04/01/2025
How to prevent social media doomscrolling from controlling you
What do modern social media users have in common with American soldiers who decided not to return to the United States after being held as prisoners of war in North Korea? More than you might think, according to one professor.
We’re all potential victims of mind control, according to Rebecca Lemov, a historian of science at Harvard University and author of the new book “The Instability of Truth: Brainwashing, Mind Control, and Hyper-Persuasion.”
Those shown more positive posts seemed happier, and those who saw more negative posts seemed less happy.
“The more time is spent on social media, the less time is spent in social groups.”
Being lonely is terrible for a person’s mental health. One study conducted during Covid-19 lockdowns found loneliness was heavily associated with greater depression and thoughts of su***de.
What to do about it: To combat what former US Surgeon General Vivek Murthy called an epidemic of loneliness, Lemov recommended challenging yourself to join groups that meet offline to socialize, whether it’s a book club, a walking group, card game night, ultimate frisbee (or name your fun activity here).
It doesn’t even have to be that organized all the time. I like to remind my students that they can put their phones away and talk to the people next to them on the bus, at lunch and at social events. Then they’ll have an opportunity to strike up conversations and sometimes true friendships.
Lemov recommended social media users work on what’s called good sleep hygiene.
Read more: https://edition.cnn.com/2025/03/31/health/social-media-mind-control-wellness/index.html
