How to Maintain a Healthy Relationship With Someone

Hi Ala,

As a senior, it's hard to escape from the social media bubble. Whether it be social anxiety distractions or insecurities that stem from being on Instagram all the time and seeing what people are posting and doing on nights out, how can I maintain a healthier relationship with social media?

Dear Reader,

Thank you so much for asking this excellent question. I feel this question hits home for many students, and it poses many issues for adolescents and high schoolers.

Social media takes up many people's time; just look at your screen time. Using it for so long gives social media a chance to influence us greatly. We get an insight into people's lives, projects, and even food. The beautiful photo compositions, stunning drawings, and stories lure the users in with seemingly no end. As users, we must remember that Instagram and other platforms only show what the author wants to show. The outwardly perfect lives of people on social media are filled with struggles, pain, and sadness outside of the frame of the posts.

I notice the more time I spend on social media, the more I doubt myself, my abilities, and my choices. The constant comparisons those platforms force upon us can create anxiety, depression, and even cause people to consider suicide. Thus, it is essential not to let yourself fall into the spiral of despair.

Firstly, internalize that the content shown on social media is not the whole truth. This will help you stop comparing yourself to others. Also, remember that making different life choices or being at a different stage in life is okay! Everyone advances at a different rate.

You can also try limiting your screen time on social media. You can either specify the time spent or the number of posts you look at each day. This will require a lot of self-control and will take a lot of time to adjust to, so be patient with yourself.

When you are on social media, remember that you decide when you start and stop watching social media and choose who you follow. If you know that a specific user makes you anxious or doubtful, you can simply unfollow them.

This is, of course, not to say you can't delete social media, but it's understandable to want to keep it. Social media has a lot of positives, so try to concentrate on what makes you happy. Make it a platform to improve your day, not diminish your self-worth.

I hope this helps!