Media Use

Binge-watching Netflix; getting sucked into a YouTube channel about cats or cars; scrolling through Instagram and Facebook; shopping online; engaging in a heated discussion on Reddit; playing Minecraft, World of Warcraft, Fortnite; reading the news; taking personality quizzes; gambling; googling your symptoms; swiping left and right on dating apps. What…

A new study published in The Medical Journal of Australia suggests that online symptom checkers only provide accurate diagnoses 1/3 of the time. A team of researchers from Edith Cowan University (ECU) evaluated the accuracy of 36 different symptom checkers, inputting symptoms of 48 different “patients.” They pulled clinical information…

Click here to schedule online counseling at Thriveworks. Hi there. My name is Kat Robey and I am a Licensed Professional Counselor. I work with Thriveworks in the beautiful city of Tucson, Arizona. The question today is, “How do I make social media a positive experience?” So we’re going to…

Click here to schedule online counseling at Thriveworks. Hi. My name is Ashley Costello and I’m a Licensed Clinician at Thriveworks Richmond. So the question is, “Is it bad to watch the news during COVID-19?” Well, like many mental health answers, yes and no, depending on your situation. Here are three examples…

Since the 1970s, video games have captivated imaginative minds across the world. While they were once viewed as a new fad for younger generations to enjoy, the scientific community has begun to accept the numerous cognitive benefits that playing video games can provide to both children and adults. Today, video…

Many of us scroll through social media on a daily basis—and our self-esteem takes a hit in the process. Why? Because social media is a highlight reel. In other words, people usually only share things like positive news and the most flattering of photos. As a result, we sometimes feel…

Social media is an incredible invention, one that allows us to connect with people all around the world in an instant. But there are, of course, some negative effects. For example, studies have shown that spending too much time on social feeds can lead to low self-esteem, loneliness, and depression. …

Technology is developing at such a fast pace today that it can sometimes be hard even for Millennials to keep up. It’s difficult to imagine what it must be like for people aged 65 and over. In reality, though, research data paints a different picture altogether. With the elderly spending…

Your phone activity might reveal important personality traits. This, from researchers at RMIT University. The research team looked at phone call and messaging activity logs from college students, as well as accelerometer data, which tracks phone movement. They found that an individual’s interactions with their phone predicted specific personality traits….

The average person spends around four hours each day on their phone; you can better spend this time looking into helpful apps for improving wellbeing. You can start with an app like Booster Buddy, which helps you stay mindful of your mood and track it over time. Meditation applications are…

Most of us could probably agree that social media can damage self-esteem—especially in women. Think about it: every magazine has a slender woman on the cover and a story within about how she lost the weight—and how you can, too. Additionally, TV shows and movies cast female leads that make…

Those who seek social support on Facebook when stressed are more susceptible to Facebook addiction. This, according to researchers at Ruhr-Universität Bochum in Germany. The research team conducted an online survey of 309 Facebook users between 18 and 56 years old. Participants answered questions related to stress, Facebook engagement, and…