Social Media

Social media has grown to become something most of us use on a daily basis. It’s fascinating to think about its impact and what life was like without it. I’ve come to find it can truly be a double-edged sword. There are undeniable benefits, like the connection between family and friends from a distance, the reach of educational accounts, and the ability to amplify positive information. Conversely, there are pitfalls to a life that is publicized, and time spent on devices consuming that data.

The algorithmic nature most platforms employ can be problematic, leading to pigeonholed opinions and divisiveness. However, depending on what you follow, it can bring happiness, joy and restoration in humanity (for example, take a look at @upworthy or @globalpositivenews on Instagram). Most hospitals and academic programs have social media accounts as a way to spread information. There are plenty of accounts that aim toward medical education, providing bite size pieces of learning that can be helpful in augmenting traditional methods. I’ve also seen many accounts focused on providing public health information and education to patients. 

Working in a Pediatric Emergency Department, I see impacts of social media every single day on the health & wellbeing of my patients- especially with our current mental health crisis. More people are recognizing the long-term effects of social media on mental health. Just this past month, the US Surgeon General called for social media to have a warning label akin to those affixed to cigarettes given the effects on mental health for teens (NY Times). Check out this 6 minute NPR listen for a summary: NPR.

A JAMA study from 2019 found that teenagers with 3 hours of social media a day have elevated levels of mental health problems – calling for more research, education, and limitations (JAMA). Furthermore, a recent survey on US teens revealed that 51% consumed at least 4 hours of social media a day (Hours). Take a look to see how much time you on social media. Most of our phones can give us a clue into how much screen time and app usage we average each day, and it is almost always eye opening!

If you’re looking for more information on the topic of how social media impacts our jobs and daily lives, check out the Social Media Chapters in the ACEP guidebook, starting on page 155: From Self to System.

How do you find balance with social media?

Sincerely,
Brielle Stanton Skotnicki, MD
ACEP Wellness Section Chair