Building Self-Esteem in a Social Media World

There is a link between self-esteem and social media. Studies have shown that rates of depression and suicidal thoughts have increased over the last several years, especially in teenagers. The teen years are a time when a child’s self-esteem is growing, and social media influences can destroy what confidence they have gained.

However, building self-esteem is important not only during adolescence but also throughout adulthood. For example, a woman who has recently given birth may find herself comparing her body to the fitness models and influencers on social media, leading her to feel depressed. Men who struggle to balance family and work may see the highlights of their friends and become resentful, jealous, angry, or depressed.

But not all is lost. You can still manage a social media presence without sacrificing your self-esteem.

Building self-esteem: How to protect your progress

Building self-esteem and protecting your progress is imperative to maintaining mental health. Social media is a tool. However, most people spend so much time scrolling through and admiring the highlights of others’ lives that it becomes easy to spiral downward.

The following are tips for building and protecting your self-esteem while staying up to date on your socials.

Limit social media time.

You do not have to avoid social media entirely. Check your settings on your phone or in the app and note how much time you average on the platform daily, weekly, and monthly. Next, aim to limit your social media time. Maybe save your social media scrolling and notifications while you wait for dinner to finish cooking. Assign a specific time to return messages; do not feel obligated to answer people immediately. Limit your accessibility for peace of mind.

Know why you want a social media account.

What is the reason you want a social media account? Is it to follow your favorite celebrities, get inspiration, or keep in touch with friends and classmates worldwide? When you have a clear reason why you want to keep your profile, it makes it easier to stay away from activities that will steal your time.

Choose one or two platforms.

Do not try to stretch yourself thin by managing multiple social media platforms. Decide your reason for having a profile and choose a platform based on your goals. For example, if you want to keep tabs on classmates and former coworkers, maybe choose Facebook. If you need inspiration for remodeling your home, perhaps select Instagram.

Encourage others.

If you feel yourself starting to spiral after scrolling through social media, take note of what you are doing. Are you simply liking posts, or are you encouraging others? Some of your friends could probably use a pick-me-up from you. The more you lift others, the more accomplished you will feel.

Follow inspiring accounts.

Be discerning about the social media accounts you follow and see in your Newsfeed. The Bible says to focus on “whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable – if anything is excellent or praiseworthy – think about such things. (Philippians 4:8, NIV) Do those accounts measure up to Biblical standards? If not, think about finding some new inspiring profiles.

Need help?

Do you need help building self-esteem? Do you feel unworthy of love and acceptance? Do you dislike yourself? Is your relationship with social media detrimental to your mental health? Often, these emotions stem from negative beliefs rooted deeply in the mind. Contact our office today to schedule an appointment with a counselor who can help you reframe those beliefs.

Building self-esteem and confidence starts with asking for help. Let us help you through the rest of the journey.