Introduction

Back in 2003, whilst I was a teenager, I found myself rebelling against the idea of owning a mobile phone. Something about it just didn’t sit right with me. I think that I sensed a future where increased social connections would lead to each one feeling less meaningful. Or maybe it was simply the reluctance to be available 24/7. I cherished the ritual of asking my parents to use the house phone, ensuring no one was online, and then calling a friend’s landline. These conversations felt significant, and the next one wouldn’t happen for at least a day, which gave a sense of anticipation and value.

Eventually, at 16, I gave in to the lure of the mobile phone. The deciding factor? The chance to talk more easily with a particular girl from school. The power of teenage crushes proved to be the chink in my armour!

A similar story unfolded with Facebook. Once again, I resisted joining, predicting a future filled with an ever-growing number of increasingly shallow relationships. While my friends raved about it and the media hailed its significance, I held my ground for over a year. But this time, it wasn’t my own willpower that gave way, it was the university I attended. They mandated Facebook as the primary communication tool for our design group project, and so, in around 2009, I reluctantly complied.

Thus began eight years of being on Facebook and of observation and self-analysis regarding the effects of digital social tools. During this time, I fell victim to the phenomenon known as FOMO (the Fear of Missing Out). I watched as meaningful friendships faded into the background, sustained only by superficial chats like:

“Hey. How are you?",
“Not bad, you?”,
“Same, hanging from last night…”,
“Yeah, I was out till 5 AM!”,
“Lol, crazy. Gotta go, chat soon.”,
“Safe xx”

These empty exchanges seemed to scratch the social itch just enough until the next pointless conversation. I also noticed people leading lives online that seemed entirely different from the personalities I thought I knew. Trends emerged and vanished on social media, all while I kept a close eye on myself, observing how these digital tools affected my mind, mood, friendships, and family relationships. Ultimately, after 8 long years, I decided to quit Facebook. It took two attempts to break free.

This post shares the research I’ve gathered and the experiences I’ve had, which ultimately led me to start developing an app aimed at rebuilding meaningful relationships (More on this another time). I hope it offers some insight into the impact of this area of digitization on society, from my personal perspective.

Part 1 -

Isolation vs. Hyperconnectivity

In an age where social media promises to keep us more connected than ever, an ironic and troubling trend has emerged: the paradox of hyperconnectivity leading to increased feelings of isolation. This paradox is one of the most significant societal shifts linked to the rise of digital communication, fundamentally altering how we interact with each other and experience relationships.

The Paradox of Hyperconnectivity

At first glance, social media offers unparalleled opportunities for connection. With a few taps on a screen, we can reach out to friends, family, colleagues, and even strangers across the globe. We can instantaneously share our thoughts, experiences, and achievements with a vast audience, which in many ways appears to build a sense of belonging and inclusion. However, the very nature of these interactions often lacks the depth and intimacy required to nurture meaningful relationships.

Research has shown that while people may have hundreds, or even thousands, of friends and followers on social media platforms, these connections are typically shallow, focusing on surface-level interactions such as likes, comments, and shares. This form of engagement can create a false sense of social fulfillment, where the quantity of interactions is mistaken for quality. As a result, individuals may find themselves surrounded by digital noise yet feeling profoundly alone.

Urbanization and Individualism

The trend towards urbanization and individualism has further compounded the issue. In many modern societies, especially in urban areas, people are increasingly living alone or in smaller family units, often far from extended family or lifelong friends. While social media offers a way to bridge these physical distances, it also reinforces a lifestyle centered on individualism rather than community.

The convenience of digital communication can diminish the perceived need for face-to-face interactions, weakening the social bonds that traditionally provided emotional support and a sense of community. This shift away from community-oriented living has significant implications for our well-being, as humans are inherently social creatures who thrive on meaningful, personal connections.

The Blurring of Work-Life Boundaries

Another aspect of this broader societal trend is the blurring of boundaries between work and personal life, largely driven by the pervasive use of social media and digital communication tools. In the past, there were clear delineations between work time and personal time, with specific spaces dedicated to each. However, the advent of social media has made it increasingly difficult to disconnect from work-related interactions, even during personal time.

