How to fight the stress caused by social media

Since 1992, April has been designated as Stress Awareness Month. It is an important reminder of the critical role that stress management plays in maintaining the mental and physical health of users. Social media has emerged as a major source of stress, causing a proliferation of anxiety and stress-related problems for users.

In addition to the fact that social media can overwhelm us with too much information and make us feel like we are missing out, it also exposes us to scammers who can use personal information for profit. Understanding how social media affects users' wellbeing is crucial to managing anxiety. It is important to learn how to have a healthier relationship with these digital spaces.

To minimise the negative impact of social media on digital wellbeing, tech experts suggest several simple tips:

Privacy can be enhanced in account settings

Properly configuring the privacy settings of online accounts is a critical step towards safeguarding personal information and maintaining digital security. By customizing who can view a profile and posts, users can significantly reduce the risk of unwanted interactions with strangers who may have bad intentions. This proactive measure mitigates potential threats such as stalking, identity theft, doxing and phishing scams. The Privacy Checker online service's guidelines will help users manage privacy settings on the most popular social networks.

Selective connections and careful sharing are critical strategies for providing online safety and digital well-being

By limiting connections to people users know personally, they reduce the chances of encountering scammers and receiving harmful or malicious content. Exposure to inappropriate content, such as scenes of violence or cruelty, can lead to discomfort. By controlling the digital environment through careful acceptance of friend requests, users can be guided towards a more positive and safer online experience.

In addition, the use of social networking tools to group friends allows for more personalised sharing. By categorizing friends, users can share personal information with a close-knit group, reaping the benefits of social sharing with less risk.

Vigilance is everything: any link is a potential risk

Any link you come across online should be treated with caution, even if it comes via a personal message from a friend, as there is always the possibility that their account has been compromised. Behind seemingly innocuous links on social media, there are often phishing schemes that are camouflaged to mimic legitimate sites. These deceptive sites are designed to trick users into revealing sensitive information such as passwords, financial details and other personal data.

The similarity of these phishing sites to genuine ones can easily mislead, greatly increasing the risk of losing personal data. This digital threat highlights the importance of being vigilant and adopting safe online practices, such as verifying the authenticity of websites before entering any information and using a comprehensive security solution.

A weak password is a gift for a fraudster

A weak password greatly simplifies the task of people with malicious intent, making it easier for them to gain unauthorised access to social media accounts. Once compromised, these accounts can be exploited in many harmful ways, such as deceiving those on your contact list or engaging in blackmail and intimidation. A strong, complex password acts as a critical first line of defense against such threats, helping to safeguard personal information and digital identity, preventing the stress and complications associated with dealing with compromised accounts.

In addition, using a trusted password manager not only enhances your online security but also relieves the stress of memorizing multiple complex passwords, pushing your protection against cyber threats to the maximum extent possible.

Reporting suspicious activity and cyberbullying on social media platforms is an essential part of maintaining a safe and friendly online environment

Online platforms are our allies in the quest for digital security and peace of mind, with a vested interest in the safety and satisfaction of their users. When you report harmful content or cyberbullying, you are not only protecting yourself, but also contributing to the well-being of the wider community. Such reports allow social media companies to take appropriate action - whether it's removing harmful content, banning malicious accounts, or implementing new security features - promoting a safer online space for everyone.