Social media has become a powerful force in shaping our experiences as individuals and groups. These platforms provide a unique opportunity for exchange of information and human interaction. Personally, I have been able to reconnect with significant people from earlier times of my life. It is a reconnection that has been deep and lasting.
However, we are learning a variety of ways that social media impact our mental health.
This is especially true for those who have experienced trauma. Social media can serve as a potent trigger for trauma responses, reopening old wounds and amplifying distress.
Trauma is a psychological and emotional response to an event or series of events that overwhelm an individual’s ability to cope. Traumatic experiences often involve actual or perceived threats to life, safety, or well-being, and can leave lasting imprints on memory, behavior, and emotion. Trauma responses may manifest immediately or years later, triggered by reminders known as “trauma triggers.” These responses can include anxiety, panic attacks, dissociation, intrusive thoughts, emotional numbing, or hypervigilance.
Triggers can be anything—a sound, a smell, an image, a phrase—that evokes the original traumatic memory and launches the individual into a state of psychological distress. In the age of social media, these triggers have become more pervasive and difficult to avoid.
There are several ways that social media can be a trauma trigger.
1. Viral Content and Unfiltered Imagery
Images and videos of violence, disasters, accidents, and abuse can quickly go viral, reaching millions of users across the globe. The speed and scale at which such content spreads mean that individuals may encounter graphic material without warning, leaving them unprepared for the psychological impact. If you use social media as a resource for news, you may encounter stories that can trigger you.
2. Personal Storytelling and Disclosure
Social media provides a platform for individuals to share personal experiences, including accounts of trauma such as abuse, discrimination, or loss. While this can foster solidarity and raise awareness, it can also inadvertently act as a trigger for others with similar experiences, who may relive their own trauma upon reading or watching these narratives.
3. Cyberbullying and Online Harassment
Sharing on social media can be mostly anonymous. This will embolden some users to engage in bullying, harassment, or hateful speech. If you have experienced trauma, these critical comments can trigger trauma responses, especially if what you read online is similar to your real-life experience.
Trauma responses triggered by social media can be wide-ranging and severe. You may have unwanted memories of the original traumatic event. You may have heightened anxiety or panic attacks. You may shut down emotionally and disconnect from your surroundings. You may notice a disruption of sleep and concentration. The subtle nature of trauma triggers from social media may make it difficult to notice these responses when they happen. It may be difficult to make the connection between the trigger and what you have seen on social media.
Social media has a pervasive presence in our lives, so it may be difficult to avoid it completely. However, there are some ways that you can cope with the potential triggers from social media.
1. Control your content.
Take advantage of privacy settings on social media sites. You can use these settings to mute or block distressing accounts. You can unfollow sources that consistently post triggering material. Many sites allow users to flag content as sensitive or add trigger warnings. Paying attention to these warnings can you make an informed decision about viewing the content.
2. Limit your exposure.
You probably can’t avoid social media completely, but you can control your exposure to it. Schedule breaks from social media. You can do this for several days or even weeks. You can set boundaries on your daily screen time.
3. Seek support.
Remember social media can support your recovery from trauma. There are online groups that provide support and advocacy for your trauma recovery. Becoming involved with these platforms can offer validation and connection.
Social media is an amazing tool, but it can have its challenges if you struggle with trauma. You can visit my trauma treatment specialty page to learn more about how counseling can help with trauma.