We Can’t Escape Social Media—10 Ways to Use It Wisely

Social media is no longer just an add-on to our lives—it has become deeply woven into the fabric of daily existence. Whether it’s the quick scroll on Instagram before bed, catching up with friends and family on WhatsApp, or streaming a video on YouTube during lunch, these platforms have quietly become our constant companions.

According to Statista, as of 2025, more than 5.3 billion people across the globe are active on social media, spending an average of almost 2.5 hours daily on it. That’s billions of collective hours invested in connecting, working, learning, and being entertained. Escaping it is no longer possible, and the reality is that social media isn’t going away anytime soon.

The real challenge—and opportunity—lies in how we choose to use it: will it enrich our lives, or quietly harm us? To answer that, let’s take a closer look at both sides of the story—and explore how we can use it more mindfully.

2025 Snapshot: Why We’re Not Logging Off

It’s nearly universal. Social media adoption is around three-quarters of internet users globally, with hundreds of millions still joining each year. The average user spends 18–19 hours per week across platforms and uses about 7 apps monthly. (DataReportal – Global Digital Insights)
In the U.S. About 73% of the population has an active social presence. (DataReportal – Global Digital Insights)
Teens & news. In the U.S., 95% of teens use social media and about a third say they are online “almost constantly.” Many adults also report getting at least some of their news from these platforms. (HHS.gov, Pew Research)

The Bright Side of Social Media

When used wisely, social media can be a real force for good. It helps people stay connected across distances, supports local communities, and creates opportunities for small businesses to reach global audiences. It also allows individuals to share knowledge, art, and culture instantly—giving a voice to those who might otherwise go unheard.

It’s also a powerful tool for education and civic engagement. From peer learning to raising awareness on climate change or social justice, social media fuels conversations that cross borders. According to Pew Research Center, nearly 70% of adults believe these platforms help them stay better connected to their loved ones.

On mental health, nuance matters. The American Psychological Association (APA) notes that social media can support belonging, encouragement, and support networks—but can also trigger comparison, anxiety, and stress depending largely on how it’s used. In short: it’s less about the platforms themselves and more about our relationship with them.

The Dark Side We Can’t Ignore

As much as social media connects and empowers, it carries very real risks. The U.S. Surgeon General has warned of “profound risk” for young people, especially related to sleep disruption, body image pressures, and unhealthy cycles of comparison.

Passive vs. active use. Research suggests that passive scrolling—just consuming content—has stronger negative effects on mental well-being than active engagement like messaging or joining purposeful groups.
Doomscrolling & addiction. Infinite feeds, autoplay, and algorithm-driven recommendations are designed to keep us hooked, often fueling stress instead of relaxation.
Harmful content. Despite strict policies, platforms still struggle to remove inappropriate or dangerous material. Billions of posts are flagged and removed every year, yet exposure—especially among youth—remains a serious issue.

Governments are starting to step in. For example, the EU’s Digital Services Act (DSA) requires big platforms to publish transparency reports, reduce risks to users, and undergo independent audits. Similar debates are taking place worldwide, as societies grapple with making digital spaces safer without restricting free expression.

Can We Use It Better? 10 Practical Habits That Make a Difference

If we can’t escape social media, the next best step is to shape how we use it. Research shows that the difference between benefit and harm often comes down to how we engage. Here are 10 actionable habits that actually make social media work for you instead of against you:

Be active, not just a spectator.
Endless scrolling might feel relaxing, but it usually leaves us drained. Instead of just watching your friend’s vacation reel, leave a thoughtful comment or send a quick message—it deepens connection and turns your feed into conversation, not just a highlight reel.
Curate your space with intention.
Your feed reflects your choices. If celebrity accounts trigger anxiety or comparison, unfollow them and follow educators, travel bloggers, or motivational creators. One reader swapped gossip pages for nature photography accounts—and described her feed as “a daily breath of fresh air.”
Retrain the algorithm.
Algorithms adapt quickly. Hit “Not Interested” or “Don’t Recommend” on content you don’t like for a week, and your feed will start shifting. A friend of mine did this on Instagram—her feed now shows gardening hacks instead of celebrity gossip.
Protect your mental space.
If “luxury haul” or “body goals” posts trigger you, mute those keywords. Instagram even allows hiding like counts—many creators say this helped them post more freely without obsessing over numbers.
Set healthy boundaries.
Move social apps off your main home screen and set “check-in windows.” One colleague replaced bedtime scrolling with a 10-minute podcast and noticed better sleep within weeks.
Fact-check before sharing.
Pause before forwarding that shocking WhatsApp story. Sites like Reuters Fact Check or Snopes can help verify. I once stopped myself from sharing a viral health hack that turned out to be fake—proof that a 30-second pause matters.
Use built-in safety tools.
Restricted Mode on YouTube, “Hidden Words” on Instagram, and comment filters on TikTok help block harmful or offensive content. A teacher I know blocks toxic accounts regularly—she says her feed now feels like “her living room, not a noisy street.”
Share your craft, not clickbait.
Post what reflects your skills—art, recipes, music, writing—rather than chasing viral trends. For example, one home cook I know began sharing quick, everyday recipes from her own kitchen instead of trying to follow every trend. Within months, she had built a loyal community of people who appreciated her authenticity and practical ideas. Talent and real value build lasting connections—unlike shock value, which fades fast.
Take regular digital pauses.
Batch content, schedule posts, then log off. One creator I know practices “No Social Sundays”—spending the day reading or hiking. She says these pauses recharge her creativity.
Audit your feed often.
Once a month, review who you follow. Ask: does this account inspire me, or drain me? One friend unfollowed 100+ influencers she didn’t care about and kept only five favorites. The difference was instant.

Raising the Standard Together

What counts as “vulgar” may differ by person, but most platforms explicitly ban nudity and obscene content. Still, what shows up in your feed depends largely on your actions. By muting, reporting, and marking content as “Not Interested,” you not only clean your own feed—you influence what spreads across the platform.

But beyond tools and filters, the responsibility is ours. As viewers, we can stop fueling vulgar or harmful content with clicks and likes. As creators, we can choose to post content that reflects our talents, values, and creativity.

Think about it this way: one day, your children—or someone else’s—may see your posts. What will it teach them? Technology gives us the chance to share our skills, stories, and perspectives with the world. Let’s use that chance to uplift, inspire, and build something meaningful—without leaning on shock value. Useful, authentic, and creative content not only travels further but builds a legacy you’ll be proud of years from now.

Final Thoughts

We can’t escape social media—it’s here to stay. But that doesn’t have to be a bad thing. By curating what we consume, engaging with purpose, protecting our mental health, and posting content we’re proud of, we can shape healthier online spaces.

If enough of us make these mindful choices, our feeds can become places of creativity, kindness, and growth—one follow, one post, one report at a time. The responsibility, and the opportunity, is in our hands.

With warmth and presence

The Artful Voyage