This constant connectivity can strain relationships as individuals find it harder to be fully present with loved ones. The pressure to respond to work messages, emails, or social media notifications can intrude on family dinners, social gatherings, and even moments of solitude, leading to a diminished quality of personal interactions. Over time, this can erode the emotional closeness and support that are crucial for maintaining strong relationships.

The Illusion of Community

Social media platforms often market themselves as fostering community and connection, but the reality is more complex. While online communities can provide valuable support and a sense of belonging, they often lack the depth and stability of real-world communities. Online interactions are frequently transient and transactional, centered around shared interests or fleeting trends rather than long-term, meaningful engagement.

On top of this, the algorithms that drive social media platforms tend to amplify content that generates the most engagement, which is often sensational, polarizing, or emotionally charged posts, rather than promoting thoughtful, constructive dialogue. This can lead to echo chambers, where individuals are exposed only to views that reinforce their own, further isolating them from broader societal discourse and reducing the opportunity for genuine understanding and connection.

Part 2 -

The Dunbar Number

It makes sense that there’s a limit to the number of meaningful relationships we can maintain. Our brains simply can’t keep pace with the rapid expansion of technology. We can’t hold thousands of mutually affectionate relationships in our minds simultaneously, just as we can’t memorize everything in Wikipedia. This limit, suggested by Dunbar, is around 150 relationships, including family, friends, colleagues, and others. Among these, only about five are likely to be very strong connections, such as those with immediate family, a partner, or a closest friend. The BBC has a great article exploring the Dunbar number and its relevance in the age of social media.

Personally, I’ve found it challenging to maintain strong relationships with many people. The few close connections I do have are with those geographically near me and thus nurtured through real meetings and genuine conversations.

The Dunbar Number and Its Implications for Social Media Relationships

The Dunbar Number is a theoretical cognitive limit to the number of people with whom one can maintain stable, meaningful relationships. This concept, proposed by British anthropologist Robin Dunbar in the 1990s, suggests that the human brain can only comfortably manage about 150 relationships at any given time. Beyond this number, the quality and depth of connections begin to diminish, as our cognitive capacity to maintain these relationships is exceeded.

Dunbar arrived at this figure by studying the social behavior of primates and extrapolating it to humans. He observed that primates live in social groups, and the size of these groups is correlated with the size of the neocortex, the part of the brain responsible for conscious thought and language. Applying this to humans, Dunbar suggested that the average person’s social network, in which they can maintain active, meaningful relationships, is limited to around 150 people.

These 150 relationships include a range of social ties, from close family and friends to acquaintances and colleagues. Within this broader network, Dunbar also identified sub-groups:

  • 5 people in your closest circle: This includes intimate relationships, such as a partner, best friend, or immediate family members.
  • 15 good friends: These are people you have regular contact with and whom you trust and confide in.
  • 50 close friends: Individuals you would invite to a personal event, such as a party or a gathering.
  • 150 meaningful contacts: The wider circle that includes people you know well enough to engage in social interactions but with whom you may not share deep bonds. Beyond this, Dunbar theorized that there are outer circles that encompass up to 500 acquaintances and up to 1,500 people whose names and faces you can recognize, but with whom you don’t maintain regular contact.

Social Media and the Dunbar Number

Social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn often encourage users to expand their networks far beyond Dunbar’s proposed limit. It’s not uncommon for individuals to have thousands of “friends” or connections on these platforms, leading to the paradox where one is seemingly more connected than ever, yet may feel more isolated and disconnected in reality.

The nature of social media allows users to maintain a larger number of weak ties: connections that do not require the time and emotional investment of close relationships. While these weak ties can be beneficial in certain contexts, such as networking or gathering diverse perspectives, they often come at the expense of deep, meaningful connections. The cognitive effort required to maintain large numbers of shallow connections can detract from the time and energy available for nurturing closer relationships.

The Impact on Relationship Quality

Maintaining relationships beyond the Dunbar Number on social media often leads to what can be described as “friendship inflation,” where the term “friend” is used to describe a much broader range of social connections than it traditionally would. This dilution of the concept of friendship can weaken the perceived value of close, intimate relationships. When we stretch our cognitive and emotional resources across too many connections, the depth and quality of these relationships suffer.

For example, while social media allows for the quick exchange of messages, likes, and comments, these interactions often lack the depth and emotional resonance of face-to-face communication. The more time spent managing a broad network of acquaintances, the less time is available to invest in the relationships that matter most.

