Weekly Prompt #6: How does social media affect social anxiety?
Hello everyone, I hope you are all being easy on yourself this week.
Last week we discussed: How has your experience with anxiety shaped your perspective on mental health and self-care? Thank you to all who participated and shared their thoughts for discussion. I enjoyed them. I hope you all did too. If you didn't share yours, please share them here and I look forward to reading and discussing them with you.
This week's prompt: How does social media affect social anxiety?
I think it's up to each of us to figure out how social media affects us individually. For some people, it may exacerbate their anxiety. For others, it may be a lifeline. The key is to be mindful of how we're using social media and to always prioritize our mental health above all else.
Remember, everyone's experience with anxiety is unique, and there's no one-size-fits-all solution. By sharing our stories and strategies with one another, we can create a supportive community of understanding and resilience. Let's continue the conversation and support one another on the journey toward greater wellness.
Also, please share your feedback on how are you finding these weekly prompts. On a scale of 1-10 where 1 as "meh" to 10 as "Loved it". Is there anything I can do to make this discussion prompts better or if there is any topic on which we may want to discuss some weekly prompts?
For your review of previous prompts, here are the post links:
- Weekly Prompt #5: How has your experience with anxiety shaped your perspective on mental health and self-care?
- Weekly Prompt #4: How do you find a balance between pushing yourself outside of your comfort zone and honoring your limits?
- Weekly Prompt #3: What stigma related to anxiety did you experience?
- Weekly Prompt #2: What helps shift your mind from anxious thoughts?
- Weekly Prompt #1: What worries tend to dominate your thoughts?
Hi, ASO,
How does social media affect social anxiety?
I personally don't like many forms of social media. But there are some that I do like. For instance, I don't like the social media site for students at the university. I found myself anxious about having to check it frequently to make sure I stayed on top of responses. The result is that I stopped using it.
Like all social aspects in life, there are bad people and there are good people on these sites. You have to be careful. If you make a bad decision with these people, you can find yourself in a world where you cannot reach the people who want to hurt you. That causes an immense amount of anxiety.
I don't use social media much to protect myself.
@purpleTree4652 I hear how frustrating and anxiety-inducing the university social media site felt for you, leading you to stop using it. Social media can connect us but also expose us in ways that feel risky at times. What aspects of the sites you do enjoy make them feel safer for you?
@ASilentObserver
I like two sites that are specific subjects. One is this site. I think that most people are here to improve mental health. I feel safer because the site is controlled pretty well. Another site I like is tumblr because I can choose to follow their tumblrs or not.
On a broad perspective, I think it’s intensified social anxiety and anxiety in general because it only shows small snapshots of people’s lives as if it their whole lives. It’s really easy to fake things on social media and I think that make everyone feel inadequate when it’s all fake anyways. I think it makes everyone feel like they have to keep up when the average person can’t.
For me, it doesn’t affect my social anxiety because 1) I don’t have social media anymore as I find it to be a time waster but also 2) my anxiety completely centers around being in large groups or stuck inside with people I don’t know without easy access to an exit like at the doctors office or a grocery store. I think I’m a pretty odd case though.
@akay06 I hear how social media can both connect and isolate people in challenging ways. While it hasn't impacted your social anxiety in the same way, you've found focusing on activities that bring you joy and meaningful connections to be most helpful. What aspects of connecting with others in person feel most meaningful and enjoyable for you?
@ASilentObserver
How does social media affect social anxiety?
Social Media is faux form of social interaction that does not promote anything positive, in my opinion.
In generalized form, pre internet, you needed something you would pick up the phone and call. Or you would go to the store\shop\bring and mortar to get what you needed.
Post internet, you use device (computer, phone, etc) look up what you need\want and instant gratification. Social is utilized or reduced in a Zero\One or Proton\Electron. No physical or social\verbal skill utilized or needed.
A theory would be that the anxiety is from the lack of experience and COVID-19 didn’t help with the social anxieties either.
I personally never enjoyed anything with Social Media, for I did not see anything good with it except I did like knowing what was on sale or when they were open. Now let us be honest, then we don’t need social media for that information. That is the basic info that should be on their website. One then would say “Why not call” … I dislike phone calls at all levels. I dread having to call anyone or anything. I despise “Friday system” (that is what they called them back when). What is a Friday System? That is what they use to call the automated answering system “Press 1 for English”. That brings out the anxieties in my soooo fast. To the point my internal anger levels starts overload. Originally it was great to call then press zero the minute you heard the robot. But no longer. Some calls will drop you as soon as your press that.
Ok totally off topic, back on topic now. Social Media for me didn’t alter Social Anxiety for I didn’t use and still don’t use Social Media.
“Also, please share your feedback on how are you finding these weekly prompts. ”
I enjoy the probing questions. At which then I have to justify or support my statement. Sometimes I had found what I thought would be isn’t which I enjoy.
@Barltik2065 I hear how frustrating the automated phone systems and social media can be for you, leaving you wanting more meaningful social interactions. Focusing your energy on in-person connections that bring you joy and fulfillment makes sense. What sorts of conversations or activities with others in the community feel most energizing and worthwhile for you?
I am glad you find these prompts good. I appreciate your feedback and i enjoy our discussions.
@ASilentObserver
"What sorts of interactions .."
I would say like this or anything in relation like this.
I do not see 7cups as a "Social Media" at any level. I see this more as a place of "normal" people. And I use the word Normal as the sense of not fake or a facade. Almost like a naked experience that here is all the wounds and scares bared. So we can be better, Fathers, Sons, Uncles, Friends, Spouses, Mom's, Daughters, etc. So we can be better people.
