{"id":2857,"date":"2020-08-18T18:44:00","date_gmt":"2020-08-18T18:44:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/clone\/2020\/08\/18\/social-media-and-mental-health-part-3\/"},"modified":"2023-06-02T07:04:39","modified_gmt":"2023-06-02T05:04:39","slug":"social-media-and-mental-health-part-3","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/social-media-and-mental-health-part-3\/","title":{"rendered":"Social Media and Mental Health-Part 3"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p><\/p><center><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"549\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/clone\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/social_media_post.jpg?resize=800%2C549&#038;ssl=1\" class=\"attachment-full size-full\" alt=\"\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/clone\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/social_media_post.jpg 800w, https:\/\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/clone\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/social_media_post-300x206.jpg 300w, https:\/\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/clone\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/social_media_post-768x527.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\"><\/center><p><\/p><p><i> Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable\u2014if anything is excellent or praiseworthy\u2014think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me\u2014put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you <\/i> . \u2013 Philippians 4:8-9<\/p><p><span><span> In <\/span><\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/clone\/social-media-and-mental-healthpart-1\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Part 1<\/a><span><span> and <\/span><\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/clone\/social-media-and-mental-healthpart-2\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Part 2<\/a><span>, we address some of the negative impacts of social media and our mental health &#8211; isolation, comparing ourselves to others, addiction, and social anxiety are challenges we face when overdoing social media and we should all be aware of this. <\/span><\/p><p><span> However, there are positive features of social media that help us with our mental health challenges. Let&#8217;s look at a few. <\/span><\/p><p><span> As with much of the world around us there are goods and bads. Often, when taken in moderation, we can find the good in most things. The choice is ours to decide how to use God&#8217;s creation for our benefit. Here are a couple of ways social media can be used for our good: <\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: bold\"> 1) Social connections <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: normal\"><span style=\"font-weight: normal\"> &#8211; social media, when used in moderation, can allow us to build relationships in meaningful ways <\/span><\/span><span><span>. You may be able to connect with those who struggle with the same issues you face or find help from those who are further down the road than we are. Camaraderie can be built, relationships strengthened, and new friendships formed. Over the years I&#8217;ve been able to connect with those that I normally would not meet and have greatly benefited from our friendship via social media. When used to enhance a friendship or to plan a time together, social media can be of great use. This <\/span><\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pewresearch.org\/internet\/2015\/08\/06\/chapter-4-social-media-and-friendships\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">article<\/a><span><span> explores the role social media in friendships. <\/span><\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: bold\"><span style=\"font-weight: bold\"> 2) Emerging research on mental health can be found on social media <\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: normal\"> &#8211; Often social media is a great source to find some of the latest research on a variety of mental health issues <\/span><span><span>. Here are a few I follow: <\/span><\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/allenfrancesmd\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Dr. Allan Francis<\/a><span><span>, <\/span><\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.barna.com\/category\/culture-media\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">The Barna Group<\/a><span><span>, and <\/span><\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ccef.org\/blog\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">CCEF<\/a><span>. <\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-style: italic\"> Apply your heart to instruction and your ears to words of knowledge<\/span><span>. \u2013 Proverbs 23:12 <\/span><\/p><p><span><span> 3) A few more <\/span><\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/later.com\/blog\/social-media-mental-health-tips\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">tips<\/a><span><span> on social media &#8211; as we finish this three part series, here are a few reminders: <\/span><\/span><\/p><ul><li><span> Use social media in moderation &#8211; don&#8217;t overdo it! <\/span><\/li><li><span> Beware of the addictive nature of your online use and adjust accordingly. <\/span><\/li><li><span> Create real friendships &#8211; in real time, in the same space as each other. <\/span><\/li><li><span> Use it for good and not harm. Ask friends for input, seek more information, and open yourself to other ways of connecting with others. Try a week long fast and see what you learn. <\/span><\/li><\/ul><p><span style=\"font-style: italic\"><span style=\"font-style: italic\"> The church setting is the perfect place to help those with all kinds of mental health needs or issues with sin. Learn how to set up a <\/span><\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.inmotioncounseling.org\/\" style=\"font-style: italic\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"> Disciples In Motion<\/a><span style=\"font-style: italic\"><span style=\"font-style: italic\"> visit with Tim. The weekend includes many different opportunities for mental health trainings in the church setting. Click <\/span><\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.inmotioncounseling.org\/\" style=\"font-style: italic\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"> here<\/a><span style=\"font-style: italic\"><span style=\"font-style: italic\"> for more information. