Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung Uganda (KAS Uganda) launched a campaign dubbed “Hit the pause button from social media” to promote mental health among media users. The campaign was launched during the Uganda Social Media Conference happening at Kampala Sheraton Hotel.
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Dr Paul Kasenene one of the keynote speakers at the conference noted that many social media users were battling mental disorders as a result of media usage. Most youths on social media have developed the comparison mentality a thing that has left many depressed.
Social media has lead to an ‘ideal living’ among the youth as most of them compare themselves and admire the lifestyles of others who are living their dream life. As a result, they lose self-esteem and others feel they are not loved in comparison to their counterparts whose caretakers give them the luxury that they showcase online. Then those who lack active social circles on social media feel lonely because they lack who to talk with and all these affect one’s mental health.
What is the HIT THE STOP BUTTON FROM SOCIAL MEDIA campaign about?
The campaign advocates for self-limitation while using social media. In case the weight is too much, don’t hesitate to take a break from social media.
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Impacts of social media on mental health.
Digital communication has quite a number of benefits such as creating new friendship bonds, easing communication and strengthening family ties. However social media also has negative consequences such as increasing anxiety among users, depression, the loneliness which may as well have secondary repercussions such as suicide and self-hatred.
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