Since social-media platforms can bring approving attention from others, they can seem like good places to go for a pick-me-up, but they might actually bring you down. Most people portray themselves in a distortedly flattering way on these feeds, giving the impression they’re having more exciting lives than they truly are. “This can lead to faulty comparisons and doubts about your own lifestyle,” says Rob Whitley, a psychiatry professor. In some cases, he adds, it can even contribute to the onset of depression or anxiety.
Social media can also tempt you to make decisions based on how you hope other people will perceive you – going to scenic spots that don’t actually interest you, for example, or spending all your time baking loaves of bread just to post photos of them. Meanwhile, the activities that will provide a sense of real purpose and worth, such as cultivating good relationships, pursuing meaningful work, contributing to the community and learning new things, don’t always lend themselves to social-media sharing.
In a 2018 Centre for Addiction and Mental Health survey, people who reported spending two or more hours on social media every day were significantly more likely to say their mental health was “poor” or “fair,” compared to people who spent less or no time on these platforms.
Whitley recommends moderation. He also suggests deciding on times when you won’t log on to social media at all – such as when you’re at the dinner table or having a telephone conversation – so you can give the activities at hand the focus they deserve.