Young People are Pushing Back Against Social Media

A group of teenagers in Brooklyn, New York made headlines recently for starting something called the “Luddite Club.” They meet and hang out once a week, ditching their phones for reading, creative pastimes and conversation. Some members have opted for flip phones or gotten rid of their phones altogether. Avoiding social media is also one of their goals. As they mention in the article, these platforms are the opposite of “real life,” and making true connections is more important than ever.

It’s likely that these inspiring Luddite teens aren’t alone. Now that some young people are pushing back against social media, others may follow in their footsteps. It seems like a sign of hope for a generation struggling with severe mental health struggles. 

Why are Young People Pushing Back Against Social Media?

According to a 2019 survey, most kids today acquire their first phone by the time they’re 11-12 years old. Millennials and Gen Zers have grown up with this technology and witnessed its negative effects. They’ve watched their parents become consumed by it. They’ve watched their friends become obsessed with developing an online identity that garners likes. They’ve recognized how addictive and damaging it is. As a result, they’ve experienced worsening mental health and crippling loneliness.

Kids are coming to realize that in spending more time on their phones, they’re sacrificing the joys of real life. Among those joys are human connection, support, and love, as well as involvement in fulfilling activities. By pushing back against social media, Luddite teens report feeling more focused, alert and engaged with everyday life.

Why Teens are Forced to Lead the Way

You might be asking yourself why teens are being forced to take the first steps against social media. In a world where technology has become a necessity, teens haven’t had much of a say in the matter. Big tech companies have made these platforms as addictive as possible to ensure that users keep consuming content. Social media has become a part of youth culture, too, and some kids fear “missing out” by going dark.

As unfortunate as it is, we often have to be our own advocate. Technology isn’t going to disappear overnight. Pushing back against social media however, allow teens to experience real fulfillment. The happier the kids feel away from their screens, the more likely it is that they will enact widespread change. Then, maybe the adults will listen and learn from their experience as well. 

How to Join the Movement and Limit Your Screentime

We’re told that we need social media to connect and engage. We also need our phones to keep up with e-mails, get directions, stream music and request Uber rides. Some of us may need phones because our employers require it. In this situation, it can feel impossible to eliminate social media and limit screen time.

Here are 3 ways you can get started:

  1. Wean yourself off a little bit at a time. If going cold turkey works best for you, go for it! For most of us, though, smaller steps ensure better results. Start by eliminating screen time 1-2 hours before bed. If you rely on your phone to wake up in the morning, invest in an alarm clock to avoid using your phone early in the day.
  2. Start by deleting 1 social media app. Maybe your job requires you to have access to Facebook. If that’s the case, start by deleting Instagram. If you rely on Instagram to connect with distant relatives, start by deleting TikTok or Facebook. Whatever you do, try not to return to the app. Pushing back against social media requires some commitment. The first few weeks may be difficult, but eventually you’ll replace the habit with something else.
  3. Schedule activities outside of screen time. You should look forward to the things you do in your free time. That way, time spent on your phone will seem boring in comparison. Make a list of things you love and schedule some time for those things. And leave your phone at the door!

Our Staff at Lead4Life, Inc. Can Help

At Lead4Life, we strive to empower every participant in our programs so that they may find their purpose, achieve their goals, and become poised, productive members of their community. We advocate for those in need and assist each and every individual by providing compassionate education and valuable resources like mental health tips so that they can make the very best decisions and develop important life, social, and competency skills. Visit our website or contact us at 240-499-8949 to learn more about pushing back against social media.

How to Boost Your Mental Health in 2023

Most of our New Year’s resolutions include things like eating healthier and incorporating more exercise into our daily routine. However, it’s likely you’ll also want to boost your mental health in 2023. About 50 million Americans experienced mental illness in 2022. The youth mental health crisis also made headlines last year. Alarm bells are ringing everywhere, leaving people with one major question at the start of 2023. What can we actually do to curb mental health struggles on a daily basis?

You’ve probably heard it all before: get plenty of sleep, be active, develop connections with others, journal, meditate. It’s entirely true that taking care of your body is the first step to boosting your mental health. Forming a routine that includes positive habits can also be helpful, and a support system can make all the difference in the world. However, implementing these things is often harder than it seems on paper. Moreover, they may not give you results you’ll see right away. To boost your mental health in 2023, it’s important to pinpoint simple, realistic changes you can make that work for you individually.

What works for one person, be it meditating or taking medication, might be counterintuitive for someone else. Similarly, those in underrepresented communities (neurodivergent individuals, persons with disabilities, LGBTQ-identifying individuals) may not see themselves in oversimplified suggestions. This year, we suggest giving these things a try: 

Change Up the Way You Define Self-Care

The word “self-care” is a popular term, and as such its meaning has been watered down over the years. As well-intentioned as the original concept is, many businesses have latched onto the idea and used it for marketing purposes. Remember that companies aim to sell products, and protecting the consumer’s mental health comes second if it’s prioritized at all. If treating yourself to retail therapy causes feelings of guilt or financial security after the fact, it isn’t long-term self-care.

Self-care is also narrowly associated with a few activities like meditation and yoga. These things certainly work for some, but when you think of self-care, consider what works for you. What helps you re-charge and ease your thoughts? Maybe you like to go to a quiet room and listen to music, work on something creative, have a long talk with a mentor, or take a walk with your dog. Maybe self-care means limiting screentime before bed or reducing habits like procrastination. Whatever you choose, you should feel refreshed or enriched in some way after. So, take notice and ask yourself: what things revive you when you’re feeling anxious or down? Think beyond self-gratifying habits that can leave you feeling hollow in the long run, such as going on a spending spree or drinking alcohol.

Write Yourself a Letter

When you’re having a bad day, it’s easy to forget that negative feelings dissipate in time. While many mental health struggles are a constant battle, every day still presents new opportunities. Maybe you go to bed one night feeling low. It’s raining outside, your partner recently broke up with you, and you’re feeling unsure about your future goals. The next day, the sun is out and you discover that a movie you wanted to see is in theaters. Maybe you witness an act of kindness that inspires you to do something nice for a friend. These things might sound insignificant, but they can alter your perspective.

On good days, write yourself a caring letter that you can open on a bad day. Remind yourself that, chances are, the next day won’t be as bad as the one before. The smallest things can change your mood and put you in a better place: list those things.

Commit to Searching for the Right Therapist

The best way to boost your mental health in 2023 is by taking it seriously. If you already have a supportive therapist, that’s great! Others often wrestle with the idea of finding a therapist. Maybe it’s something you’ve been thinking about for years, but misconceptions about therapy have held you back. Some might not have health insurance, which can make it more difficult (but not impossible) to find care. Perhaps you’ve tried therapy once, but it didn’t work for you and you’re afraid to try again. This year, commit to finding the right therapist and acknowledge that it may take time. Be patient with yourself and take the process one day at a time.

Our Staff at Lead4Life, Inc. Can Help You Boost Your Mental Health in 2023

At Lead4Life, we strive to empower every participant in our programs so that they may find their purpose, achieve their goals, and become poised, productive members of their community. We advocate for those in need and assist each and every individual by providing compassionate education and valuable resources like mental health tips so that they can make the very best decisions and develop important life, social, and competency skills. Visit our website or contact us at 240-499-8949 to boost your mental health in 2023.