{"id":6043,"date":"2019-05-16T09:30:12","date_gmt":"2019-05-16T15:30:12","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/pastorbrad.blog\/?p=4445"},"modified":"2025-07-08T18:29:06","modified_gmt":"2025-07-08T23:29:06","slug":"the-internet-and-social-media-friend-or-foe-by-jamie-meyer","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/freshhope.us\/es\/the-internet-and-social-media-friend-or-foe-by-jamie-meyer\/","title":{"rendered":"The Internet and Social Media: Friend or Foe?"},"content":{"rendered":"

By: Jamie Meyer<\/strong><\/em><\/h3>\n

I did it again. \u00a0Checked my email and Facebook notifications before my morning coffee has even finished brewing. \u00a0Before I know it I\u2019m on my Facebook feed to see who has posted since I last checked. Next thing I know, two hours have passed and I haven\u2019t moved from my comfy chair. \u00a0As a person who lives with mental health challenges I have to ask myself: Is this a good thing or bad? The answer I\u2019ve arrived at after much contemplation is this: It all depends on what I use social media and the Internet for, how often, and if I\u2019m able to control my use of it. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

No doubt, there are good things to be found on the Internet such as reputable websites to learn about specific diagnoses and options for treatment. \u00a0Websites I\u2019ve found helpful include Mental Health America, the National Institute of Mental Health and Psych Central. Diagnosis-specific websites are also available such as DBSA for depression and bipolar, and the ADAA for anxiety and depression.<\/span><\/p>\n

You can also find topic-specific forums or message boards online where people can have conversations via posted messages. \u00a0These are useful for mutual support, especially if you\u2019re isolated at home or it\u2019s 3am. Many people benefit from online support groups. \u00a0An online search of \u201cmental health online support groups\u201d will give you several options to check out. Fresh Hope offers both online support groups and mental health forums.<\/span><\/p>\n

Social media such as Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and Snapchat can be both helpful and hurtful. \u00a0While I enjoy keeping up with the lives of family and friends and seeing their pictures, it eats up a big chunk of my day. For many people, being on social media can cause feelings of inadequacy, shame and envy. \u00a0It helps to keep in mind that we tend to compare our insides to other people\u2019s outsides. What some people project on social media is really a mask to make others think their life is full of fun and adventure, when in reality their life lacks meaning or enjoyment.<\/span><\/p>\n

To make social media and the Internet safe, healthy and helpful for those of us with mental health issues, I\u2019ve come up with a few suggestions:<\/span><\/p>\n

    \n
  1. Set a daily allowance for the amount of time you spend online. Use an alarm if necessary.<\/span><\/li>\n
  2. When doing an Internet search, stick to well-known medical or mental health organizations (such as WebMD or NAMI). \u00a0A safe website will have an https:\/\/ before the address. Avoid websites hosted by individuals who are simply looking for an audience for their opinions.<\/span><\/li>\n
  3. It\u2019s ok to not \u201cLike\u201d or comment on everyone\u2019s Facebook post or send birthday wishes to every \u201cfriend.\u201d \u00a0Sending a text, email or card is more personal and meaningful to the receiver.<\/span><\/li>\n
  4. When you post, don\u2019t obsess over the number of \u201cLikes\u201d you receive. \u00a0It sets you up for feeling inadequate.<\/span><\/li>\n
  5. Avoid going online when you\u2019re experiencing a severe episode. \u00a0You\u2019re less likely to think clearly and may end up more depressed or risk the chance of sharing something you\u2019ll regret later.<\/span><\/li>\n
  6. Check in with yourself. \u00a0Am I online to numb out or escape real life? \u00a0Am I using it to avoid responsibilities or get adequate sleep?<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

     <\/p>\n

    If you\u2019re unsure if the Internet and social media has become an obsession, why not try going cold turkey for 24 hours? \u00a0It\u2019s not easy, I know, but it helped me see how much time my computer use cut into each day. And the bonus? It feels pretty darn good to be free.<\/span><\/p>\n

     <\/p>\n

    Fresh Hope es una organizaci\u00f3n sin fines de lucro basada en la fe que permite a las personas vivir bien a pesar de su desaf\u00edo de salud mental.<\/i><\/p>\n

    TU regalo proporcionar\u00e1 a una persona Nueva Esperanza de Dios para la vida diaria.\u00a0<\/i>Haz clic aqu\u00ed para donar, hoy.<\/i><\/a><\/p>\n

    \"unnamed\"<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

    By: Jamie Meyer I did it again. \u00a0Checked my email and Facebook notifications before my morning coffee has even finished brewing. \u00a0Before I know it…<\/p>","protected":false},"author":24,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_mi_skip_tracking":false,"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":false,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-6043","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-hope-and-encouragement"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nFresh Hope for Mental Health - 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