Today, social networks are part of our lives, since the vast majority of young people and adults in the world have at least one active social network. The amount of time that people spend browsing or interacting with them has increased, many times exposing their personal and private lives or creating realities that do not exist, without considering the consequences of their actions, putting their safety and mental health at risk. On this occasion, Fredy Martínez, a psychologist at the Plaza Lima Sur Medical Center of Clinica Ricardo Palma, gives us some advice that can help improve the relationship with social networks.

• Do not post all your daily activities on social networks. This is not healthy, as it exposes people to many dangers, such as crime or possible stalkers. It is unknown who may be following all the information being provided.
• Do not show an unreal image of yourself. Some people seek to maintain a type of image that they would like others to perceive of them, which is generally unrealistic and unsustainable over time.
• Do not constantly use filters that modify your own image. The constant use of filters makes people idealize a physical image that does not exist or that the networks have made belief is “the best”. If it is in an unusual way, there would be no problem.
• Limit the use of social networks. Everything in excess is harmful and can lead to situations that are later difficult to handle, especially in young people. In this case, the limits have to be set by the parents and will depend on the consequences that the parent indicates to their children. The most important thing is to honor the consequence for having exceeded the limit so that the children are clear about the actions of the parents in those situations.

Our specialist mentions that social networks can become addictive, since quick gratification is received and one seeks to feel it again and again through actions such as a like, a comment, or a reaction, among others. It is important that the limits are clear and that schedules are followed, prioritizing long-term results, not immediate gratification.

Fredy Martínez
Psychologist at the Plaza Lima Sur Medical Center of Clinica Ricardo Palma