The Psychological and Social Implications

Exceeding the Dunbar Number in one’s social network can also lead to cognitive and emotional overload. The constant flow of information about the lives of hundreds or thousands of people can be overwhelming, leading to stress, anxiety, and a diminished ability to focus on personal goals and relationships. This cognitive overload can result in individuals feeling spread too thin, unable to maintain the level of engagement and emotional support that close relationships require.

The pressure to maintain a large number of connections can contribute to feelings of inadequacy and social comparison. When surrounded by a vast network of seemingly successful and happy individuals, it’s easy to feel like one is falling short, even though these perceptions are often based on carefully curated social media profiles rather than reality.

Part 3 -

Addiction and the Fear of Missing Out

It wasn’t until much later after joining Facebook that I recognized the grip of the Fear of Missing Out (FOMO). Facebook was undeniably addictive for me, and now it’s widely acknowledged as such. Some studies even suggest social media may be more addictive than cigarettes. This addiction is driven by the chemical release triggered by notifications, which tap into our innate desire to feel popular and in the know. The most insidious part of this notification-reward loop is that it often feeds on irrelevant content, leading to an addiction to things that don’t truly matter to us.

I became adept at “playing” Facebook: keeping my posts active, sharing links and content that I knew would get likes and respect from my online friends. This cycle of digital validation builds and builds, much like how gamification can boost productivity. The problem is that this digital persona often becomes more significant than our real selves and well-being.

FOMO can have serious consequences. It can distract us, dangerously at times such as when driving, and it can strain our real-life relationships. I found myself feeling anxious and agitated if I had been away from Facebook for too long, compulsively scrolling through my feed to see what I had missed. Seeing events unfold without me in real-time updates only made it worse. I would often sacrifice being present in the moment to dwell on where I wasn’t, leading to a cycle of discontent.

For more insights, you can download the Royal Society for Public Health’s report on young mental health and social media here.

I mentioned the fact it took two attempts to get off Facebook, really it can only be described as a relapse. After several months off Facebook having deleted my account, the desire to know what people were doing on the platform overtook my rational thinking telling me that it really didn’t matter and I made a new account. After spending some time (probably a few weeks/months) re-adding friends and searching up old relationships to “Facebook stalk” them, fortunately the rational part of my brain confirmed to my FOMO addicted part of the brain it was right, and I deleted the account again.

This form of behavioral addiction, much like other types of addiction, involves a compulsive need to use social media despite negative consequences on one’s personal, professional, and social well-being. Understanding the science behind social media addiction, particularly how it intersects with the Fear of Missing Out (FOMO), sheds light on why these platforms are so compelling and how they can impact mental health.

The Neuroscience of Social Media Addiction

At the core of social media addiction is the brain’s reward system, particularly the release of dopamine, a neurotransmitter associated with pleasure, reward, and reinforcement of behaviors. When we engage in activities that our brain perceives as rewarding, such as eating, exercising, or socializing, dopamine is released, reinforcing the behavior and encouraging us to repeat it.

Social media platforms are designed to trigger these dopamine releases through various features:

  • Likes, Comments, and Shares: When a user receives positive feedback on a post, such as likes, comments, or shares, their brain releases dopamine, creating a feeling of pleasure and satisfaction. This reinforces the behavior, encouraging the user to post more content in the hopes of receiving similar rewards.
  • Notifications: Notifications act as intermittent reinforcements, a concept rooted in behavioral psychology, where rewards are given unpredictably. This unpredictability makes notifications particularly addictive, as users constantly check their phones in anticipation of the next dopamine hit.
  • Scrolling and Endless Feeds: The design of infinite scroll and endless feeds on platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter taps into the brain’s natural curiosity. The constant possibility of discovering something new and interesting keeps users engaged for longer periods, similar to how slot machines work in casinos.

Over time, the brain becomes conditioned to seek out these dopamine hits, leading to compulsive social media use. This conditioning is exacerbated by the design of social media platforms, which are optimized to maximize user engagement through personalized content, notifications, and social feedback loops.

Psychological Mechanisms and Behavioral Conditioning

Beyond the biological aspects, social media addiction is also fueled by psychological mechanisms, particularly those related to social validation, self-esteem, and social comparison. Many people use social media as a tool for self-presentation, carefully curating their online personas to receive validation from others. This need for validation can become compulsive, as individuals continually seek out social approval to boost their self-esteem.

