How to use Social Media in Positive Way

Maximizing the positive potential of social media is crucial in today's world, where platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter have become integral parts of our lives. Their impact is undeniable, shaping society in profound ways. From showcasing lifestyle bloggers to fostering career opportunities, social media has transformed how we connect, work, and consume information. In fact, a staggering 71% of Twitter users rely on the platform for news. Here are some tips and resources to improve your experience on social media

Set some intentions

We’ve all been guilty of mindlessly scrolling through our feeds from time to time; setting intentions for social media use can help you get what you want out of the platform and limit time spent online just for the sake of it. Your intentions can be anything, including:

Connecting with family and friends
Getting inspiration from artists you admire
Participating in an online community
Learning new skills
Expressing yourself
Researching for university
Building an audience to show them something you love or are working on

These are just examples, but they can help you focus and be more mindful online. Of course, if you also want to follow accounts to get your daily meme fix, you should – that is important, too.

Get rid of negativity

Lots of us start social media accounts and then, over the years, accumulate connections and friends and follow accounts that become irrelevant to our lives, which could impact our mental wellbeing. You may not even realise how much someone you follow is influencing how you feel about yourself until you take an active inventory of your emotions and reactions. Make sure your feelings are constructive and you should be good to go!

Social media should be a positive space that you can exist in safely and happily. It can sometimes be hard if the person is an old friend, but there are also options to mute connections, so you can opt-out of seeing content that doesn’t positively influence you, without completely disconnecting.

Try to engage.

Limiting how often you use social media can be a good idea, but changing our behaviour while we are on it can also be a positive step. Researchers have actually found that people who comment and connect with friends are happier on social media than people who scroll without commenting. In these times, it’s particularly important to stay connected and engaging through social media can be a great way to do this. It’s also very important to be considerate online, and although everyone loves a bit of healthy debate, it’s best to keep things positive. Try showing support and bear in mind that even though they may seem distant and untouchable, people can be vulnerable and you should try to be kind. You can also participate by sharing your own struggles and successes in Facebook groups or similar spaces. Communities online often feel very real and incredibly important and you may find that, by participating, you get a wonderful response back in return.