Health effects of social media...are they changing in our current states of physical isolation?

amandaeve · April 2020

Everywhere you turn research warns us of the dangers of social media; it's addictive, it causes depression (people feel more lonely, people compare themselves to what they see, FOMO fear of missing out), it's imbalanced, dishonest, too short, discourages critical thinking, it's lazy, you name it.

However, when you look at the mental health impacts in today's world where we are physically isolated from each other far more than ever before (globally, not necessarily individually), do you think social media is better now and helping us, worse now by exaggerating its faults, or the same?

lynn_glenmont · April 2020

I think not all social media is the same, and I think not all people use social media in the same way.

Katmary71 · April 2020

I think there's both good and bad, especially right now. Comparison to others and not spending time with others in person would be a downfall. Positives would be things like teachers teaching students right now, keeping in touch with others through things like Zoom, and keeping updated on everything going on (which can be bad too, after seeing pictures of empty stores and hearing stories of lines and people being robbed of groceries I was so nervous to go shopping I had major anxiety and couldn't sleep the night before). For me I live alone so it's a connection to others. My neighborhood groups have been awesome at fostering a sense of community. I'm able to stream church and YouTube fitness videos. I've learned a lot through groups as well like health condition groups.

kimny72 · April 2020

The same. Social media is just a tool, it's up to each individual on how they use it and control it. Social media has at times been a place to connect with people I care about, a lifeline even; and at other times it's been a compulsion and depressed me. The difference is in why I was there and how I let it affect me.

I live alone, so connecting with family and friends by texting, email, FB posts and video chats right now has been a blessing. Same as stumbling across live music performances on FB, Twitter, and YouTube. But there's also some jealousy for other people's sanitized "better" situations, just like always. That's when I have to get my head back on straight and check myself.

AnnPT77 · April 2020

I think social media has helped me. I'm an introvert, but benefit from a little bit of social life. Since I live alone, some online interaction has been helpful to me while isolated.

On MFP, I interact exclusively (I think

) with people I don't know in real life.

On Facebook, with only super-rare exceptions, I interact only with people I do know in real life. When someone is curating their life to make it look more accomplished/wonderful than the well-rounded reality, I'm usually aware of it. (It doesn't increase my respect for them.

). Personally, I try to make it a point to post a mix of good stuff and personal failures or quirks, to keep things well-rounded. I'm not saying I'm 100% an open book about every flaw, but I'm consciously trying not to be all glittery/shiny (if I were even capable). There have been some casual friends who are posting really good/interesting things during our "shelter in place" period, and I'm coming to appreciate them more than from my casual in-person interaction.

Across the board, I feel like I'm learning a lot about many people in my life from what they're posting in this challenged time. Some of it is good, and some of it is really, really not. It is making me feel badly for the extreme extroverts, because they're suffering from isolation in a way I absolutely don't. I also feel for those who struggle with anxiety (or depression), because most of them are feeling very anxious, and for some of those, their usual anxiety-release strategies are not as available.

On Twitter, I mostly don't post, but follow a few real-life friends, and (mostly) quasi-academic blogs, science sites, authors, scientists, etc., and get lots of useful or interesting content from that.

I deeply appreciate the internet (more widely than social media) right now, for buying things I need, finding farms selling produce (that I'd usually see at the farmers market), getting crafts or exercise videos, for entertainment (music, videos) and more. Day-to-day would definitely be less stimulating, in isolation, without it.

I think this is just a more wordy way of saying what others have: One's social media experience is to a major extent self-created via our choices of how we use it, and how we respond to it.

snickerscharlie · April 2020

Facebook for me, too, is simply a place I connect 'publicly' with people I know. Acquaintances. I do not post my life on there.

The people I *really* care about get much more personal and direct contact from me - either through email, text, video chat or regular phone calls.

I've found that I'm on Facebook a lot less right now, because some people tend to post the kind of misinformation about COVID that really gets me riled up. All of the miracle cures and preventatives. At first, I would post to counter the bs, but after a while, I simply backed off, instead, when I found it was making me angry.

Life is too short. Especially right now.

janejellyroll · April 2020

I am still not finding social media (as in social media platforms) to be incredibly good for me right now. I get on reddit a bit each day to entertain myself and connect with some specific interests, but that's it for right now (other than this forum).

What I am finding really healthy is group chats and video calls with friends and family.

ninerbuff · April 2020

I believe it's how it's viewed by the person using it. Dependent on the personality type of the individual, social media is just another avenue for either learning, entertainment, interaction, etc.

A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
IDEA Fitness member
Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition

Ikeeptrying2 · April 2020

I treat most of it for what it is - a land of make believe. Filter and enjoy what I want and discard the rest.

mtaratoot · April 2020

I am one of eighteen people in the known Universe that doesn't participate in Facebook. Or Twitter. Or.... Actually anything except MFP. I actually find it odd I even participate in this part of MFP. I am grateful that MFP is a great tool for logging food and managing weight; I migrated over when the USDA was phasing out their "Super Tracker" site.

In general, it's a supportive place. In general, I am glad to be able to share in others' successes and struggles, and it's a reasonably good place to share some of mine. None of that has changed with the current pandemic, except that it's another topic we can share about.

So how about I share something here that made me smile in real life?

As an escape from working remotely, I walk my lunch break away. I have a few modifications to a basic route that is almost exactly 5KM. One of the routes takes me past a cute little part of a street where the sidewalk jogs onto a property to go around a large tree. It's a Giant Sequoia. There's quite a few around town. There's a couple hand-made wood benches people can rest, and a woven "nest" of branches on the ground where I guess kids can play.

Anyway, now there's also a board with a bunch of clothespins on it. Being curious, I walked over to see what it was. The sign said FREE MASKS. Additional information said that the person who was giving them away normally volunteers at the local Humane Society Thrift Shop. Since it's closed for some reason (who could guess why?), the person has started volunteering to make masks. The sign says they will make several every day; please take ONE and please consider donating some cash to the Humane Society. The next day I walked by and there were two masks, each in a zip-sealed bag. One was a toddler-sized (said on the exterior label), and one was adult size. Next time I go back by, I may take one if there are several left. I rigged one up from a bandana and a paper towel. It will be nice to have something a little fancier I can wear next time I go to the grocery as a courtesy to the employees. It's pretty unlikely I am infected, but they don't know that.

Stay safe, wash your hands, don't stress-eat like I have been doing, and let's have a big party when we get to the other side. Let's make it a masquerade party. Everybody wear a mask -- just not THAT kind of mask.

midlomel1971 · April 2020

I stopped using Facebook about 1 month ago ....deactivated my account....and the benefits have been HUGE. I feel so much better. I do feel more out of the loop, especially with my family, but the benefits outweigh the bad.

mmapags · April 2020

I have family and friends all over North America and even some in other parts of the world. Social media is an easy way to stay at least somewhat connected with my far flung community. I don't get into the time wasters or the downers and they get eliminated if that starts happening.

Health effects of social media...are they changing in our current states of physical isolation?

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