Social media’s impact on mental health is often tackled by reducing screen time or logging off, but new research suggests there may be a healthier way to engage without disconnecting. Dr. Amori Mikami, a psychology professor at the University of British Columbia, led a study exploring mindful social media use as an alternative to drastic cutbacks. Published in the Journal of Experimental Psychology, the study challenges the notion that “cold turkey” is the only path to positive mental health outcomes.
The study involved 393 participants aged 17 to 29, each expressing concerns over social media’s impact on their mental well-being. The participants were split into three groups: a control group that used social media as usual, a second group asked to abstain as much as possible, and a third group trained to engage with social media mindfully. The latter group received brief online tutorials encouraging thoughtful, intentional social media use, focusing on fostering positive connections and avoiding passive, mindless scrolling.
Dr. Mikami explained that by “leaning in” mindfully, participants could focus on the positive aspects of social media—such as maintaining supportive relationships—while avoiding the pitfalls of self-comparison and social anxiety.
Results showed that both the abstinence group and the mindfulness group reported fewer symptoms of depression and anxiety than the control group. However, only the mindful users experienced reductions in loneliness and fear of missing out (FOMO), suggesting that being intentional about social media use might be a sustainable strategy for those unwilling or unable to quit entirely.
Dr. Mikami believes the findings offer an important perspective: “For some people, learning to use social media with mindfulness could provide a healthy balance, reducing negative effects while keeping the connections that social media facilitates.”
Source: Swifteradio.com