We’ve spoken before about some of the dangers associated with social media apps in the past but now wanted to focus on one specific issue. It’s no secret that sites like Instagram and their perfect-picture culture can be damaging to our self-esteems, but the ways to combat and avoid this are less talked about.
So, what can we do? It’s obviously not realistic to ask the whole world to delete the app and stop its effects altogether (not to mention counterproductive), but we can begin to be a bit more mindful about our social media consumption. For instance, if you find yourself scrolling for hours, you could try using the screen time (or equivalent) function on your phone to put reminders in place. Sometimes you just need a little nudge. Another great way to create a healthier space for yourself online is to be mindful of the accounts you follow. If you know you have a habit of comparing yourself or your life to the ones you see online, then it can be helpful to detox your following list and prune out the accounts that make you feel this way. You could even go one step further and replace them by following productive accounts that inspire you or promote better self-esteem and positivity. It can also help to simply remind yourself of the sheer quantity of edited media online. Editing apps are getting better and better and have reached a point at which an edited photo or video can be entirely undetectable.
Speaking of edited images, it’s also important to highlight the effects of beauty filters. Filters that change the shape of your features, smooth out your skin, and paint on makeup can be found on almost all major social media sites now, including on Instagram, Snapchat, and TikTok. If you’re a TikTok user, you may be aware of the ‘faux freckle filter’ trend where people compare their face with and without the filter – a prime example of how these changes can lower our confidence. Whilst filters can be a lot of fun and very innocent, it’s important to use them consciously, with an awareness that they can affect the way you see yourself.
All in all, social media is fun and a great way to stay connected with others. The takeaway here is that whilst enjoying these sites and benefitting from them, we should also be mindful of their effects and notice when they’re making us feel less than our best.
