'Take a social media detox' - Telford council encourages residents to 'reset lives' during Year of Wellbeing

Telford & Wrekin Council is not advocating getting rid of the apps forever – just enough time for users to assess how much thess apps are dominating their lives.

The council says: “Social media is great and widely used. It allows us to connect with anyone at any time by sharing photos with friends and family. It can be used to fill moments of downtime or while relaxing in front of the TV.

“Social media can positively impact our lives, but it can also negatively affect our wellbeing.”

They say that social media – which includes X, Facebook, Instagram and TikTok can lower self esteem especially if users are chasing likes and it is becoming an obsession.

“As well as regularly posting online, it can become very easy to start obsessing over the likes, views and comments posts receive,” the council said in a message this week.

“Comparing what you post and the amount of likes you receive is natural. Checking the increasing likes and comments can make you feel good and encourages constant checking.

“However, self-esteem can be severely affected when you constantly compare yourself to others, and it becomes a vicious cycle.”

Social media can also disrupt sleep and cause someone to feel anxious and worried, stopping a good night’s rest.

And instead of holding a phone up and and taking photos at an event the advice is to “try to spend time enjoying the moment rather than capturing the perfect photo for social media.”

It adds that people often like to use social media to remember and document the good times.

“This can cause people to obsess about getting the perfect photos that they end up not living in the moment they are in.

“Looking at others posting about what others are doing can also give us a sense of missing out.

“On social media, it is easy to assume that someone else’s life is perfect and that they’re always out having fun, but the reality is that this is not true.”

The council has issued “three simple tips for you to use to make sure you use social media in a healthy way that improves how you feel rather than makes you feel worse.

1. Limit yourself

Many studies show that the more someone uses social media, the more negative they feel. So limit your time to stop yourself from scrolling endlessly and needlessly.

Consider turning off notifications so they can’t tempt you to check in. When with friends and loved ones, make a commitment that you won’t check your phone. This will help you to live in the moment more and reduce time spent on social media.

2. Have a social media clear out

Make sure you only see messages you want to see on social media. The more positive the better.

If you’ve been using social media for a while, then chances are you have unwanted people you follow.

Take some time to organise your feed so that you only see posts that benefit you. If you see something that negatively affects how you feel, take steps to remove it from your feed.

3. Take a social media detox

“Deleting all the social media apps off your phone will help highlight how you are using social media.

“Taking time out will prevent you from clicking on them absentmindedly. Make sure you decide how long your detox will last and stick to it.

“Make sure you fill the time you’d have spent scrolling through social media with another activity you enjoy.

“For example, if you have to wait for a train, ensure you have a book with you or perhaps a crossword puzzle.”

The council has invited residents to sign up for daily tips and advice during Telford and Wrekin’s Year of Wellbeing. They say they will be helping people to improve how they feel.

There is also a council web page giving links to advice on a range of issues including what to do if you are feeling lonely, and even eating and diet.