This behavior is reinforced through a process known as operant conditioning, where behaviors are shaped by the rewards or punishments that follow them. Positive feedback (such as likes or comments) acts as a reward, reinforcing the behavior and making it more likely that the individual will continue to seek out similar experiences. Over time, this can create a cycle where the user feels compelled to engage with social media even when it negatively impacts other areas of their life.

The Role of FOMO in Social Media Addiction

FOMO refers to the anxiety or apprehension that one might be missing out on rewarding experiences or social interactions that others are having. FOMO is driven by several cognitive biases and emotional factors:

  • Social Comparison: Humans have an inherent tendency to compare themselves to others as a way of evaluating their own status, achievements, and happiness. Social media amplifies this tendency by presenting an endless stream of curated content, often portraying others in an idealized light. This can lead to feelings of inadequacy, envy, and anxiety, as users perceive themselves to be less successful or less happy than their peers.
  • Scarcity and Loss Aversion: Psychological theories of scarcity and loss aversion suggest that people are more motivated by the fear of losing out on something than by the prospect of gaining something new. On social media, the fear of missing out on social events, trends, or opportunities can drive users to stay constantly connected, even when they have little to gain from the interaction.
  • Social Connectivity and Belonging: FOMO is also linked to the fundamental human need for social connection and belonging. Social media can create the illusion that everyone else is constantly connected and engaged in meaningful experiences, which can lead to a sense of exclusion and loneliness for those who feel they are missing out. This, in turn, drives users to engage more frequently with social media in an attempt to stay “in the loop.”

The Impact of Social Media Addiction on Mental Health

The combination of dopamine-driven reward mechanisms, psychological conditioning, and FOMO can have serious implications for mental health. Social media addiction has been linked to a range of negative outcomes, including:

  • Increased Anxiety and Depression: The constant comparison to others, combined with the pressures of maintaining an idealized online persona, can contribute to feelings of anxiety and depression. Studies have shown that heavy social media use is associated with higher levels of anxiety, depression, and loneliness, particularly among younger users.
  • Sleep Disruption: Social media addiction often leads to disrupted sleep patterns, as users stay up late scrolling through their feeds or wake up during the night to check notifications. Poor sleep quality, in turn, exacerbates mental health issues like anxiety and depression.
  • Reduced Attention Span and Productivity: The constant interruptions and distractions caused by social media can reduce users’ ability to focus and be productive. The need to frequently check social media can lead to difficulties in concentrating on tasks, impairing work and academic performance.
  • Erosion of Real-Life Relationships: While social media is designed to connect people, excessive use can actually erode real-life relationships. The time spent on social media can detract from face-to-face interactions, leading to weaker social bonds and a reduced ability to engage in meaningful conversations.

Part 4 -

The Chilling Effect

The “Chilling Effect” is a phenomenon where individuals alter their behavior due to the awareness or fear that their actions are being observed, monitored, or judged by others. In the context of social media, this effect is particularly pronounced as platforms encourage users to share aspects of their lives publicly, knowing that their posts, likes, and comments are visible not only to their friends and followers but also to potential employers, advertisers, various companies and even the state. The knowledge that our online actions are visible to everyone leads to this phenomenon. As a result, we change our behavior, personalities, and even appearance online.

However, our offline selves don’t cease to exist when we’re online. Our online personas are rooted in our real minds and bodies. Constantly reprogramming our brains for online surveillance and critique has a lasting impact, even when we’re not connected. Research from Bath University explores this, dubbing it the Extended Chilling Effect. The “Extended Chilling Effect” suggests that this self-censorship and behavioral modification spill over into offline life, affecting how people act even when they are not engaged with digital platforms.

The Origins and Mechanisms of the Chilling Effect

Originally, the chilling effect referred to the suppression or alteration of speech or conduct due to the fear of legal or social repercussions. In the digital age, this concept has expanded significantly. Social media platforms are designed to maximize visibility and engagement, which naturally leads users to be acutely aware of the potential audience for every post. This awareness can prompt individuals to self-censor, carefully curating their online personas to avoid negative feedback, social ostracism, or other forms of backlash.

