These Are the 4 Ways Social Media Can Actually Be Good for Your Mental Health

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How to Use Social Media Correctly

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Everyone’s heard the bad news: social media is horrible foryour mental health, especially if you’re a teenager. In fact, Vivek H. Murthy, the surgeon general of the United States himself, said he wanted to include warning labels on social media platforms because they’re so harmful to adolescents.But what if social media isn’t the problem? Rather—and hear me out—it’s how you use it. Look, social media gets many things right—it can positively impact our mental healthonlyif we have the education and media literacy to engage with it. But that can be easier said than done. Which is why we’re here to help.

Below, we break down why social media isn’t the monster many think it is and how it can be a powerful resource for mental health and social support. Ready to get started? Scroll on.

Impact of Social Media on Mental Health

Positive Effects of Social Media on Mental Health

Let’s start with the positives. Social media can provide social support and community.Lauren Auer, a licensed clinical professional counselor at Steadfast Counseling, says that social media can provide connections with others, “which is incredibly important.”Jared Boot-Haury, PsyD, a licensed clinical psychologist in San Francisco echoes this statement, noting that it’s particularly valuable “for those who may feel isolated due to geographic location, such as rural residents, or marginalized identities, like LGBTQ+ and BIPOC individuals. Finding a supportive online community can reduce feelings of loneliness and provide a sense of belonging.”

An Educational Resource

Kamini Wood, a certified professional and transformational coach, also adds that social media can amplify your voice, allowing “you to share your story, advocate for causes you care about, and make your voice heard.” These things can all make positive contributions to our mental health.

The Negative Effects of Social Media on Mental Health

Not all that glitters is gold and unfortunately, there are more than a few things on the negative side. One of them issocial comparison. “Social media often showcases highlight reels of others' lives, leading to feelings of inadequacy when you compare your everyday moments to their curated content,” says Wood. “This can erode self-esteem and make you question your achievements and worth.” All of which causes negative self-talk and feelings of inadequacy.

As Wood notes, seeing other people constantly tout their positive experiences, including successes orunrealistic beauty standards, can make people feel like they’re always falling short and lead them to criticize themselves.

Lauren Auer, a licensed clinical professional counselorThe sheer volume of content can sometimes be overwhelming, contributing to anxiety and stress.

Lauren Auer, a licensed clinical professional counselor

The sheer volume of content can sometimes be overwhelming, contributing to anxiety and stress.

Information overload can lead you to get lost in the sea of updates because of how posts are constantly served up. This can leave you mentally exhausted and fatigued.

Tips for Using Social Media Safely for Mental Health

You don’t have to stop using social media—you only need to use it wisely. Here are some safety social tips you should implement:

Is Social Media Giving You Brainrot?

Social Media Platforms and Mental Health Support

There are many social media platforms, and as long as you use them thoughtfully, they can positively affect yourmental health. For example, Wood recommends platforms like Calm, Headspace, and Happify, which help you cultivate meditation, mindfulness, and happiness in your life. These apps also have online communities that share tips and tools for reducing stress and increasing positive emotions.

Mental Health Resources on Social Media

There are many social media resources for mental health such as individual therapists, support groups, and educational pages.

For instance, Auer is active onTikTokandInstagram, where she shares free tips, coping strategies, and psychoeducation. Similarly, Wood is onInstagram, where she offers practical advice on self-care, boundaries, and emotional intelligence. While their accounts (and others) aren’t substitutes for one-on-one services such as counseling or therapy, they’re still helpful for providing guidance. That said, Auer encourages people to look at creators’ credentials before blindly believing them because of misinformation.

There are also numerous support groups on social media like theNational Alliance on Mental IllnessandMental Health America. These groups provide education, promote mental health campaigns, raise awareness, and help users learn about mental health conditions and how to seek help if they need it, explains Boot-Haury.

The Rise of Social Media Therapy

There are numerous successful mental health campaigns on social media. Here are a few:

Balancing Social Media Use and Mental Health

The key to balancing social media with mental health is being intentional with your time. “Just like with food, it’s essential to be mindful of what you consume online. Choosing content that nourishes your mental health is key,” Auer says.

Here are some additional tips on achieving a good balance between social media and mental health:

Wrapping Up

Social media can positively change our lives and well-being, but we need to be intentional and realistic about how we use it. That sometimes means putting down your phone and doing something else instead (a little time in nature, perhaps?). Or, being conscious about what you’re watching (and why you’re watching it). Social media isn’t our enemy—there are plenty of negative things about it, sure, but also positive parts too.

1 SourceVerywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Murthy VH.Opinion | Surgeon General: Why I’m calling for a warning label on social media platforms.The New York Times. June 17, 2024.

1 Source

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Murthy VH.Opinion | Surgeon General: Why I’m calling for a warning label on social media platforms.The New York Times. June 17, 2024.

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

Murthy VH.Opinion | Surgeon General: Why I’m calling for a warning label on social media platforms.The New York Times. June 17, 2024.

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