World Mental Health Day: Practicing Mindful Media Consumption
At the core of every human, we desire social interaction. Companionship and connections are vital towards ensuring a positive life, and nowadays, many of our connections can be found and built online. However, as a media professional, I think it’s equally important to understand and acknowledge the harmful affects of consuming too much media, or how certain pieces of media can outwardly warp people’s perceptions of self-worth and happiness.
I think ultimately what it boils down to is the fact that humans desire social interaction, and it just so happens that media is one of the easiest ways to do so. However, we are constantly being bombarded by media messages, both good and bad, and so it’s often difficult to decipher the beneficial messages we encounter versus the not-so-helpful. Today, I want to discuss ways in which media professionals can continue to exercise proper ethics and purpose behind their media, and drive individuals to create content that can benefit the audience members who consume it.
1. Disseminate the facts of social media consumption and provide ways in which consumers can partake in healthier media habits.
Honesty is the best policy, especially when we’re talking about the facts. According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, “research has shown that people who spend more time on social media and less time in personal interactions with others have an increased risk of feeling anxious and depressed. However, it’s difficult to know which came first: if spending time online causes anxiety and depression or if young people who are depressed and anxious are more likely to be isolated, less active and spending time on social media. In either case, too much time online and too little time with others can have a negative impact on our mental health.”
They say that too much of a good thing can often go bad. Even for those who love scrolling through Instagram like myself, it’s incredibly important to draw the line when you feel as though you’re disconnecting from reality. Rather than focusing all our attention towards online opportunities, media professionals should utilize their platforms to promote positive in-person interactions alongside their daily digital content. Digital content should be used as a supplemental social interaction, and not a replacement for real-life interaction.
2. Understand that diversity and representation is now more important than ever.
Media resonates deeper for those who can relate to it on a personal level. My favorite kind of media to consume involves various factors, but a major selling point for me is realism. How real is this influencer or brand that Im following and engaging with? Does the model portrayed look like me? Can I relate to the message and overall goal that the media is trying to portray? I tend to cling to media that represents my ideals, values, hobbies, and interests. The more media I see that aligns with my interests, the happier I become consuming it.
3. Create meaningful content that consumers can learn from.
The beauty of the Internet is just how vast its information truly is. Practically anything and everything can be learned with the right online resources. As media professionals, we have to often ask ourselves why we create the content that we do. How is it serving our consumers? Yes, there is always room for content that is purely entertainment-based, but it’s equally important that consumers get to engage with content they can learn a thing or two from.
Here’s a list of South-Asian based niche accounts that can aid in providing resources and information on various topics:
South Asian Therapists: Mental health resource platform for South Asians
British Bindi: Liifestyle, culture & experiences as British Asian Women
4. Create the kind of content that consumers want to consistently tune in to.
In conclusion, media consumption can provide an endless amount of benefits towards the consumer, as long as it is being done in a proactive and healthy manner. This is a gentle reminder to consumers to tune into the media that makes them the happiest, and not to be afraid to tune out the media that no longer serves a beneficial purpose to them. Media professionals, I strongly urge you to continue to treat media platforms as proactive spaces, and remember to keep the consumer’s good will in mind when creating any sort of content!