Is Social Media Bad For Your Mental Health?

 

Remember how happy you were when someone you liked told you they liked you or something you did? Today, a small blue thumbs-up symbol might elicit the same feel-good response.

It's no surprise that so many individuals are hopelessly addicted to social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and others. "It has been proven that social media 'likes' influence the part of our brain that deals with memory."

"Rewards," says Edgardo Juan Tolentino, MD, Chairman of the Neurological Sciences at Makati Medical Center (MakatiMed), the premier hospital in the Philippines. "The more 'likes' you have, the better." Dopamine, a hormone associated with happiness, is released." 

That's a lot of happy hormones for Filipinos. According to the revised study "Social Media Statistics in the Philippines," which is based on the Digital 2023 Global Overview Report, 84.45 million Filipinos (72.5% of the country's population!) spend an average of 3 hours and 43 minutes devoted to their preferred social media platforms.

According to respondents, the main motivation for using social media is to stay in touch with family and friends. But don't be surprised if they stay for their dopamine dose as well: 30% of total users are between the ages of 18 and 30. When between the ages of 18 and 24, when people desire attention, validation, and a sense of self. It's a difficult era to be alive in, with fake news, cyberbullying, and so on.

"It’s certainly a tough age to be at a time of fake news, cyberbullying, and love scams. “As great as social media is, it’s traced to depression, isolation, ruined reputations, financial debt, and lives lost of vulnerable individuals,” Dr. Tolentino points out.

“There’s nothing wrong about being appreciated through the number of likes, followers, and positive comments on your post. We all seek to be liked by others,” adds the MakatiMed health expert. “Problems arise when you hinge on people’s every opinion of you—and many of them aren’t even true. Few likes and many mean comments tend to make you wonder whether you are indeed likeable.”

Still, social media can benefit your mental health. “Just make sure you spend as much time offline, cultivating genuine relationships with family and friends in person,” Dr. Tolentino advises. “Have a solid sense of self, so that you are not defined by the number of likes or favorable comments. Learn to distinguish authentic, helpful sites over ones that spread false information, put you down, encourage self- doubt, or convince you to harm yourself or others. “Above all, before you want anybody to like you, you have to like yourself first.”

Here are ways social media can be good for you: 

It can introduce you to supportive communities.

You will feel accepted if you join the correct virtual community. It will applaud your achievements, root for you when you're down, and inspire you to make positive and long-term lifestyle changes."

It can be an outlet for creativity. Consider TikTok and Instagram, two extremely visual social media networks, to be your self-expression canvases. "Share your love for art, music, photography, baking, plants, travel, pets, and just about any other passion on these platforms," says Dr. Tolentino. "True friends will not only appreciate what you do, but they will also spread the word about your talent, which could lead to something good."

It can open you up to the world. Social media may connect you with groups that advocate for great causes. "Volunteerism makes you realize that your problems and concerns are minor in comparison to the struggles of others," Dr. Tolentino explains. "It takes you away from social media and puts you in situations where you can make a difference in people's lives." "Being useful to others is more satisfying than any Facebook 'like.'"

Sharing my thoughts as a blogger and influencer for the past 11 years

 

Influencers and bloggers would often capture a photo of their food prior to eating and post on social media

How I started

I started blogging in February of 2010 simply because I missed the “glory of by-line” (I was a contributor writer for a lifestyle and fashion print magazine for almost a decade) and I also used blogging as my venue to express my thoughts. During that time, I had no stable job but I had to work and accept small writing gigs because I was raising my nephew Kyle who was a toddler then. I liked blogging because I can write any topic I want under the sun without having to please an editor. To be perfectly honest about it, I got into blogging without any idea what it was all about. I guess I was just too bored at that time and wanted something which I can use as a form of self-expression.

Thus, I started my blog as a “mommy blog” even if I am not yet a biological mom. It was through my blog that I would write all my journey and adventures as a “single mom” while I make ends meet to raise my beloved nephew.  I was glad to have found support from a community of fellow moms online and eventually I got to meet some of them during events offline. I also started receiving event invitations for exclusive mommy events—and I didn’t mind because I treated Kyle as my real son even if I’m only just his aunt. After all, I took care of him, taught him his ABCs and 123s, and sent him to school—practically anything a mother will do for her child—except for breastfeeding and giving birth. I also received product samples of diapers, milk products, vitamins, toys to review among many others—all the perks and freebies of a typical mom blogger. In my mind, I couldn’t believe people are actually giving me free stuff? All I need to do was to promote them and write about them. So, this is what blogging and being an online influencer was all about!

