Social Media: A Tool for Connection or a Source of Division?
- Christina Cunningham Spinler
- Jan 22
- 3 min read
Social media platforms have revolutionized the way we connect, share ideas, and engage with the world. They provide opportunities for learning, community-building, and self-expression. But they also carry a darker side, one that fosters division, spreads misinformation, and often leaves us emotionally drained.
Personally, I’ve found myself grappling with the double-edged nature of these platforms. While I’ve enjoyed staying connected and sharing meaningful content, I’ve also noticed how constant exposure to negativity has impacted my mental health. I’ve become more reactive, more judgmental, and less aligned with the person I strive to be. Reflecting on this, I realized I needed to step back and reevaluate my relationship with social media.
The Mental Health Toll of Social Media
Social media’s impact on mental health is undeniable. The constant barrage of negativity and misinformation affects us in profound ways:
It heightens stress and anxiety, keeping our minds in a perpetual state of overdrive.
It fosters emotional exhaustion, as we absorb and react to relentless debates and hostility.
It diminishes self-esteem, with curated glimpses of others’ lives triggering harmful comparisons.
It clouds critical thinking, as we’re bombarded with information designed to provoke emotion rather than reflection.
In this era of polarization and noise, it’s more important than ever to understand how these platforms shape our emotional and mental well-being. So, lets think about boundaries!
Healthy Anger vs. Harmful Anger
One lesson I’ve learned is the importance of distinguishing between different types of anger. Anger can be a healthy, empowering response to injustice, or it can become a destructive force that spreads negativity.
Healthy anger is rooted in self-respect and self-love. It’s the voice that says, “I deserve to be treated with dignity,” and it motivates constructive action. On the other hand, harmful anger often stems from a desire to dominate or retaliate. It fuels division and rarely leads to positive outcomes.
Before reacting, I’ve found it helpful to pause and ask myself:
Am I standing up for myself or simply trying to prove someone wrong?
Is my response aligned with my values, or am I being driven by frustration?
Will my actions contribute to the solutions I want to see?
Creating Healthy Social Media Boundaries
If social media has started to feel overwhelming, it may be time to reassess how you engage with it. Here are some practical ways to set boundaries:
Reflect on why you’re using social media. Are you looking for connection, learning, or inspiration? Or is it becoming a space for venting or reacting? Being intentional about your purpose can help you engage more mindfully.
One clear step is to create boundaries around what you allow into your field of consciousness. It's important to avoid getting stuck in an echo chamber of your own beliefs, while also having the discernment to say, "No, I’m not exposing myself to content that consistently shares negativity, division, or misinformation.
When you feel triggered, take a moment to breathe before responding. Ask yourself if your reaction aligns with your goals or if it’s driven by frustration from control vs. empowerment.
Stepping away from social media, even for a day, can help reset your mind. Use that time to reconnect with yourself, loved ones, or activities that bring fulfillment.
Set boundaries with clarity about your intent—anger can be empowering when it comes from a place of justice and self-respect, but it’s important to distinguish whether it’s rooted in hate or empowerment. You can often tell by how you feel afterward: does it leave you feeling grounded and stronger, or drained and worse? My thoughts are that saying no to toxicity should come from a sense of self-love and care for your well-being, not as a reaction to hostility.
Moving Forward
Social media is a powerful tool, but it’s up to us to decide how we use it. By focusing on discernment, healthy boundaries, and thoughtful engagement, we can reclaim our mental and emotional space.
I’ve decided to lessen using it for personal use of social media while continuing to use it professionally for my business—for now. This allows me to focus on what truly matters—growth, clarity, and joy—without being consumed by negativity. But stepping back doesn’t mean staying silent. I will continue to speak out on issues that align with my values and stand up for human rights.
