Social media is one of those things that people either love or hate. Some people are obsessed with it and constantly document their lives, while others deleted it years ago, and others are just ambivalent towards it. One app that tends to be scrutinized the most is Instagram, and it’s easy to see why. Instagram’s platform is simple and visually focused.
After all, Instagram’s initial purpose was to break away from former social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, Myspace, and Reddit, and make it solely image-focused. In fact, Instagram’s creators said they wanted to create an app that facilitated communication solely through images. Throughout the years, Instagram has taken off from a simple photo-sharing platform to the wildly popular app that we have come to know today.
It’s a place for entertainment, education, connection, and community. Because of this, it’s truly changed people’s lives. However, some people find Instagram to be extremely toxic. Over the years, we’ve seen edited images of celebrity faces and bodies through photo editing. And now, it’s not just seen in magazines. It’s also seen on Instagram. Constantly seeing images of women and men who seemingly have the “perfect body” can cause comparison and negative thoughts.
Young people, who are very impressionable, may follow “influencers” or celebrities and consciously or subconsciously compare themselves to these women (or men!). But, it’s important to remember that these social media platforms showcase a “Highlight Reel” and are not actually real life. Each photo was likely curated, posed, styled, and edited to achieve the perfect photo.
You might be finding yourself stuck between a rock and a hard place when it comes to social media. Maybe you really enjoy it for the connection and community that it brings you, but hate that it’s a detriment to your mental health.
Here are 4 things you can do to make social media less toxic:
Unfollow Toxic Accounts
A toxic account may not blatantly look “toxic.” Identifying it is to notice how you feel when you come across a picture on the account. Do you tense up? Are you annoyed or anxious? Do you suddenly feel bad about yourself? These are toxic accounts. I’m not saying these are toxic people; they are just toxic for YOU. Go ahead and hit that unfollow button! Your mental health will thank you.
Utilize the Mute Button
If you don’t actually want to unfollow an account (i.e. if it’s a family member or friend), there is an amazing feature on Instagram called the ‘Mute’ button! You can mute an account by going to their profile and selecting the dropdown arrow on the ‘Following’ button, then click ‘Mute.’ You can choose to mute their posts, stories, or both. The mute button can be a great feature and is often overlooked.
Follow Positive and Inspiring Accounts
As much as Instagram is filled with influencers and celebrities, it’s also filled with tons of positive and educational accounts. You can find accounts in just about any niche: cooking, fitness, fashion, beauty, lifestyle, sports, etc. Finding accounts that align with your values can be a great way to turn your feed into a more positive and uplifting place.
Take Breaks
It can be easy to get sucked into social media by constantly checking your phone all day. One tip to help combat this is putting your phone on “Do Not Disturb” during work or allotting yourself a set amount of time to scroll through social media.
Even if you love social media and find it incredibly rewarding and inspiring, it can sometimes feel toxic. It’s imperative to put yourself first and allow yourself to take the necessary steps to protect your mental health and energy.
