Just Call Me Jess

Mood Disorders and Mindfulness

Social Media and Mental Health – The Good Side 

“Is social media bad for you?” and “Here are (#) signs that social media is having a negative impact on your mental health” – These are just 2 of the many negative titles regarding social media and mental health.

Is it really that difficult to wonder why it has a negative impact on us with titles like those?

The devil may sit on one shoulder but let’s not forget the angel sitting on the other!

So, instead, I will be talking about my positive experience with social media, how much of a difference it has made to my mental health and ways for you to implement positivity into social media.

Throughout my adolescent years, I did have several bad experiences with trolls, threats and bullying on Facebook which led me to feeling suicidal and severely depressed. Unfortunately, I am sure we all have experienced this at least once.

Social Media and mental health the good side text with woman on computer typing.

When I left school, this was a game changer – I wasn’t being bullied anymore. It was like a button had switched off and everybody just stopped one day. However, I was being stalked, not just on social media but at my workplace too. Thankfully, my work colleagues were very supportive and stayed close to me when this person entered the store. Eventually, the stalker got bored – That has been my only bad experience since leaving school.

It goes hand in hand that as we get older, we learn about how social media can have an impact on our mental health.

Since I began my blog, back in October 2018, and became more involved with social media platforms, I can honestly say that that social media has had a massive positive impact, not just my mental health but my self-esteem and motivation too.

All my life, I never liked myself, I didn’t really know who I was. Through writing, I was able to find parts of me, strengths and qualities that I never thought I had. I started to feel comfortable with who I was and still am – a strong motivational fighter.

I always receive positive feedback about my writing and to do this day, I still find it a bit hard to believe as when I was at school, I always struggle with writing stories – the ending would always be the same.

Only one teacher ever said this to me and it has stuck with me since. In a way, I’m glad it has as it motivates me to keep writing and prove them wrong.

I had always been an introvert, always afraid to speak up. Social media has become one of my best friends because I am surrounded by so many supportive and amazing people. I have stayed true to myself and never looked back, never tried to be someone to ‘fit in’ or someone who I didn’t want to become.

It turns out, that’s what people actually like, honesty – not fake. They like me and I am starting to like who I am too. In the social media world, there is no news like bad news – as the saying goes.

Wrong!

We are in 2019 and it’s about time to spread more positivity in the world. No more bad! We all are aware of the horrible events that take place around d the world but instead of reminding us that it’s bad, why don’t we act upon them. We can make a difference just by taking steps to creating more good in the world. Here are a few ways social media can change:

Social Media and Mental Health – The Good Side: News Coverage

Let’s think about it, how many news articles have you read, this year, which have been about bad events taking place? E.g. stabbings, suicide, terrorism, etc

I fully understand that we need to be aware but in some circumstances, do we actually know what to do to help prevent more of these happening? Personally, I don’t and instead of the news constantly reminding us about these events, they could start talking about ways to help stop these. I’m not saying that we need to become experts on these matters but just knowing the basics of what we can do to help will go a long way.

Now think about how many good articles you have read…big difference, right?

Social Media and Mental Health – The Good Side Facebook, Twitter and Instagram

These 3 social media platforms have fast become the #1 source for breaking news and spreading upsetting  and distressing content. For example, I once saw an article about the next day being the most popular day to die – need I explain my point?

Just why? Why would someone share that?

Not only do we need to think before we speak but we need to think before we write and share too.

There is so much happiness to share, laughter and good times, we need more of these! Spread the love, not hate!

Social Media and Mental Health – The Good Side Be Nice

Trolls, bullies, stalkers – stop. Just stop. There is no need.

A small compliment really does go a long way. Instead of saying something which you know would make someone upset, say something to make that person smile – it really is that simple.

My aim is to spread more positivity throughout my blog, my Facebook page, Twitter and Instagram. If you would like to join me than I would love to talk with you! Together, as a team, we can make the world a more positive place to be. Like I said social media is fast becoming the #1 place for everything, we can use that to spread more happiness!

About The Author

Post written by Ami, a 24 year old from Norfolk, England. Her blog, Undercover Superhero, is about her journey to recovery – learning to walk again, life experiences and generally about anything that makes her happy! She is incredible;y excited to get to know you 🙂 Connect with her below you will not regret it!

