Social media get a bad rap. It is described as harmful, propagating the negative, the fake and the unattainable.
But – as we all spend hours and hours on it – how does this affect us? TalksforTeens spoke to Isobel, or Izzy, a psychology student and mental health advocate, who uses her large social media platform @isobel.marianne precisely to discuss that: the effects social media have or may have on our wellbeing.
She points out that this generation – despite parents not always getting it – uses social media mainly for positive reasons, to connect to one another, to stay in touch, to feel part of a community or to learn new things. And this, especially during the pandemic, proved to be a very important factor of mental wellbeing.
In this Podcast Issy says that there is of course always a sense of FOMO for everyone. But she points out that it is ok to celebrate and show the fun and the highs on social media, but to also show the lows, the things that go wrong. In principle, she would like us not to use Instagram as if we are ‘on stage’. So, no photoshop and lots of backstage shots too. And at times, leave the phone in a less accessible place to have some ‘in the now’ time.
Easier said than done? Let’s hear from Izzy.
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