Is Social Media Hurting Your Mental Health? | Bailey Parnell | TEDxRyersonU

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Published 2017-06-22

Scrolling through our social media feeds feels like a harmless part of our daily lives. But is it actually as harmless at seems? According to social media expert Bailey Parnell, our growing and unchecked obsession with social media has unintended long term consequences on our mental health. As social media continues to become part of the fabric of modern life – the “digital layer” – abstinence is becoming less of an option. Bailey think it’s high time we learned to practice safe social before it’s too late. What are the common triggers? How are they affecting you over time? How can you create a more positive experience online? Bailey covers this and more in “Is Social Media Hurting Your Mental Health?”

Bailey Parnell was recently named one of Canada's Top 100 Most Powerful Women. She is an award-winning digital marketer, public speaker and businesswoman with a talent for helping people tell better stories. Her work and expertise have been featured on CBC, CTV & in other local Toronto media. Bailey recently founded SkillsCamp, a soft skills training company where they help people develop the essential skills needed for professional success. She also currently works in digital marketing at Ryerson University.

Bailey is a frequent public speaker having spoken to more than 10 thousand people. She primarily speaks about social media, personal branding, and media and mental health. She guest lectured her first MBA class at 21-years-old and has been the youngest speaker as multiple academic conferences. She is currently pursuing her Masters in Communication and Culture with a research focus on social media and mental health, and holds an honours BA from the RTA School of Media at Ryerson.

This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at www.ted.com/tedx

All Comments (21)

@lexis2637 4 years ago

the first thing I noticed when I quit social media is how much everyone looks at their phones
@michelle-gb9el 6 years ago

“In social media WE are the product, and we are letting others attribute value to us” Very powerful
@sang01me 3 years ago

Reading the comments feels good. I'm not the only one who is avoiding social media.
@joannaj.2787 3 years ago

I am 16, always been very insecure. I quit instagram 4 months ago and most of my insecurities went away. I feel like instagram can make even the most confident person very insecure. Besides, if someone feels the need to post on sm all the time, then they are faking their confidence. True confidence is quiet
@suzannescorner199 3 years ago

I'm scared to delete my social media. I'm afraid I'll miss out and end up lonely or bored. But strangely enough I probably feel lonelier because of social media.
@novaglore5361 6 years ago

The only social media I find the most inspiring and made up of the best useful content is YouTube
@imsamiurrahman 3 years ago

If you want to stay happy in life just delete social media. Trust me you'll be happier than ever.
@ishanipathak5001 2 years ago

im celebrating an year without social media. feels like I actually LIVED this year
@dominikaxy 5 years ago

Social media made us closer to people that are far away and made us to be far away from those who are just next to us!
@BaileyParnell 6 years ago

Hi Everyone, Thanks so much for watching my talk and leaving your thoughts. It's really interesting to hear how everyone has encountered the dark side of social media in one way or another, and what you did to overcome it. I hope this talks make us all (and especially our young kids) think about this more.
@GarynJanet 3 years ago

The happiest times of my life were the moments I wasn't on social media. That just speaks for itself.
@shreenjandutta 9 months ago

"We struggle with insecurity because we compare our behind-the-scenes with everyone else's highlight reel." Very Powerful
@beautybywadzi 5 years ago

Social media seriously harms your mental health
@blackcatt10 5 years ago

i deleted my personal instagram account. I don't have a lot of friends because of my social anxiety. and it hurt to see everyone else having a social life, and friends and it feels so lonely. Let me just say ever since i deleted my personal instagram i feel 40 times happier, face to face relationships are the best.and my grades have improved. It helped me to not care so much about what people think. Instagram is not as important as mental health. take care of yourself first
@ruthvibangera7221 3 years ago

I thought i was weird and unsocial for doing this, but this comment section made me sooooo happy. I guess ill accept myself and not doubt my decision. And yes i deleted social media and i am mentally very happy 💯
@shikhatruth5204 3 years ago

Ever since I left social media, I get up at 7 am instead of 4 and I still have time to work out, eat breakfast at home and read the bible. No more 4 am mornings :)
@SemOnAir 5 years ago

social media is making us unsocial, that's the truth. i remember the sign at the cafe “We do not have WiFi…talk to each other, pretend it’s 1995.” that was hilarious... i don't know you, but i miss those days, back in 90's.
@rafsoto6760 5 years ago

Social media broke my spirit. i am always comparing myself too other peoples highlights, my confidence is low...
@Karamelaki 3 years ago

Me:I need to reduce my online presence 2020: online classes, FaceTime, zoom calls, online tours...
@isabel6554 3 years ago

I quit all social media in April 2020. I’ve never felt better. My time spent with friends and loved ones is special. I am a lot more efficient at work. I don’t reach for my phone nearly as much. I listen more when people talk to me. When I travel I live in the moment, I savor each experience without worrying about the perfect post. I read more books and relax more on the weekend. I no lover have FOMO. I have JOMO (joy of missing out).