Why You Should Filter Negativity From Social Media

When I think about social media, I think about entertainment. It’s fun, a way to pass time when I’m bored, and to stay in touch with people from high school I haven’t spoken to in almost 10 years.

But back in the mid-2000s when I first started creating profiles on now ancient sites like hi5 (they still send me emails), I never would’ve thought that one day we’d need to actually filter negativity from social media. And yet here we are!

Still, most people don’t give a lot of consideration to whether the content they see on social media is positive or negative, nor do they pay attention to how the consumption of negative vs positive content makes them feel.

But whether you realize it or not, the apps you use, who you follow, and what they share, has a big impact on your mindset and how you view the world, making it necessary to be your own “content moderator”.

In my case, it took a lot of restraint to break old habits but now that I’m careful about the kind of content I consume, I’ve noticed a clear improvement in how I feel on a daily basis.

Of course, I’m not justifying willful ignorance about major world events nor am I advocating toxic positivity.

But I also don’t believe in taking a hands-off approach to social media where you don’t filter negativity, especially if you find that it has a major impact on your mood – and here’s why.

Bad Energy Is Contagious

In the same way that spending time with a negative person drains you of your energy, so do negative social media posts.

Deciding how and when you’ll engage with this type of content is key to avoiding negative energy from dominating your mood, so pay close attention to the app you open first thing in the morning.

Once upon a time, I used to start my day by opening the Reddit app and scrolling down my feed which was filled with criticism of misogynistic content shared on certain subreddits that often included the (incredibly toxic) original posts.

You can imagine what reading an angry man’s post about how “all women are golddiggers” first thing in the morning does to your mood.

Right off the bat, I’d start the day frustrated, and the worst part was that I chose to see this type of content.

I followed those subreddits, I decided to read those posts, even though they didn’t serve me in any way.

As time went on, I witnessed myself becoming a very negative person. Any opportunity that came my way was seen as potentially dangerous and I developed a tunnel vision where I could only see things I didn’t like about my life.

Meanwhile, I failed to acknowledge all the things I should be grateful for – which were plenty.

What’s more, when you’re negative, it’s hard to be happy for others and celebrate their successes because all you can focus on is your own feelings of lack. The world becomes a bad place that’s out to get you, instead of a place filled with opportunities that could fuel your growth.

This brings me to my next point…

Negativity Fuels Stagnation

One of the ways in which I find new energy to pursue new projects and opportunities is by becoming excited about how this could change my life. What will I discover about myself? What will this new experience teach me?

Excitement, enthusiasm, eagerness – the positive energy created by these feelings allows me to push through the uneasiness when I step outside my comfort zone.

However, excessive negativity from social media seeps into your brain and twists your mindset so that your subconscious mind stops looking for new opportunities that could better your life. Instead, you become afraid and distrustful, and you’re less likely to take risks and grow.

The formula is so incredibly simple that we often fail to notice it at work in our lives, especially when social media keeps “confirming” that the world is a terrible place to be. And if everything sucks, what’s the point in trying, right?

Another consequence of adopting a negative mindset is an unproductive approach to adversity and challenges, both in your personal and professional life.

As a result, you’ll lack the motivation to overcome struggles and give up quickly, which acts as another confirmation in your mind that “life sucks”.

Research has also found that social media increases feelings of envy and frustration, which is another proof that everyone should take an honest look at how and why they use social media.

How To Filter Negativity From Social Media

If you’re wondering how to filter negativity from social media, the key is to start with the apps you most frequently use. In the Reddit example I discussed above, the only solution was to uninstall Reddit altogether and that made a world of difference.

As for the other social networks I use, I unfollowed or muted (sending lots of love to whoever came up with that option!) accounts that shared a disproportionate amount of negative content.

Although this included a number of well-meaning individuals who use social media as a way to vent, I realized that their venting sometimes made me feel like the world was 2 seconds away from ending, so I had to click the unfollow button.

Then, I intentionally sought out accounts and content with a more positive outlook to follow.

In a matter of weeks, the clouds of frustration and anger began to dissipate and I began to notice a clear shift in my attitude.

No, my life didn’t magically change overnight nor did all of my problems disappear – but what did change was my attitude and the realization that I held the strings to my happiness.

After reading all of this, you might feel inclined to call me overly emotional or susceptible. But the research stats I shared above paint a very convincing picture – the online world has the power to dominate and shape our reality. And if you don’t keep it in check, it’ll run the show.

Disclaimer: This article is not intended to be a replacement for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment by qualified medical professionals. Always seek the advice of your doctor, therapist, or other healthcare providers with any questions you may have.