My blog has evolved over the years

Eventually, my mommy blog has to evolve as Kyle hit his teen years. I remember he talked to me one day and said I should stop blogging about him because he’s been teased by his classmates at school especially after I tagged him on our photos with his sister after seeing Barbie Live. So I figured it was time I convert my blog into a lifestyle blog. After all, I love to eat out, I like cooking, traveling, and just about anything lifestyle-related.

But when I started blogging, I really didn’t have any idea about being an influencer. I was just enjoying all the perks of being a blogger. If you ask me, what is the difference between a blogger and an influencer? Most people tend to think they are the same but they are not. A blogger is anyone who owns a blog site where he or she writes original content and publishes them on his website. An influencer is one who uses social media platforms and has his or her own number of followers who engage in his/her posts. An influencer has an impact on his follower’s buying decisions. Not all bloggers are influencers and vice versa. But you can be both. 

Why we need emojis more than ever

Press Release:

In the era of COVID-19, face-to-face communication is a rarity. As people around the world are distancing themselves from one another to protect ourselves from the pandemic, we’ve found ourselves leaning on technology—from group chats to video calls—to have conversations. While we’ve gotten so used to sending quick messages, we fail to realize how much of our meaning and intent may be falling by the wayside as we exchange words.

Prof. Albert Mehrabian, a pioneer of the understanding of communications since the 1960s, however,  established the importance of non-verbal cues in communicating with each other. His research emphasized that in communicating one’s feelings and attitudes, only 7% of a message comes from the words that are spoken, while the 38% is in the tone and manner of speaking and 55% in facial expression or body language, which telegraphs emotions more precisely than words may be able to.

Why you should think twice about posting photos of your kid online

The internet can provide fantastic tools for sharing special moments from your child’s early years with family and friends. And online parenting forums, networks and blogs often provide valuable support and reassurance through parenting’s ups and downs.

But before you share, you should give thought to exactly who can see photos and comments featuring your child, and how this online footprint might affect your child in years to come.

Most of us share so much of ourselves and our lives online – and parents are no different. With today’s moms and dads being more internet savvy than ever, it’s not surprising to see many posting about their children (even before they’re born) regularly. This predilection, and sometimes, over enthusiasm to share has been referred to as “sharenting.”

The constant documentation of our kids is so prevalent that it’s been normalized – but the thing is, it shouldn’t be. If you’re part of this trend, you should realize that you’re creating a digital footprint for your child way before he or she has any say about it, and that digital identity is going stay whether or not he or she likes it. It’s easy to forget how these can be potentially harmful in the future, what with your overwhelming feelings of pride and joy.

Time for a reality check, here are four ways sharenting online might put your child at risk, and why you should think twice before posting all those baby pics.

Sharing online can invade your child’s privacy. Parents are in effect taking control of their child’s digital identity, without their consent. Those funny bath time snaps and other sensitive photos may impact their future social lives (sure, you think it’s cute now, but that isn’t you in the embarrassing photo), and even employment, and undermine their trust in you. 

Your child’s identity can be stolen. There’s been quite a number of digital kidnapping incidents in recent years. It’s a kind of identity theft that happens when another person takes the photos of a child from social media, creates a new name and identity, and then claims the child as their own.  

Online predators could come after your little one. You need to be extra careful before sharing any kind of information about your child. Online predators are adult users who seek to exploit vulnerable children for sexual or other abusive purposes. They can get your kid’s photos and videos and post them on child pornography websites and other disturbing forums.

You can’t take anything back. Once posted, those photos of your child will always be out there on a server. Even if you do tighten your privacy settings, anything shared online can, with a few indiscreet clicks, become public property.

