By: Alaina Schmitt
Social media has done more harm than good for some people, and these Bellarmine students, along with college students across the country, are speaking out about their relationship with social media.
Junior Grace Mack said social media is something she uses to compare herself to other people, and it has a negative effect on her mental health.
“Everyone shows the most perfect aspects of their life on social media,” Mack said. “That can be detrimental because life is not perfect and it’s very messy. When we only see the perfect stuff, it makes us feel like the messiness in our life isn’t okay and is wrong.”
Junior Zach Lykins said social media has negatively affected both his sleep patterns and personal relationships.
“I’ll just sit and scroll through social media all night, so I think it negatively affects my sleep patterns,” Lykins said. “I think it can also negatively affect your personal relationship. If you’re hanging out with people and you’re constantly on your phone, it takes you out of the real world.”
As a mental health professional, Bellarmine counselor Jami Notaro recognizes there can be a healthy amount of social media.
“I talk with clients about playing to the algorithm. If you are getting flooded with a lot of content that feels negative, flood your feed with things that you know are going to bring light to you,” Notaro said. “If you really like to use social media as a down time, then tweak your content a little bit.”
Washington University student Emma Lembke encountered negative effects of social media herself and became an activist on the issue. She started the Log Off Movement in June 2020 to create discussion about the negative effects young people face from social media.
In an interview with The New York Times on June 14, 2022, Lembke suggested ways the Log Off Movement attempts to better people’s relationships with social media.
“Through our podcast, a leadership council, an educational curriculum on how to use online spaces safely and blogs, we are discussing ways we can move forward with technology and allow it to become a tool rather than a controller,” Lembke said in the article.
Notaro said she stepped away from social media four years ago when she was diagnosed with epilepsy.
“I just put the boundary up and stepped away. It was honestly one of the best things I’ve done,” Notaro said. “I’ve seen being off social media only positively impact my relationships and only make them more genuine and purposeful. It’s been really good for my mental health.”
Successful tactics to leave social media and improve mental health are different for everyone.
“For me personally, I like to play golf and play in bowling leagues,” Lykins said. “Occasionally, I’ll try to go outside. I have a balcony that I’ll sit on and just enjoy nature.”
Mack said she prefers exercising and writing.
“Running, working out, and just working on improving myself. Also, journaling is big for me because I like writing what I am feeling and reflecting on it,” she said. “Taking a step back and reminding myself that I’m doing okay, that my struggles are valid and that I can get through it is helpful.
Mack said speaking out more about the subject spreads awareness and encourages others to ask for help.
“I think it’s very important that we advocate for mental health because it is something that a lot of people struggle with and it is something that has a lot of stigma,” Mack said. “It can help someone realize that they’re not alone and that there is hope and there is help out there.”
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