OUR UNHEALTHY RELATIONSHIP WITH SOCIAL MEDIA. Ever feel like crap after spending a lot of time scrolling through your Instagram/Facebook/TikTok/whatever account? We feel you. We've been there. Let's talk about how social media can negatively impact us if we're already not feeling ok about ourselves, plus positive ways to use social media so that we can feel GOOD.

[2:05] Sharing The Stats On Social Media & Our Mental Health. Want some proof? Don't worry… we've got some stats! We also reflect on what this research is showing us and how we've seen this play out in real life.

• It's a little concerning to see how an unhealthy relationship with social media can affect our mental state - especially teens! [2:38]

• "The less you are connected with human beings in a deep, empathic way, the less you're really getting the benefits of a social interaction," points out Alexandra Hamlet, PsyD [6:40]
• Social media's initial core purpose is to CONNECT with others. [8:10]
• 59% of US teens experienced cyberbullying or online harassment. Guys… WTF? [10:00]
• Dopamine & social media addiction [12:10]

[14:35] The Positive vs Divisive Sides of Social Media. Nina can talk for ages about how divisive social media is, but we both agree there are definitely positives as well.

• There are positive ways to use social media - from growing your business to connecting with friends to finding people who share similar interests.
• BUT… there can also be a dark side to social media. From people spreading hate to dehumanizing others who have a different opinion from them.
• Also, we recorded this in 2020 and Nina predicted that on December 31, 2020 to close out a crazy year, aliens were going to land on Earth. So, guess she was wrong there.

[22:00] Reminders For Your Daily Life <3 Of course, your long-distance besties are here to remind you that you CAN find a way to make yourself feel GOOD via social media.

• Social media is tailored to an individual's "likes" - unfollow people who you don't vibe with and if someone unfollows you, that is ok too.

• Remove people that make you feel like crap. BYE.
• If you really need it, do a social media detox.
• Live your own reality and stop comparing yourself.

We hope the next time you're feeling down because of something you saw on social media you remember this episode! And try to implement the little tips and reminders about social media into your everyday life. They have worked for us, so we hope they can work for you too. As always, we're here to support you on your self-love journey. You know where to reach us, BYNT Family. <3

Books/Articles Mentioned:

• "Does Social Media Cause Depression?" by Caroline Miller at the Child Mind Institute - http://bit.ly/3pKwv5v
• "A Majority of Teens Have Experienced Some Form of Cyberbullying" by Monica Anderson at PewResearchCenter http://pewrsr.ch/2LhZA9o
• Information on Social Media Addiction from the Addiction Center - https://www.addictioncenter.com/drugs/social-media-addiction/

Resources:

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GET YOUR FACE MASK ON GIRL. BYE. (Sorry, Nina. Had to.)

Baklava,

Nat & Nina