Social Media’s Impact on Relationships and Self-Advocacy

Social media keeps us connected 24/7, but being online all the time comes with some real downsides, especially when it starts affecting your relationships or self-worth.

It is not just about who’s watching your stories or how many likes you get. It’s about knowing when social media is helping you, and when it’s hurting you.

During your teen years, it is common to feel lonely or that you do not quite fit in. Social media connections can provide some relief for teens who have trouble building connections in real life. While online relationships can create a sense of belonging and a feeling that you have “found your tribe,” they are not always as they appear.

Whether it is through social media or online gaming platforms, it can be difficult to know if it’s actually safe to share personal information, photos, or make plans to meet in real life.

Safety Tip: Never post your address, school, or private info online!

It’s not just about “stranger danger”

Even the people you do know can act differently online.

Sometimes the way we interact online with the people we know can change the dynamic of our relationships.

Many of us post so much of our lives online – it can be easy for our friends and followers to keep tabs on us. But when does it turn from friendly curiosity to unhealthy control or jealousy?

While many teens report feeling more connected to their friends and significant others through social media and texting, about 27% of teens report feeling jealous or unsure about their relationship because of social media.

Someone’s social identity can make you question the relationships you thought you had. In fact, 42% of teens report that their partners act differently online than they do in real life.

When we are focused on follows and likes, it is impossible to be ourselves.

It seems harmless, but chasing online validation can mess with your mental health. As social media becomes more entrenched in our daily lives and its use and impacts are better understood, researchers have examined how gaining followers and likes have influenced online behaviors.

Stories from young people have revealed that taking multiple photos (often staged) is common, so that posts will get more likes and comments. Common Sense Media research identified that some people will remove posts that do not get “enough” likes, and that they feel badly about themselves if no one likes or comments on their posts.

Next time you’re worried about how many people interact with your post, remember: Social media rewards a version of you that isn’t 100% real. And the more you focus on outside approval, the harder it is to like yourself as you are.

Check out our previous blog about self-love.

So how can you shift your priorities from gaining validation online to building and maintaining real healthy relationships?

Building boundaries and self–love

Here are 5 ways to practice healthy social media habits and build self-love:

• Set Boundaries: Limit the number of platforms you use and the content that you share. Consider using tools (like timers or limits) to help you manage how much time you’re spending online.
• Create a Healthier Feed: Be mindful of the accounts that you follow – the social platform will serve you more positively if you’re interacting with accounts that bring you joy.
• Beware of Intentions: Ask yourself: Would I post this even if no one liked it? If not, take a break and focus on doing something for you, not your followers.
• Check on Yourself: Be aware of how social media impacts your thoughts and feelings – if you’re starting to feel down, it’s time to log off and do something else. Try going for a walk, listening to music, journaling, or being creative!
• Avoid comparing yourself to others: Remember that you are only seeing what others want you to see. There is always more to their story and you are great just as you are.

Social media can help us find and deepen relationships. But, like many things, too much of it can harm us more than it helps us. It is important to set boundaries that can protect our self-love and maintain our healthy friendships and romantic relationships.

Learn more about self-love here: https://www.keeprelationshipsreal.com/love-starts-with-loving-yourself/