Social media has a plethora of benefits. It can be a beautiful outlet for expanding knowledge, creating, sharing, collaborating and entertainment. However, does the good really outweigh the bad?  

According to an article from washingtonpost.com about phone consumption by teens, it is estimated that teens spend an average of 5-9 hours on their phone a day, sometimes even more. Being on social media for extended periods of time can lead to depression, anxiety, loneliness and several other mental health problems. “Social Media Detoxing,” taking a couple of days or hours off social media, has proven beneficial effects of lessening those harmful outcomes. Some of these benefits include: 

1) Reconnect with the Real World: Some introverts can connect well with others via social media, but in-person human contact is still needed. People who spend a lot of time on social media sites report feeling lonely and isolated in real life. According to Harvard Health Publishing, the consumer health education division of Harvard Medical School, those same individuals are also more likely to suffer from a weakened immune system. For introverts, you can boost your mood by simply going out in public. 

2) Gain a Lot of Free Time: Putting social media on pause can help regain time spent scrolling on social media back into your day. During this time, you can devote your energy to improving your life while also alleviating stress. You can get to experience new hobbies, get back into old ones, or take the time to get more skillful in an area of life. 

3) Breaking the Social Comparison Cycle: Scientists discovered that most people who use social media end up comparing themselves to the lives of everyone they know. It can take a serious punch to your self-esteem. According to Forbes, an American business magazine, social media comparison could even lead to serious depression. Break away from this unhealthy cycle by taking a break from social media to reconnect with yourself and your life. 

4) Stop Feeling Competitive: The main basis of social media networks is to attract attention to posts. Each post’s reaction is a measure of how popular a particular post is, which can make someone strive to outdo others, maybe even yourself. 

5) Living in the Moment: Social media can be a viable way to document your life, but it can also become a burden that takes away living in the present moment. If you are living everything through the lens of social media instead of directly, your life’s experiences will be lower quality and become less memorable.