Social Media for me or to me, cover everything up and hide everything. Cause if you anything "normal" you get canceled, shamed, abused, slandered, etc
You are most welcome with the feedback. I truly enjoy the exploring of "me" in such a safe environment. Seeing where it will lead and what I will learn of "me" and who "I am".
I'm on social media everyday and yes it is a HUGE support, and it is A LIFELINE. BUT there are times when I have to disconnect and go to my books because it can be draining.
@charmingSky5972 I hear connecting with others is important, yet disconnecting to recharge is valuable too. How do you balance these needs?
@ASilentObserver
I usually get off to read books or watch tv and eat or go walking and shopping. But I also love to connect every single day online.
@ASilentObserver
Hi Aso!
How does social media affect social anxiety?
Personally I don't like going on social media because everytime I would look at all those pretty people or couple of friends having fun and I would feel pretty awful because I am not pretty or I don't spend time with my friends. Also I hate taking pictures of myself because I have thoughts that the next day everyone would just laugh at me because of them. In the end I try to minimaze my time on social medias because it give me an anxiety which ends up in emocional burnout.
@agreeableCranberry8232 I hear how social media can be challenging and bring up difficult feelings at times. Comparing yourself to others is so common yet painful. You're aware social media causes you anxiety and takes a toll on you. Minimizing your time on there sounds wise given how it affects you. How do you currently cope and care for yourself when social media leaves you feeling this way?
@ASilentObserver
Just loving these posts so glad I found them today. 💕💕💕💕
so isl media is a great way for my family to stay connected … I have 7 brothers that don’t talk much on the phone so social media is great that way.
I love 7cups and other communities I love Disney addict especially Star Wars so I do follow others who enjoy the same and it has been lovely. 😎😎
But I routinely unplug when needed and it’s necessary at times for self care. Everything in life needs balance …
I do have social anxiety more in person in big groups than with friends … social media is easier for very me less stress generally and easier to leave it be than in person lol 😂
@SunShineAlwaysGrateful I hear connecting with others who share your interests brings you joy, while also setting boundaries when needed. Focusing on balance shows self awareness. While social media can feel more comfortable, in-person interactions come with their own challenges. How do you make sense of the tradeoffs between online and in-person connections in your life?
Also thank you for your feedback. means a lot. Appreciate your participation and support to others as well.
@ASilentObserver
i am retired and since pandemic less social in person but I have missed the small social gatherings even with close family and friends so working on that and back to travel too. I visited Nashville alone to visit long time friends there and it was freeing a cane helped and wheelchair at air ports made it possible.
Online I run an alternative community with friends plus I love my time here at 7 cups … in my work as high school teacher and health promotion consultant I have found ways to remain connected … it is certainly a great balance …💕💕💕
@ASilentObserver
ooh L✨O✨V✨E✨D it lol 😂 the posts rating is 10/10 😎😎😎😎😎
@ASilentObserver
Social media doesn't really affect my social anxiety much simply because I don't use it all that much, if at all most days. I keep one up and running almost exclusively because I am part of a group where people can exchange advice and tips specific to my career field, and also to keep in touch with my older family members who still use it. There's another site I'm on where I post about a very specific subject.
For me, social anxiety primarily emerges when I'm face to face with others in real life, or when I need to be in a large group of people. However, there have been times when I do check on the engagement level on the second social media I mentioned, but it's never gotten to a point where I feel bad about myself or negatively compare myself a lot, because I am WAY over the phase of making social media a part of my identity (it's a waste of my time).
@cafedaydreams I hear that social media does not impact your social anxiety much, since you primarily use it for professional connections and keeping in touch with family. At the same time, facing people in real life and large groups can trigger your social anxiety.
@ASilentObserver
Correct. Although I will admit that when I was younger, there was one social media that did cause me a lot of anxiety. I always tried to be extra careful when communicating with others for fear that they might take my words the wrong way and yell at me. I have since quit that site, thankfully.
I think a lot of it is age related too. The older I get the less I care about showing off to others or complaining about random things that have happened to me during the day. Or it could just be a me thing, because I have seen people way older than me do these things, but anyway...
To clarify the second paragraph, I am meaning this in the context of what I see on social media.
i’m always on social media but as in i’m just scrolling through *** looking at videos and that doesn’t bother me at all. however, when it comes to things like my friend posted something and i have to comment on their post, i never know what to say and i’m scared i wont say the right thing or someone will see my comment and judge it. or it’s like if someone commented on something i posted, i have no clue what to say or the fact that on social media there is just a hundred million different meanings to things and it stresses me out so much.
sometimes it’s easier to talk to people through social media but sometimes i worry about every little thing because they don’t know the tone in which i said the sentence, they don’t know if i’m being sarcastic or not and i don’t know how they’re really reacting which causes me to worry about it for days.
btw, I rate your weekly prompt at a 9.
@chels384 I hear how frustrating and stressful social media can make you feel when you worry about others judging your comments or not understanding your tone. Focusing on others' potential reactions takes a toll. What aspects of these social interactions do you find most draining?
Also thank you for the feedback Chels. I appreciate you for sharing your experiences and emotions with us. It adds lot of insights and learning for us.
@ASilentObserver
Social media's impact on social anxiety is multifaceted. On one hand, platforms can contribute to negative effects by promoting social comparison, triggering feelings of inadequacy, and fueling FOMO.
Additionally, the potential for cyberbullying and negative interactions can exacerbate anxiety. However, social media also offers positive aspects, such as online support communities where individuals with social anxiety can find understanding and connect with others.
Moreover, the controlled nature of online interactions allows for gradual exposure to social situations, offering individuals a sense of comfort and a platform for self-expression. To mitigate the negative effects, it is crucial to practice self-care, engage mindfully, and strike a balance between online and offline connections, ensuring that social media remains a tool for empowerment and connection rather than a source of distress.