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Social connection and emerging research can be valuable ways to use social media for good.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":25,"featured_media":2858,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"ghostkit_customizer_options":"","ghostkit_custom_css":"","ghostkit_custom_js_head":"","ghostkit_custom_js_foot":"","ghostkit_typography":"","_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[71],"tags":[58],"post_folder":[151],"class_list":["post-2857","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news","tag-mental-health"],"featured_image_src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/social_media_post.jpg?fit=800%2C549&ssl=1","author_info":{"display_name":"dtadmin","author_link":"https:\/\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/author\/dtadmin\/"},"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/phsvEw-K5","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":3580,"url":"https:\/\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/i-love-my-church-johannesburg-icoc-part-i\/","url_meta":{"origin":2857,"position":0},"title":"&#8220;I Love My Church&#8221; &#8211; Johannesburg ICOC, Part I","author":"dtadmin","date":"March 4, 2014","format":false,"excerpt":"Editor's note: This is eighth in a series of testimonials on \"I Love My Church.\" Find out more about this series here . Send your story and\/or video link to content@dtoday.net ! Who knew that a birthday celebration would ultimately lead to the best gift in the world? In December\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Testimonials&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Testimonials","link":"https:\/\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/category\/testimonials\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/03\/f22b71d4-553d-4f5d-a710-448a18e70b1b.jpg?fit=640%2C480&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/03\/f22b71d4-553d-4f5d-a710-448a18e70b1b.jpg?fit=640%2C480&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/03\/f22b71d4-553d-4f5d-a710-448a18e70b1b.jpg?fit=640%2C480&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":2792,"url":"https:\/\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/the-scourge-of-suicide-part-two\/","url_meta":{"origin":2857,"position":1},"title":"The Scourge of Suicide &#8211; Part Two","author":"dtadmin","date":"October 1, 2020","format":false,"excerpt":"Acknowledge, care, and get treatment from a professional when others when they share with us the desire to harm themselves.","rel":"","context":"In &quot;News&quot;","block_context":{"text":"News","link":"https:\/\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/category\/news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/togetherness.jpg?fit=800%2C450&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/togetherness.jpg?fit=800%2C450&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/togetherness.jpg?fit=800%2C450&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/togetherness.jpg?fit=800%2C450&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":5658,"url":"https:\/\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/women-today-studies-lessons-and-devotionals-item-8794-moments-of-gratitude-joyful-prayerful-and-thankful\/","url_meta":{"origin":2857,"position":2},"title":"Moments of Gratitude: &quot;Joyful, Prayerful and Thankful&quot;","author":"dtadmin","date":"November 28, 2017","format":false,"excerpt":"\"Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstance; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.\" -- 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 Finding joy in all circumstances is our way to experience God's blessings. We can have faith through the storms when we are able to focus on God's\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Women's Ministry&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Women's Ministry","link":"https:\/\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/category\/womens-ministry\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/cashandmariamchargue.jpg?fit=913%2C913&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/cashandmariamchargue.jpg?fit=913%2C913&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/cashandmariamchargue.jpg?fit=913%2C913&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/cashandmariamchargue.jpg?fit=913%2C913&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":25516,"url":"https:\/\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/icoc-youth-and-family-service-team-report-2025\/","url_meta":{"origin":2857,"position":3},"title":"ICOC Youth and Family Service Team Report 2024","author":"Lai-Yan Faller","date":"February 4, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"The Youth and Family Ministry Service Team desires to aid and support all the congregations of the ICOC in whatever way we can. 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