For instance, users might avoid expressing controversial opinions, sharing personal struggles, or even liking certain posts for fear of how they will be perceived by their social circle or broader audience. This self-censorship often leads to a homogenization of online content, where only socially acceptable, non-controversial, or superficial aspects of life are shared. The result is an environment where authentic self-expression is stifled, and people are less likely to engage in meaningful discourse.

The Role of Surveillance and Public Scrutiny

The chilling effect is amplified by the knowledge that social media activity is subject to various forms of surveillance. This includes not only the scrutiny of peers but also monitoring by employers, advertisers, and government entities. Employers increasingly review social media profiles during the hiring process, and posts or comments made years ago can resurface, leading to professional or personal consequences.

On top of that, the platforms themselves collect vast amounts of data on users, tracking their activities to tailor advertisements, content recommendations, and even search results. This pervasive monitoring can make users feel as though they are constantly under observation, leading them to modify their behavior to align with perceived expectations or norms. The fear of being judged or penalized for expressing dissenting views or engaging in nonconformist behavior creates a climate of conformity, where the diversity of thought and expression is significantly reduced.

The Extended Chilling Effect

The extended chilling effect refers to the spillover of this online self-censorship into offline life. As people become accustomed to curating their online personas to avoid scrutiny, they may begin to modify their behavior in the real world as well. This can manifest in several ways:

  • Altered Social Interactions: Individuals might avoid certain topics in face-to-face conversations, fearing that their opinions could be shared online or lead to social ostracism. They might also be more guarded in their interactions, avoiding genuine emotional expression or vulnerability due to concerns about how they will be perceived.
  • Behavioral Modifications: The constant need to maintain a certain image online can lead to changes in lifestyle choices, such as attending events or engaging in activities that are more likely to be viewed favorably by one’s social media audience. For example, someone might choose to participate in trendy or socially approved activities over those they genuinely enjoy, simply because they feel pressured to align their life with the expectations of their online persona.
  • Impact on Creativity and Innovation: The extended chilling effect can also stifle creativity and innovation. People may avoid pursuing unique or unconventional ideas out of fear that they will be judged harshly or fail to gain social media approval. This conformity can limit the diversity of thought and innovation, both online and offline, as individuals prioritize safety and acceptance over originality and risk-taking.
  • Mental Health Implications: The constant pressure to present a curated, socially acceptable version of oneself can lead to stress, anxiety, and a disconnect between one’s true self and the persona they project online. This dissonance can contribute to feelings of inauthenticity, depression, and a lack of fulfillment in both personal and professional spheres.

The Broader Societal Impacts

The chilling effect and extended chilling effect have broader societal implications as well. When individuals collectively modify their behavior to avoid controversy or disapproval, it can lead to a homogenization of social discourse. Important issues may be ignored or watered down to fit within the narrow confines of what is deemed socially acceptable, limiting public debate and stifling progress.

Furthermore, the normalization of surveillance, whether by peers, employers, or the state, can erode trust and foster a culture of fear. In such a culture, people may feel increasingly isolated, as authentic connections become more difficult to forge in an environment where everyone is constantly monitoring each other’s actions.

Part 5 -

Long-term Effects on Communication Skills

The Decline of Deep, Meaningful Conversations

One of the most notable effects of social media on communication is the trend toward brevity and superficiality. Platforms like Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook prioritize short, snappy content that can be consumed quickly. This has led to a communication style that favors quick updates, emojis, and abbreviations over detailed, thoughtful conversations. While this style of communication is efficient for sharing information rapidly, it often sacrifices nuance and emotional depth.

Over time, this reliance on short-form communication can degrade our ability to engage in deeper, more meaningful conversations. The art of dialogue, where ideas are explored in depth, and complex emotions are expressed, becomes less practiced. As a result, people may struggle to communicate effectively in situations that require more than a few words or a string of emojis. This can lead to misunderstandings, as the subtleties of tone, intention, and emotion are often lost in translation, particularly in text-based interactions.

Reduced Attention Span and Patience

The rapid-fire nature of social media encourages constant scrolling and multitasking, which can negatively impact our attention span. Users are conditioned to expect immediate gratification from their digital interactions, whether it’s the instant feedback of likes and comments or the quick consumption of bite-sized content. This conditioning can make it more difficult to engage in activities that require sustained focus, such as reading a book, listening attentively during a conversation, or participating in in-depth discussions.

