How to stay safe and mentally healthy on social media in 2025

Digital wellness tips every social media user should follow

- CLINICAL MATTERS DR. EDSEL MAURICE T. SALVANA

The rise of social media has changed the way most people consume their information.

While social media has enabled unprecedented connection and rapid sharing of timely news, it has also led to a lot of conflict and disinformation along the way. It can be a double-edged sword that has the potential to do as much harm as good. Some people have been scammed and bullied, while others have had mental breakdowns to the point of self-harm. To minimize the risk, it is important to put safeguards in place. Setting limits for time online, especially for children and adolescents, along with adequate supervision, are good practices for dealing with the adverse effects of this useful tool of communication. Preemptive fact-checking before sharing, and verification of the identity of the poster are also simple tricks that can avoid trouble and go a long way in limiting damage from fake news.