It’s understandable to want to share about your kids, just be cautious about it and keep in mind the implications it might have on their future. It’s great to find a safe space that guarantees your and, quite importantly, your children’s privacy like Viber. As one of the country’s top communications apps, Viber prioritizes its users’ data privacy to allow everyone to connect and share securely.

Its end-to-end encryption security measure basically means that anything you send becomes coded and stays that way until your intended recipient gets it. No one else—not even Viber—can read any of your messages or see any of your photos and videos.

Viber’s security features give you full control over your data—you can delete messages any time and even add an extra level of privacy through the Secret Chats, which allows users to set a time limit on individual messages and control how long they are visible to the recipient before they disappear.

As Viber helps you connect and build stronger relationships with your loved ones here and around the world, the communications app continues its efforts in securing your privacy and security so you can share freely.

About Rakuten Viber:

At Rakuten Viber, we connect people. No matter who they are, or where they are from. Our global user base has access to a range of features like one-on-one chats, video calls, group messaging, and updates and discussions with their favorite brands and celebrities. We ensure our users have a secure and free environment to share their emotions. 

Facebook joins Asia Digital Marketing Expo 2016

On May 27, 2016 at SMX Convention Center, Taguig, Philippines from 8AM to 6PM, Asia Digital Marketing Expo 2016 #AdMe2016 will happen and this time with Lianne Dehaye who manages the Southeast Asia Small & Medium Business team, focusing on Singapore, Malaysia and the Philippines. She has been with Facebook for three years and is currently leading the Account Management program within Asia-Pacific. She has been working in the online advertising industry for almost 10 years and has in-depth knowledge of search marketing, brand solutions and web analytics.

Topic: “Facebook for Business: Beyond Likes, Comments & Shares”: Founded in 2004, Facebook’s mission is to give people the power to share and make the world more open and connected. People use Facebook to stay connected with friends and family, to discover what’s going on in the world, and to share and express what matters to them. Discover how Facebook’s marketing solutions can help Filipino businesses stay connected with their customers and drive real business results."

Line up of speakers; 

-Lianne Dehaye, Manager, Facebook (Philippines, Malaysia and Singapore)

-Emmanuel Mendoza,  Director for Application Services Global Delivery Philippines & South Pacific, Hewlett Packard Enterprise

-Grace Bondad Nicolas, COO, TAG Media & Public Relations

-Tanya Llana, Sales & Marketing Director, Victoria Court

-Janette Toral- Founder, Digital Filipino Club, Book Author and dubbed as the E- Commerce Guru of the Philippines

-Robert Yupangco, President, Yupangco Group of Companies (Yamaha Music, Zoobic Safari, Manila Express, Misono Restaurant and more)

-Thierry Tea- Managing Director (Philjets Group) & Brand Ambassador (FrenchTech Philippines)

-Ole Oldhoj, CEO (Boolex)

-Lars Jeppessen- Fonder & CEO(Tech One Global)

-Mannix Pabalan- Founder (Hashtag Digital)

-Jojy Azurin, Co Founder (Horsepower PH)

-Spanky Enriquez- TV Host  & Writer (Philippine Star)

-Art Samaniego Jr- Tech Editor (Manila Bulletin)

-Erick Kalugdan- President/CEO (Gimeme Unlimited Inc.)

-Avelino Zapanta- Former CEO (Philippine Airlines and SeaAir)

-Charlie Agatep- Chairman (Grupo Agatep)

-Luuk Rietvelt- Finance Head, Finacore

-Paolo Bediones- Founder, TekDeviant Inc

-Mark Vernon- Founder, Tag Cash 

-Donald Saurombe, Founder (DibZ) 

Reserve your slot now. Limited seats are available as of today. Registration fee is Php 4,000.00 with elegant lunch and snacks. Deposit your fee to TAG Media and Public Relations, BPI Account # 1680 0010 29. For inquiries and registration E: www.asiadigitalmarketing.ph M: 09166299381

 

Presented by TAG Media and Public Relations to promote the ASEAN region as a premier business destination. The conference serves as a hub for networking and spreading of ideas that help top management overseeing enterprises across the Asia Pacific region. Speakers are experts and leaders in their industries and engaged in momentous pursuits of significance to the ASEAN region. Attendees are senior leaders, high-ranking government officials and journalists covering the event.