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Signs of Unhealthy Social Media Habits Mental Health Practitioners Should Spot

Find out some of the telltale signs of social media addiction, and how you can earn your master’s in psychology.

Today’s mental health practitioners help patients navigate a new set of modern challenges. Technology has changed the way we live—in many ways for the better—but for some people it can also create problems. Social media is just one of the new tools that professionals with careers in psychology help people learn to use in healthy and beneficial ways.

Find out some of the key signs of unhealthy social media use, and how you can become a psychology major and earn your online master’s in psychology.

Signs of Unhealthy Social Media Habits Mental Health Practitioners Should Spot

Understanding Social Media Problems as a Psychology Major

Within the last decade, social media has become part of the daily life of many people. According to the Pew Research Center, about three-quarters of today’s Facebook users visit the site daily, and more than half check the site multiple times each day.1 With multiple platforms available in a range of formats, today’s social media sites and apps help us connect with friends and family, find lost friends, make professional connections, promote new businesses and products, and share the things that are most important to us.

On the other hand, social media use can also become problematic for some people, and today much is said about “oversharing” and the amount of time spent on social media. For today’s professional with a psychology degree, it’s helpful to recognize the difference between healthy and unhealthy social media use. Some of the signs of unhealthy social media habits and even social media addiction include:

  • Checking social media as soon as you wake up before you get out of bed.
  • Mindless scrolling through the news feed for too long.
  • Posting too many photos daily, such as photos of each meal you eat or each activity of the day.
  • Excessive use of hashtags in your communication outside of social media.
  • Anxiously checking and re-checking for likes and comments on your posts and photos throughout the day. 
  • Not knowing when and what not to share.
  • Hopping on social media too often while out with friends and family.
  • Deleting posts that don’t get enough likes and comments.
  • Checking notifications every time your phone dings or buzzes.
  • Comparing yourself excessively to other people based on what they share on social media. 

The next generation of psychologists enrolled in today’s psychology master’s programs will likely continue to see patients with unhealthy social media habits, so knowing how to spot the signs and how to help patients navigate their digital lives in healthier ways will be key to many careers with a psychology degree.

Earn Your Master’s in Psychology Degree Online

Earning your advanced psychology degree can further your skills in your field and prepare you to pursue those next-level careers in psychology. If you’re interested in earning your master’s in psychology, look no further than Walden University’s MS in Psychology degree program.

At Walden, students can earn a degree in psychology and become successful mental health professionals through an online master’s in psychology program open to students of all undergraduate backgrounds. Walden’s online psychology courses provide a solid foundation in basic scientific methods and psychological principles and can get you on track to earning your doctoral psychology degree.

As a Walden online master’s in psychology student, you can choose from several specializations, including Applied Psychology, Educational Psychology, General Psychology, Health Psychology, Social Psychology, and a self-designed option, and choose from two tracks to help you meet your professional goals. Prepare to become a mental health practitioner ready to take on real-world situations.

If you’re ready to earn your master’s degree in psychology, find out how you can get started at Walden University.

Walden University is an accredited institution offering an MS in Psychology degree program. Expand your career options and earn your degree in a convenient, flexible format that fits your busy life.


1Source: www.pewinternet.org/2018/03/01/social-media-use-in-2018

Walden University is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission, www.hlcommission.org.

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