Her Blog – https://undercoversuperhero2.home.blog
FB Page –  https://www.facebook.com/UndercoverSuperheroAmi/
Twitter – https://twitter.com/Ami_T1995
Instagram –  https://www.instagram.com/ami_tricker/

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Comments

  1. This is an interesting perspective and provides balance to the debate.

    My own mental health has definitely been negatively influenced by social media yet I use it to try and end the stigma these illnesses still have in our society.

    Reply

    • Sorry to hear it has had a negative influence on your mental health however it’s great that you are proactive in removing the stigma around mental health 🙂

      Reply

  2. Her post is amazing! I always hear about the negative things about social media ( I’m guilty of this) but don’t sit to think about the positives 🌷

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  3. I have met some friends on social media that I talk to all the time so I think that’s a great thing about social media!

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  4. You’re doing a lovely thing here, spreading positivity! I’ve found since writing a blog I can either get nice or nasty comments (because my blog topic really divides opinion) but I’m learning to be ok with that. I’m glad you’re feeling much stronger after starting your blog 💚

    Reply

  6. I love this post! After graduating high school, I completely got rid of every social media I had. Just a few days ago, I decided to give Facebook another try to promote my blog. It makes my day when people leave me positive feedback!

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  7. I see both positive and negative debates to social media, and I try to look on the positive side most of the time. All that it can do for you, vs all the bad. Great points and interested post 🙂

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    • Thank you so much. For the past few decades, it’s clear that social media can have a strong negative influence, not only on people’s mental health but people’s actions too. I think there is definitely potential for our current and next generation to contribute more Positivity into social media!

      Reply

  8. Social media certainly has its positives, but I think we all need to set our own reasonable boundaries to keep it healthy.

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  10. I like this post. People often discuss the negatives of social media, but there’s a bit of negativity in just about everything. Glad to hear about the positives for some people.

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  12. A ton of my friends have opted out of news just because it’s too depressing and negative and I don’t blame them. I too like to spread the message of mental wellness and positivity through blogging as well! I loved this article and I hope you keep it up

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  18. With all the negativities that we see in social media every single day, it’s nice to read something positive. As for me, I have started deleting my contents on Facebook because I am eventually planning to just leave it completely just for business purposes.

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  20. I’m an introvert too! During my years in public school, I would use social media as a way to communicate as I didn’t have that much friends in school. Now a days, I balance social media in a healthy way and also use it for my blog.

    Reply

  22. A very good point. I feel like Social Media is only negative if you let it be negative. The posts you like and follow determine what you’re going to see down your timeline. I’ll see the occasional news story on mine, but often, I see a lot of cute videos on babies and animals.

    People always looked towards unrealistic role models. Before, it was celebrities on TV, certain movies, and reality TV shows presenting lavish lifestyles. We would see all the negativity on the news.

    Now, the blame goes towards “influencers”, Instagram models and celebrities.

    I don’t believe that social media is the blame for spreading negativity. It’s just the platform that is getting the blame right now. In 10 years, it’ll probably be something else.

    It’s all a matter of perspective.

    Reply

    • I do think social media can spread negativity depending on who you follow or befriend. In your case you follow individuals who do not post in such a way but some do. I have unfollowed many individuals due to negativity or bigotry popping up to often on my timeline.
      People also tend to have unrealistic role models because they have had them from the beginning . From GI Joes to Barbies we are not all going to be shaped or made the same. I am one of five kids so i definitely know lol.
      I do agree it will be another social media network in 10 years just like it was Myspace before

      Reply

  25. I love how you are emphasizing positivity in life and on social media. I am so glad I did not grow up in the age of social media! There’s good and bad there — it’s easier to troll people because you don’t have to do it face-to-face. Most of the mean people on social media would wilt if they had to face the person they are trying to hurt!

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  26. Social Media can provide so many positive! But understandable so… there are negatives as well. I recently assigned a project to my 8th grade students about using social media to improve wellness!

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  28. Our class did a study about the effect of social media on mental health and you would be surprised of how people crave validation through number of likes and follows. Sad reality if not used properly.

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    • I could believe it! In my therapy sessions i have to remind people (as i occasionally remind myself) that social media is not reality

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  29. I try to see the good of social media too. I do know there is another side to it, but I try to stay as far away from that as possible.

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  30. Social media can be among the greatest things to build up people and the world, and unfortunately, the easiest to tear someone down. We do need to put more positive energy out there.

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  32. I love social media. It keeps me up-to-date on most things, I can make new friends and it makes me feel good more often than not. Thanks for the post.

    Reply

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