Pruning some “friends” and adding a few motivational or funny sites is likely to decrease the negative effects of social media.<ul><li>Information about the lives of Facebook friends affects people more negatively than other content on Facebook. </li><li>People whose social media included inspirational stories experienced gratitude, vitality, and awe.</li></ul>

Prune

When used thoughtfully and deliberately, social media can be a useful addition to your social life, but only a flesh-and-blood person sitting across from you can fulfill the basic human need for connection and belonging.Using Facebook to keep abreast of your cousin’s life as a new mother is fine, as long as you don’t neglect to visit as months pass by.

Don't replace real life with social media

Experiment with using your favorite online platforms at different times of day and for varying lengths of time, to see how you feel during and after each session. You may find that a few short spurts help you feel better than spending 45 minutes exhaustively scrolling through a site’s feed.

Pay attention to how you use social media

Do you notice that you get a craving to look at Instagram whenever you’re confronted with a difficult task at work? Be brave and brutally honest with yourself. Each time you reach for your phone (or computer) to check social media, answer the hard question: Why am I doing this now?

Approach social media mindfully

Even a five-day or weeklong break from Facebook can lead to lower stress and higher life satisfaction. Publicly declare you are on a break. And delete the apps for your favorite social media services.You can also cut back without going cold turkey: limit your use of social media to 10 minutes a day for three weeks and you'll see improvements in your mental health.

Have “detox” periods

Commit to not checking social media during meals with family and friends, and when playing with children or talking with a partner. Make sure social media doesn’t interfere with work, distracting you from demanding projects and conversations with colleagues. In particular, don’t keep your phone or computer in the bedroom–it disrupts your sleep.

Limit your use of social media

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More than one-third of American adults view social media as harmful to their mental health, according to a new survey from the American Psychiatric Association. Just 5% view social media as being positive for their mental health, the survey found. Another 45% say it has both positive and negative effects.

Pay attention to how you use social media

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Pay attention to how you feel

Experiment with using your favorite online platforms at different times of day and for varying lengths of time, to see how you feel during and after each session.

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