Symptoms of depression and/or anxiety can be made worse by using social media. In recent blog posts, we have talked about some of the ways social media can bring out negative emotions in people. Social media content can make people feel jealous of one another. Your adolescent might be comparing the number of likes they get to those of their classmates and it doesn’t do anything to build positivity. People tend to show their “best self” on social media. But the truth is everyone has their own, unique struggles, even that girl your adolescent knows who’s always posting hilarious, creative stuff. For today’s post, we wanted to share a few tips and tricks to using social media when you’re feeling depressed or anxious.
Tips and Tricks
Avoid especially negative or stressful content
If you know that going on social media means your adolescent is going to come across negativity, it’s best to avoid that content. This may seem obvious, but sometimes with depression and anxiety, it can be hard not to subject oneself to even more negativity.
Steer clear of heavy, intense conversations over social media
When communicating online, so much can get lost. The emotions behind the words can so easily get misinterpreted. We definitely encourage your adolescent to talk through emotions before they become overwhelming, but these conversations are usually best done in-person with a trusted support. If your adolescent does feel more comfortable discussing their emotions online, using a direct message between themselves and their trusted, safe support is probably the most effective way to do so.
Seek out positive material on the internet
Making an effort to seek out positive material can be difficult when depressed or anxious. But it can be so worth it. Every Monday, we post positive content for a reason. The internet doesn’t have to be a negative place – there’s lots of good stuff out there. It can make a big change in mood to seek out material that is positive. Scrolling through the same old feed on social media can make symptoms worse. Finding something new and interesting can be a great first step to improving symptoms of depression and/or anxiety.
These are just a few things that can be done to positively influence your adolescent’s mood for the better. Social media doesn’t have to be a place that makes them feel bad. By using these few tips and tricks when symptoms are increasing, social media can be a better outlet.
Do you have any tips and tricks that you’ve suggested to your adolescent about using social media when feeling depressed and/or anxious? Let us know in the comments below!