Being Mindful of Your Online Activities

Article written by: Jia Fletcher

Article designed by: Jia Fletcher & Palak Tiwari

Social media and the constant use of the internet has taken over our lives, and our dependence on our devices has grown to extreme lengths. Hours every day are spent mindlessly scrolling; with one click, we can post and comment whatever we want online. This constant use of the internet is why it’s important to practice mindfulness online, as it’s a big part of our lives.

(Image from PEW Research Center’s 2022 Study)      

Today, it seems like almost everyone has a phone and some sort of social media. Is this freedom good, however? How much time do you spend online every day? Do you think about what you’re commenting and posting online? It’s so important to be aware and cautious of our online activities. Whatever we do online, stays online. It’s easy to disregard this, but a simple post or comment has more impact than you think. Even our screen time has a powerful effect on our health. How can we be mindful online and regulate our internet use?

1. Think before you speak

As simple as this advice sounds, many people seem to ignore it. While comments have become a nice way of communicating with others, they can sometimes spur hatred and judgment. It takes no effort to leave comments on people’s posts, but that doesn’t mean it’s alright to just start typing whatever you want. Really consider what you’re saying–your words can leave a bigger impact on others (and yourself) than you think. Spread kindness, not hatred.

2. Don’t post personal information.

It’s become common to see house tours and other sorts of “get-ready-with-me” videos online. While it’s tempting to post something similar for the thrill of likes and followers, take a second and really see what you’re posting. Is there sensitive information being disclosed in your video? This could be your house, school, or even people you’re around (it’s also important to consider their safety, too). Avoid super specific or personal posts that may reveal information about you online. Social media has led to an increase in stalking online.

• There’s many horrific stalking cases in our modern world caused by unsafe posts (Forbes). 

• “80% of all stalking victims are tracked using technology, while 67% are stalked in person, and some people experience both types of stalking” (SafeHome.org).

• “7.5 million people now experience cyberstalking annually” (SafeHome.org).

“We’re sharing too much of our personal data online, even when we think we’re playing it safe.” - Simon Chandler (Forbes)

You never know who’s seeing what you do online. A few likes aren’t worth the mental stress and danger that comes with unsafe posts. Be safe and be aware.

3. Limit your screen time and overall social media use.

When you’re spending hours upon hours online, it’s easy to become unaware of what you’re actually doing. By actively trying to limit how much time you spend online, you reduce your dependency on the internet. You’ll be less likely to partake in unsafe online behaviors if you’re online less–it’s truly as simple as that. 

(Image from TrueList’s website, information from CBS)

Of course, this is easier said than done–many teens experience FOMO. They feel the urge to know the latest news, but it’s important to set restrictions to avoid an addiction.

(Image from Aol’s website)

Additionally, when you go on social media, your mental health declines. We become directly influenced by what we see online–whether it’s “perfect” influencer lives or hate comments. Excessive use of social media (3+ hours a day) can cause mental health issues in teens (Yale Medicine). As our mental health worsens, we also become likely to spread negative behaviors. We need to make an active effort to be conscious of what we post online; others may feel the same way we do when we compare ourselves to others online. Limiting your screen time use can prevent many issues from occurring.

Practicing mindfulness online is a good way to improve your mental health while also keeping you (and others) safe online. 

Works Cited

Chandler, Simon. “Social Media Is Fostering a Big Rise in Real-World Stalking.” Forbes, Forbes Magazine, 11 Oct. 2019, <www.forbes.com/sites/simonchandler/2019/10/11/social-media-proves-itself-to-be-the-perfect-tool-for-stalkers/.>

Katella, Kathy. “How Social Media Affects Your Teen’s Mental Health: A Parent’s Guide.” Yale Medicine, Yale Medicine, 17 June 2024, <www.yalemedicine.org/news/social-media-teen-mental-health-a-parents-guide#:~:text=According%20to%20a%20research%20study,including%20depression%20and%20anxiety%20symptoms.>

“The Latest Cyberstalking Statistics for 2024.” SafeHome.Org, 1 Oct. 2024, <www.safehome.org/data/cyberstalking-statistics/.>

Levy, Kayla. “Is Social Media Fueling Youth Mental Health Crisis? Here’s What the Data Shows.” Click Here to Refresh, AOL, 20 Mar. 2024, <www.aol.com/social-media-fueling-youth-mental-203000012.html.>

“Social Media Addiction Statistics 2024.” TrueList, 18 Feb. 2024, <truelist.co/blog/social-media-addiction-statistics/.>

Vogels, Emily A. “Teens, Social Media and Technology 2022.” Pew Research Center, Pew Research Center, 10 Aug. 2022, <www.pewresearch.org/internet/2022/08/10/teens-social-media-and-technology-2022/.>