Why It’s Okay to Step Away from Social Media?

Editorial Article

Why It’s Okay to Step Away from Social Media? 

By: Maitha Alzarra, Digital Media Student 
Date: April 5th, 2026
Dubai, UAE 

Social media is a huge part of our daily lives especially for young people. It helps us stay connected, informed, and entertained. But being online all the time isn’t always a good thing. In fact, reports from Common Sense Media show that teens spend around 3 to 4 hours a day on social media which quickly adds up and takes up a big part of their free time each week.

One of the biggest issues is how social media affects the way we see ourselves. When we’re constantly looking at edited photos and people’s highlighted reels, it’s easy to start comparing and feel like we’re falling behind. Even when we know it’s not completely real, it can still affect our confidence. A study from Pew Research Center found that 35% of teens feel overwhelmed by pressure on social media, and many say it affects their self esteem and mental health. This pressure to appear perfect online can make people feel like they always need to post and chase likes and comments. 

Another problem is how much time social media takes away from us. What starts as a quick scroll can turn into hours before we even notice. This can make it harder to focus on schoolwork, responsibilities, or even get enough sleep. Research from the American Phycological Association shows that heavy social media use is linked to poor concentrationand higher stress levels in teenagers. Over time, this can lead to more stress and less productivity.

Social media can also affect our real life relationships. When we’re always on our phones, we might miss out on meaningful conversations or moments with friends and family. Being there physically but distracted mentally can slowly weaken our relationships without us realizing it.

However, the solution isn’t to completely quit social media, it’s about finding a healthier balance. Simple actions like setting screen time limits, turning off unnecessary notifications, or having specific “offline” hours during the day can make a difference. Research shows that even short breaks from social media can improve mood and reduce anxiety levels. It gives us time to reconnect with things that truly matter like friends, family, and personal goals. 

Social media is useful, but it shouldn’t control our time or how we feel about ourselves. Learning when to log off is just as important as staying connected.

(Word count: 387) 

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