Digital technology has fundamentally changed the landscape for social media — both worsening it through new channels of comparison and avoidance, and improving access to support and treatment.
How Technology Worsens Social Media
- Social media enables constant social comparison that amplifies social media
- Notifications and always-on work culture prevent recovery from stress
- Doomscrolling and news consumption can worsen anxiety and mood
- Screen time late at night disrupts sleep patterns that regulate social media
- Passive consumption replaces active activities that buffer against social media
How Technology Helps Social Media
- Teletherapy has dramatically improved access to social media treatment
- Mental health apps provide evidence-based tools at low cost
- Online communities reduce isolation for those with social media
- Educational content helps people understand and destigmatize social media
Healthy Technology Habits for Social Media
- Designated phone-free times (especially mornings and before bed)
- Curate social media to reduce social media triggers
- Intentional vs. passive consumption
- Balance screen time with activities that genuinely restore