feelings of loneliness or depression. It can even increase the risk of cyberbullying and other types of online harassment.
Overusing social media can cause you to miss out on real-life events or opportunities, and it can make you feel insecure about your appearance or lifestyle. This can create a sense of inadequacy and dissatisfaction, especially if you see other people's airbrushed photos of tropical vacations or their latest professional promotion. It may also lead to a fear of missing out (FOMO), which can fuel an addictive pattern of checking and engaging with your social media accounts all the time.
Excessive social media use can also interfere with your sleep patterns, so it is important to limit how much time you spend on these platforms. Enforce "social media breaks" for yourself and your children, such as refusing to check your phone until you have completed homework or other chores. It is also helpful to set a regular bedtime for your devices and not allow them in the bedroom.