This impatience cultivated by social media can extend to interpersonal relationships. People may find themselves less willing to invest time and effort in conversations that do not offer immediate rewards. The slow, deliberate process of getting to know someone, resolving conflicts, or expressing complex emotions can feel cumbersome compared to the instant validation offered by social media interactions. Over time, this shift in expectations can weaken our relationships, as meaningful communication requires patience, empathy, and a willingness to listen.

The Erosion of Nonverbal Communication Skills

Human communication is not just about words; it is also about nonverbal cues such as body language, facial expressions, and tone of voice. These cues play a critical role in conveying emotions, building trust, and understanding others’ intentions. However, social media and digital communication often strip away these nonverbal elements, reducing interactions to text and images.

As people spend more time communicating online and less time in face-to-face interactions, their ability to read and interpret nonverbal cues may diminish. This can lead to a breakdown in communication, as individuals may struggle to understand the full meaning behind others’ words or to express their own emotions effectively. In real-life social settings, this erosion of nonverbal communication skills can result in awkward or strained interactions, further isolating individuals and weakening their relationships.

Impact on Conflict Resolution Skills

Effective conflict resolution relies on clear, empathetic communication, where both parties feel heard and understood. In the digital realm, however, conflicts are often addressed through impersonal mediums such as text messages or social media posts. These platforms do not lend themselves well to resolving misunderstandings or navigating the complexities of emotional disputes.

The anonymity and distance provided by digital communication can embolden people to express themselves more harshly or abruptly than they would in person, leading to escalation rather than resolution of conflicts. Additionally, the lack of real-time feedback in online communication can result in prolonged misunderstandings, as people may misinterpret messages without the benefit of immediate clarification. Over time, this can erode trust and mutual respect in relationships, making it harder to resolve conflicts constructively.

The Risk of Emotional Detachment

Another long-term effect of social media on communication is the potential for emotional detachment. The impersonal nature of digital interactions can make it easier to disengage from the emotional consequences of our words. When conversations are reduced to text on a screen, it is easy to forget that there are real people with real feelings on the other side. This detachment can lead to a lack of empathy and understanding in our communication, further degrading the quality of our relationships.

In extreme cases, this emotional detachment can contribute to phenomena such as cyberbullying, where individuals feel free to say hurtful things they would never express in person. Even in less severe instances, the habit of communicating in a detached, impersonal way can spill over into face-to-face interactions, making it harder to connect with others on an emotional level.

Part 6 -

Is It All Bad?

Social media does have its merits, particularly in maintaining connections that might otherwise fade. One of the top regrets people have on their deathbeds is not staying in touch with friends, so is having a weak connection better than none at all? These weak connections, while not as fulfilling as close relationships, provide a sense of continuity and community. They allow us to stay aware of milestones in others’ lives and can sometimes serve as bridges to rekindling stronger relationships.

However, this convenience comes at a significant cost. In an age of hyperconnectivity, we find ourselves paradoxically more isolated. Technology promises deeper connection, yet it often leaves us feeling lonelier than ever. This contradiction is rooted in broader societal trends like urbanization, rising individualism, and the erosion of clear boundaries between work and personal life. The Dunbar Number reminds us of our limited capacity to manage relationships, implying that the vast networks we build online may stretch us beyond what’s cognitively sustainable. The addictive nature of social media, driven by reward systems and the fear of missing out, poses real threats to mental health. Social media’s pervasive surveillance culture also fosters self-censorship, diluting the richness of social discourse.

Perhaps most concerning is the long-term impact on our communication skills. While digital platforms offer convenience, they risk eroding the depth, clarity, and emotional richness of our interactions. Nuances like tone, body language, and real-time emotional feedback are often lost in digital exchanges, making communication more superficial.

On a personal note, I firmly believe that the negatives far outweigh the positives. Stepping away from social media was one of the best decisions I made. Since leaving Facebook for the second time, I’ve avoided platforms like Twitter (X), Instagram, TikTok, and others, and I’ve felt much better for it. While I’d recommend this path to most people, I recognize that society as a whole isn’t likely to follow suit.

Therefore, in navigating this complex digital landscape, it’s crucial to remember that the most fulfilling relationships are those nurtured with intention, effort, and genuine care. Social media should be used mindfully, as a supplement to, rather than a replacement for, the meaningful human connections we truly need.