Sometimes it can feel impossible to avoid seeing things on social media that you really didn’t want to see, especially when graphic videos, like the fatal shooting of Charlie Kirk, go viral. The thing is, social media platforms are created to maximize engagement, they’re not trying to protect your peace of mind. But there are steps you can take to protect yourself.
Annie Margaret is a University of Colorado Boulder researcher who studies ways to counteract the negative effects of social media on mental health and well-being. She reminds us that we don’t have to watch every bit of content that crosses our screens. “Protecting your own mental state is not avoidance or denial,” she explains. “I believe it’s a way of safeguarding the bandwidth you need to stay engaged, compassionate and effective.”
Research reveals that watching violent or disturbing media can increase stress and anxiety, and make us feel helpless. Everything that shows up in your feed doesn’t deserve your attention and these are the steps Margaret recommends to limit and filter what shows up in your social media feeds
- Turn off autoplay or limit sensitive content - These settings are different depending on device, operating system and app version.
- Use keyword filters - Most platforms let you mute or block specific words, phrases or hashtags, which helps reduce the chance you’ll see something graphic or violent.
- Curate your feed - Unfollow accounts that share disturbing content and follow those that offer knowledge, connection or joy.
- Set boundaries - Social media algorithms are engineered to hold your attention and the urge to follow along in real time can be strong. But you can protect yourself by taking intentional breaks and creating phone-free time, like during meals or before bed.⠀
Source: CNN⠀