EDUCATION
HOW TO CURATE YOUR SOCIAL MEDIA FEED TO BOOST YOUR MENTAL WELLBEING
WITH A STUDY REVEALING THAT EIGHT IN 10 YOUNG BRITS DISLIKE THEIR BODIES AS A RESULT OF ONLINE PLATFORMS , IT IS TIME TO RECLAIM CONTROL OVER OUR CONTENT OVERLOAD .
The negative effects social media can have on our mental health is no secret . There are a myriad of studies that prove this , with recent research by stem4 revealing that online platforms represent a significant risk to the current and future health of today ’ s young generations . The findings revealed that three out of four children as young as 12 dislike their bodies and are embarrassed by the way they look , increasing to eight in 10 young people aged 18 to 21 . While there is still a long way to go to make social media into a better space , there are a few things you can do to make you feel better about yourself and turn it into a more positive experience . Alex Payne , Sky Sports host and CEO and founder of Room Unlocked , gives his tips and tricks on how to curate your / your child ’ s feed by unfollowing those that negatively impact your wellbeing and follow more of the accounts that boost your mood .
Unfollow anyone that makes you feel inadequate
We have all scrolled through our social media at some point and felt envy from the beautifully curated images and narratives before us . However , if this has become a regular issue it might be time to take a social media break and then look to unfollow any accounts that leave you feeling low in your selfesteem . The majority of social media platforms use algorithms that determine what we see in our feeds . Make sure to interact with content that makes you feel good so that you see more of it .
Update your feed in line with your current interests
Over time our interests change and develop but are rarely reflected in our social media feeds . Have you had your social media accounts for several years ? Do you still relate to the things that you did back when you started the account ? The chances are that you may not and that it is totally fine and to be expected as you grow . When an account becomes less relatable to you , hit unfollow and find creators that are more in line with your current interests .
Stay inspired
We have already touched on the importance of unfollowing accounts that make you feel drained but remember to fill that space with accounts that make you feel positive . Social media is full of creatives and positive content if you know where to look . A great way to discover new creators ( particularly if you don ’ t know exactly what you ’ re looking for ) is looking through hashtags some of your favourite influencers have used and explore them .
176