Necessary measures

At this point in time, we have never been more connected on a global scale than we are now. This week we are talking about social media and how our increasing reliance on it is creating mental health problems which many of us may not even be aware of. Nowadays it is the norm to have not only one social media account but several. This reliance on staying connected online is affecting us in a variety of ways which need to be addressed. Why do we feel the need to constantly check our phones? Are we afraid to miss out on anything that’s happening without us?

A study conducted in Copenhagen concluded that “Facebook envy” is in fact a real thing. Apparently comparing yourself to others on social media by stalking their actions and whereabouts can wreak havoc on your insecurities. We tend to compare our real lives to the lives people are portraying online often forgetting that what they are portraying is heavily edited and very selective.

Another sad aspect of constantly needing to check our phones is the loss of human connection. It’s becoming a normal sight to walk into a restaurant and see a group of people having dinner together while each person stares into their phone. We would rather know what’s happening on Instagram than have a real life conversation with the person sitting in front of us.

Awareness is key. When you are aware of these issues you can take the necessary steps to correct and prevent them. Limit your screen time. Understand that people are not exactly how they portray themselves to be online. Enjoy spending time and connecting with the people who are around you.

Let us know your thoughts on this issue and how you deal with living in a social media culture.