I often operate under the idea that social media has nothing good to offer, when that is just the opposite. While it can negatively impact young girls, I firmly believe that is due to excess use. It is a beneficial tool to connect and communicate, but anything in excess is never positive. As Jimmy Buffet once said, “Moderation seems to be the key”, and I believe that goes hand and hand with my outlook on social media use. The National Library of Medicine shares that although social media poses “privacy concerns, cyberbullying, and bad effects on schooling and mental health”, it also creates an environment in which it “boost[s] self esteem, promote[s] health, and [allows for people to] gain critical medical information” (NLM). Society seems to view social media as a space of toxicity, but when used correctly it can be seen to improve lifestyle. Additional research has shown that it can lead to sleep loss when used in excessive amounts as well as increased mental distress. Some experts work with people to reduce hazards, such as the ones previously stated, surrounding social media presence, by guiding people towards healthy usage (NLM). The help of an outside professional is amazing, but being able to catch the problem before it escalates through self regulation can save both time, money, and mental state. Different strategies such as setting app limits, leaving your phone on silent, and so much more can be the first steps in the right direction. In all, there are many pros and cons within the realm of social media. But my parting advice is aligned with that of Jimmy Buffet, moderation is the best way to tackle this issue.
