Social Media: A Lifetime of Toxic Influences You Can’t Escape

Social media is great for keeping in contact with family and friends. You can see what your favorite celebs are up to, gather inspiration, and connect with new people worldwide. It binds people from different walks of life—ages, genders, and cultures—and creates a feeling of connection and belonging, despite our differences.

But like so many things, social media has many downsides from cyberbullying, addiction, comments, competition, mental health issues, misinformation, privacy concerns, and much more. These are all toxic influences, that influence our daily lives, either consciously or unconsciously. They can even continue to haunt you long after you’ve logged off.

In this blog, I want to raise awareness on social media’s dangers and what to look out for. In a future blog, I will be sharing my journey of addiction and mental health and how I escaped.

Social Media: Addiction Danger

Have you ever wanted to take a quick look at your Instagram feed, only to find that hours have passed? The average person spends about 143 minutes (2 hours and 23 minutes) on social media daily. That might not sound like much, but when you add up all the time spent on phones throughout the day, it totals 4.5 hours per day for the average American.

For example, if you wake up at 8 am and go to bed at 11 pm, that’s nearly a third of your waking hours spent staring at your phone. And that doesn’t even include time spent on a computer at work, watching the news in the morning, or watching your favorite series in the afternoon.

Social media apps are designed to be addictive, leveraging dopamine hits from notifications, likes, and new content to keep you engaged. As you can see, even if you don’t think of it as an addiction, it’s still incredibly addictive. Over time, this constant engagement can profoundly impact your mental health, productivity, and real-life relationships.

My Tip

By setting a time limit you can reduce your social media usage. You can do this through your phone settings or simply by taking note of how much time you want to spend on these apps. You don’t have to completely stop using your phone, but before you unlock it, pause for a moment and remind yourself that there are other important things you could be doing. This simple practice can help you take back control of your time and prevent social media from consuming more of your day than you intended.

Constant Social Media Comparison Is Mentally Draining

Beyond the addictive nature of social media, another significant concern is the impact of constant comparisons that it encourages. Negatively comparing ourselves to others can have a serious toll on our mental health. However, it’s not just the comparison that hurts, but also the fear of missing out (FOMO). Social media offers a constant glimpse into the lives of friends, family, and celebrities, making it easy to feel like you’re being left behind or that others are more successful.

Have you ever scrolled past a picture of someone on a dream vacation while you’re stuck at home working hard? How did that make you feel?

I used to constantly compare myself to models and old friends who seemed more successful than me, especially during those difficult years I spent in the hospital. It made me feel like I was falling behind in life. But since stepping away from social media, that pressure has lifted. Now, that I have been focusing on my own progress, I finally feel like I’m on the right path.

Since finding my way to the right path I have been working on my self-esteem, which was negatively influenced by social media.

My Tip

If you find that someone you’re following is unhelpful or triggering, don’t hesitate to unfollow them. It is that simple! And remember, they won’t be notified that you unfollowed them, so there’s no need to feel guilty. Your mental health matters far more than what a 2D image on your screen might say. Prioritize your well-being by curating a feed that uplifts and inspires you

Miss Information

Ever heard the saying, “Don’t believe everything you see on the internet?“

The internet was created for government researchers to share information, but people often forget that it’s open to everyone. Anyone can post anything at any time. A lot of what you read online is biased, selectively presented, and often not reviewed by experts for accuracy. Misinformation spreads quickly, and it’s easy to get caught up in false narratives or misleading content.

Misinformation is just one way social media can mislead us, but what happens when that misinformation turns into targeted attacks? This brings us to another issue: cyberbullying.

My Tip

Before believing what you read, it’s crucial to think critically, verify sources, and question online content. Use trustworthy websites like HelpGuide, NHS, and other trusted websites which you can find here.

Cyberbullying

The world is full of nasty people, people who take pride in pulling someone down for them to feel better. However, they may or may not be aware of the influence they can have on someone’s life.

Everyone is entitled to have their own opinion, and that’s ok, but NEVER gives anyone the right to be nasty to someone. Cyberbullying can cause low self-esteem, stress, and anxiety. It can even lead to suicide. All I can say to those bullies is, ‘Just piss off! If you want to make someone’s life a misery, look in the mirror and deal with your own insecurities instead.

My Tips:

• Block and report!
• Dont engage-you will only give the bully the satisfaction that they are looking for
• Talk to someone so that you are not alone in this

You can find more information on cyberbullying here.

Influence of Trends

Trends are constantly changing; however, some seem to linger indefinitely. There are countless trends on social media, making it impossible to track them all. While some are fun, inspirational, and “cool,” others can be extremely dangerous.

These trends can emerge from various sources, including viral challenges, memes, or celebrity endorsements. They often gain momentum through platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and Twitter, where users share their experiences and encourage others to join. The fast-paced nature of social media allows trends to spread rapidly, capturing the attention of millions.

Some of the most dangerous trends include:

• The Hot Pepper Challenge
• The Cinnamon Challenge
• Sunburn Art
• The Bird Box Challenge
• And many more.

These challenges can profoundly impact individuals’ lives. For example, the Cinnamon Challenge, where participants attempt to eat a spoonful of cinnamon, can lead to serious, long-term health issues.

Cinnamon is made from tree bark and contains cellulose, a substance that doesn’t break down easily. While small amounts may be tolerable, larger concentrations can cause severe reactions. Participants can gag, cough, choke, and experience a burning sensation in the mouth, nose, and throat. More serious reactions include vomiting, nosebleeds, and tightness in the chest.

Social Media: A Double-Edged Tool

While social media undoubtedly has its benefits—connecting people worldwide and making communication easier—it also has its drawbacks. To protect your mental health and safety, it is so important that you handle the internet with care and mindfulness. It’s also important to remember that whatever you share online can live on indefinitely, even if you delete it. Being aware of these risks can help you navigate social media more safely, ensuring that it remains a tool for connection rather than a source of stress.

If you found this blog helpful, stay tuned for my next post where I’ll be sharing my journey with social media addiction and mental health. Make sure to follow the blog so you don’t miss it!