5.3 hours. That’s the average amount of time that a teenage girl (age 13-19) spends on social media in one day. Multiply that by 365, and that’s 1,935 hours a year spent scrolling, liking, and comparing ourselves to other people.

What’s the big deal? Approximately 60% of the world’s population (that’s about 4 billion people!) has a social media account. Because of this, universally used apps like WhatsApp and Instagram work as great platforms to stay in touch with friends and family, especially if they live far away. Social media is also a great way to spread and share positive habits, like healthy meal ideas and everyday exercise routines. In fact, social media can be very inspirational and influential. There is a place for (almost) everyone. If you’re into playing video games, there are videos for you. If you want to learn TikTok dances, there are plenty of influencers to watch. And for anyone who has a small business, a well curated social media account can boost your brand big time. 

Another pro about social media is that it’s entertaining! Memes have quickly spread across the internet thanks to the ability to repost, retweet, or screenshot stories. 

“I love the community that the internet brings through meme culture and celebrity culture,” senior Olivia (Liv) Prieto said. “I love the fact that I can easily connect with my friends and send them funny and ridiculous videos I find on TikTok.”

Both news and opinions are able to reach audiences halfway across the globe because of social media and have helped people become more aware of what’s going on in their own communities. But on an even smaller scale, social media can be a fun aspect of our lives. Tuning into a hilarious video before bed can improve our mood and give us a better attitude towards life. 

The top four apps of 2023 were actually all social media: Instagram first, then TikTok, followed by Facebook and WhatsApp. For Gen-Z, it’s actually hard to imagine a life without these apps. Many of us were introduced to social media when we were just beginning middle school, and it’s become so entwined with our personal lives that it almost seems impossible to disconnect from. But why would anyone want to in the first place?

After the release of the 2020 Netflix Documentary The Social Dilemma, people around the world started to realize the toll that social media was taking on their lives. It’s not a surprise though. Using social media comes with its consequences; a user will inevitably not like a post or follow someone back, and this can actually cause depressive symptoms. 

Since its establishment in the early 2000s, it’s safe to say that social media has carved itself into a corner of all of our lives. We wake up to snaps “on delivered”, “like” notifications from Instagram, or FYP updates from TikTok. It’s the first thing on our minds as the school bell rings at 2:30. Did he open my snap? Did she like my story? It’s (sadly) an obsession that we have been left to deal with without any guidance from previous generations. 

“FOMO”, aka Fear of Missing Out, is a common symptom of social media “doomscrolling”, and is most common in teenagers when school is out. Seeing a picture of a group of friends at the beach, for example, can send a wave of mixed emotions: maybe you wish that you were there instead of stuck inside with your annoying siblings. You love your friends and are happy that they are making all of these memories, but you could also be a little jealous. 

A study published in the National Library of Medicine in June 2023 reported that social media use resulted in higher depression symptoms for females more than males. That doesn’t come to a surprise, considering that the majority of users are girls. It’s been studied that girls are at a higher risk at developing eating disorders, suicidal thoughts, and anxiety because of a high usage of social media. Unrealistic body comparison and setting unattainable goals can also come as a result of spending hours on Instagram or TikTok. 

“When I downloaded [TikTok] freshman year, I became super addicted to it,” senior Sylvia Osorio said. “When I’m doing homework or get bored I just start scrolling… it’s almost like a black hole.”

But there are still those who may not want to quit. In fact, some people’s jobs rely on social media. Influencing and vlogging have become lucrative careers and side jobs, with an average Instagram influencer bringing in about $45k a year. Also, lots of users enjoy posting pictures of trips, day-to-day footage, and funny videos. It’s a chance for people to let go and channel their creativity. Without apps like Instagram or Snapchat, it’s also common to feel disconnected from school and other people your age. Since group chats are oftentimes created on social media apps, going without it may make it more difficult for people to remain “in the loop”. Similarly, without TikTok, one won’t know about the latest trends or songs that are going viral. 

“I’ve deleted Snapchat because I wasn’t using it anymore,” Prieto said. “It can be slightly annoying when people try to reach me or create class group chats through Snapchat, but it’s a permanent choice that I don’t plan on changing.”

However, there is our mental health to consider. Using a more psychological approach, one could say that humans are instinctively drawn to social media; gaining followers, likes, and comments fulfills a need within us and releases dopamine. But if we post online and this need remains empty, it can worsen our view of ourselves. 

So, the next question that comes to mind is: is it even possible to stop? It seems insane to quit social media completely and go cold turkey. But some students have done just that. 

Here are some ways that you can start you detox from social media:

1. Turn off notifications! This is one of the most important things to do when starting your detox. Not getting reminders about which video to watch or which celebrity just made a post can help you focus on where you are and live in the moment.
2. Start setting time limits. One of the best ways to take time away from your social media apps is to enable time limits, both from the app directly and through your settings. On Instagram, you can actually set reminders so that it will notify you every 15 minutes that you spend on the app.
3. Remove the app from your Home Screen. There’s nothing more tempting than opening your phone to see Snapchat just sitting on your Home Screen. To completely avoid social media, I recommend removing the app from your Home Screen completely so that you don’t think about it at all. If you’re feeling even more rebellious, don’t be afraid to delete the app altogether!
4. Talk about how you feel. Aside from fiddling with the settings on your phone, telling yourself to pause on social media can help reduce anxiety and depression. This can include anything from writing down your thoughts and feelings in a journal to talking it out with a friend or someone you trust. 

These are just a few tips to reduce your social media intake and start your detox, but there are also some things to avoid. One big mistake that people make is trying to fill up a lot of their newfound time not spent on social media by doing productive things. While this may not be a bad idea, it can actually be detrimental in the long run. If you set the bar too high, you’ll end up not completing the tasks and feel more inclined to go back on social media. 

Instead, try to balance your time by trying new hobbies or doing other things with friends and family. Enjoy where you live by visiting a local park or someplace new for a change of scenery. Taking time away from a screen in general can reduce migraines, improve your mood, enhance your performance on daily tasks, and even boost your grades. Even if it’s not a drastic change, slowly letting go of social media can improve your way of being and philosophy towards life. 

But ultimately, it’s up to you.

“I think that people should detox from social media,” Osorio said. “I found that the more I used social media, the more I started to compare myself with people I see. Not only that, but I see [content] that’s either not true or just hateful, and I think taking a break can really help people like myself who are struggling with this.”