Screwdriver Versus Instagram: Social Media as a Tool

By: Dhisha Kukalakuntla, YLC Member, Founder of Positivity101.org

When it comes to topics like social media, there are always arguments for and against its use. Those who are for social media (usually the prime social media users) point out that social media increases overall connection, creates online safe spaces, helps spread awareness, and allows people to gain recognition. However, this comes with the price that it fosters unhealthy comparisons, bleeds into real life, creates breeding grounds for addiction, and makes face-to-face interaction difficult.

In order to maximize the benefits of social media and minimize its destructive qualities, we must first recognize that social media is nothing but a tool.

A tool is a device that helps carry out a particular function. By recognizing social media as a tool, we are recognizing that social media is an asset to achieve something. Whether it is greater social interaction, increased audience, or increased support, social media should be used as a tool for those specific purposes.

How do we use social media as a tool? First, we have to understand our purpose for using social media. Is it to interact with friends? Is it to gain an audience? Is it to find an online space where you feel safe to express yourself? Whatever the reason may be, the first and most crucial step is to understand why.

From there, we have to introspect. Are we achieving our purpose whenever we use social media? More importantly, are we using social media for anything else? Is that also a part of our goal? Is it distracting or disrupting something that is more important in my life (i.e. family time, self-care, exercise, homework, etc)? This is going to be the most challenging but also the most pivotal part of the journey to mindful social media use.

Next, it is time to act upon our introspection. If we find that we’re not using social media as only a tool, we have to find ways to limit ourselves and practice mindfulness. One of the best ways to do this is by using timers and features like ScreenTime to set limits on ourselves. Another important thing to do is to focus on the present. Live in the here and now. Enjoy what’s in front of you, the moment that it’s in front of you, rather than trying to capture it and share it with others.

Dhisha Kukalakuntla

Liaison to Positivity 101

Advocate for positivity and mindfulness. Her experiences with teen mental health issues led her to create Positivity 101, an initiative to normalize and prioritize mindfulness among the youth.
Read more about Dhisha.

All in all, social media should be something to help us enhance our living, not something to deteriorate it. By acknowledging that social media is a tool that should be used mindfully, we’re setting ourselves up for a healthy relationship with social media in the long run.