Mental health: should we stop social networks to get better?

Mental health should we stop social networks to get better

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    Actor Tom Holland has just announced his withdrawal from the networks to preserve his sanity. A habit that is spreading among stars as among many users, to counter permanent and harmful long-term exposure.

    Tom Holland may have more than 67 million subscribers on Instagram, he simply decided in a message to no longer be present on social networks “in order to preserve his sanity”: “I spin when I read things on me online,” confided the 26-year-old actor. And this is not a first in the industry (at the height of its popularity, Selena Gomez, for example, also fled the networks) as in the lives of ordinary users. In France, social networks have nearly 53 million users, or nearly 80% of the population, who spend an average of 1 hour 46 minutes a day “stalking”, i.e. scrolling aimlessly. their various networks looking for information or advice. A habit that does not bring only positive.

    Narcissism and low self-esteem under the eyes

    To read or hear the testimonials that parade, especially since the announcement of the actor, the regular or even omnipresent presence on the networks generates negative behavior on the part of users, which they had not necessarily considered in their own right. registering on the various networks: incessant comparison, low self-esteem, quest for a “like” among fellow human beings, violent comments and loss of time frequently come up among disillusioned and tired Internet users.

    For Dr. Joachim Müllner, psychiatrist, questioned on the subject, the fault lies with this flood of information that our brain is unable to manage. “Social networks are not necessarily bad, but our brain cannot process the amount of information generated incessantly, nor the emotions it engages all day long. In addition, being too active on these networks places us in an expectation of permanent validation from the outside, on which we can quickly become dependent and which can also hurt” he acknowledges.

    Consult a GP online

    When to consider “weaning” or moderation?

    For the psychiatrist, however, it is possible to realize when his behavior is abusive”Like many addictive behaviors, we can talk about abuse when we perceive negative consequences on ourselves or others. When the emotions involved are too painful, for example.” Criticisms perceived as too painful (when they come from strangers), comments or actions that lead to rumination and looping thoughts, can be signs of inappropriate use. And the signal that we must take a step aside, even a real break, to get rid of the tyranny of “likes” once and for all.

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