The Impact of Social Media on Mental Health and Business
Last updated January 19, 2025
When businesses develop social media strategies, they aim to build brand awareness, connect with their audience, and drive website traffic and sales. However, the digital landscape can be a minefield. Missteps, controversial posts, and a lack of engagement can backfire spectacularly, turning well-meaning efforts into PR disasters.
It doesn’t take long for most small businesses to realize that navigating the minefield of social media posts, taking a stand on societal issues, and not being attentive to comments and engagement can backfire, BIG TIME.
For small businesses and personal brands, this reality is especially stark. My journey from managing social media for the legendary band Megadeth to pivoting my career toward Productivity & Minset for Type-A Moms, has given me a unique perspective on the highs and lows of the digital sphere.
Today, we’ll delve into what makes social media both a boon and a bane, the toll it takes on mental health, and how to navigate this challenging terrain.
The Double-Edged Sword of Social Media
Social media serves as a powerful tool for entrepreneurs, enabling direct communication with audiences and real-time feedback. Yet, the constant need to curate content and maintain an online presence can lead to stress and burnout. The pressure to present a flawless image often results in anxiety and self-doubt, detracting from authentic engagement.
Social media isn’t inherently harmful, but the way it is often used—comparison, endless scrolling, and algorithm-driven rabbit holes—can significantly impact mental well-being.
A Defining Moment in My Social Media Journey
One pivotal moment reshaped how I viewed social media’s darker side.
A few years ago, I saw a video pop up in my Facebook Newfeed that I couldn’t look away from. I watched the whole thing twice - a rarity in today's bite-sized content posts and short attention spans.
The video is of a young woman is a YouTube makeup artist that posts videos on different makeup techniques and looks, with a focus on covering up her acne. The video talks about the hateful, disgusting, obnoxious, and perverse comments she receives on her social media accounts - both because of her acne and after her finished makeup looks.
It made me so sad, striking my empathy chords and making me think of my young daughter and how she would feel if that was her.
Excuse the grainy pic - cell phone cameras have come a long way since then!
That video stayed with me and became a catalyst for changing my career direction. My time as the Social Media Manager for Megadeth had already exposed me to the toxic underbelly of the internet, but this brought it closer to home.But I was in no way surprised. In fact, these types of comments are so invasive and normal, it almost sunk back into my subconscious before I thought, "Nope, nope, nope. I have something to say."
My tenure as the Social Media Manager for Megadeth started by volunteering to help moderate the band's Facebook page. At the time, the page had around 6.5 million fans, and moderating for spam was the least time-consuming issue. The sheer volume of "fans" and straight-up trolls constantly spewing hate and discontent was overwhelming and enormous. The comments ranged from hating on the music and the tired-ass Metallica vs. Megadeth debate, to horribly insulting slurs about and to Dave and sometimes his family.
Now...Dave is a polarizing figure who is known for being outspoken and having strong political and religious beliefs. There is some ownership a person has to have (like any brand or company) when they are in the public eye knowing they are being scrutinized.
That said, what struck me more than Dave and Megadeth being attacked constantly, was how comfortable people were typing things that in-person would be psychotic and cruel by any standards.
How the hell did that become ok?
Is the ease of anonymity to blame? Lackadaisical parenting? Selfie-narcissism? I don't know - probably some of all of it plus other anthropological and societal factors that are clear as mud.
What I do know is that after 2 years of constantly reading and deleting these comments over and over and over - and I mean several hours a day, every day of the week - it made me depressed, anxious, and self-conscious. And the comments had nothing to do with me! After I left Megadeth, it took me weeks to decompress from the constant negative shit-storm.
Back to the young woman in the video…
She is beautiful, creative, entrepreneurial, and brave. It takes serious guts to show the world your acne-ridden face with the aim of showing other women how to feel better about themselves. Some might say if she puts herself out there, she is fair-game. That's crap. You have a responsibility to yourself and your loved ones to be a decent human being. That includes when you are behind a computer screen.
The Toll on Mental Health
Research has consistently shown that excessive social media use can negatively impact mental health. A 2023 study at Iowa State University found that limiting social media use to 30 minutes per day led to significant improvements in mental health4. Participants who reduced their social media usage scored lower for anxiety, depression, loneliness, and fear of missing out.
For entrepreneurs, the stakes are even higher. When your livelihood depends on social media, the pressure to perform and engage can become all-consuming. Over time, this can lead to anxiety, burnout, and even a loss of personal identity as business and personal life blur.
Normalization of Online Hate
What shocked me most during my time moderating Megadeth’s social media accounts wasn’t just the volume of hateful comments but how comfortable people were in expressing vitriol. From anonymous trolls to overly aggressive “fans,” the digital space allowed cruelty to flourish unchecked.
Since 2015, the problem has only intensified. Social media has become a breeding ground for divisiveness, particularly around political and social issues. Platforms like Facebook and Twitter amplify polarizing content through algorithms designed to maximize engagement. This creates echo chambers where users are exposed primarily to opinions that align with their own, reinforcing biases and deepening societal divides.
The result? A significant toll on mental health, as users are bombarded with inflammatory content, misinformation, and hostility. About two-thirds of Americans (64%) say social media have a mostly negative effect on the way things are going in the country today. This survey of U.S. adults found that only one-in-ten Americans believe social media sites have a mostly positive effect, while one-quarter say these platforms have neither a positive nor negative effect.
This study clearly demonstrates that a significant majority of Americans perceive social media as having an overall negative impact on the country. While this study doesn't provide detailed reasons for this perception, it does indicate a widespread concern about social media's influence on national affairs.
Echo Chambers and Polarization
Echo chambers thrive on platforms that feed users content based on their activity. This creates an environment where opposing viewpoints are rarely seen, leading to increased tribalism. For entrepreneurs, navigating this space becomes a balancing act. Taking a stance on contentious issues can alienate parts of your audience, while staying silent risks appearing out of touch.
👉Embracing Authenticity: Setting Boundaries and Protecting Your Energy
You should not speak (read: type) or act any differently on social media than you would in person. In fact, I might argue that being behind a computer screen gives you the luxury of time to form a thoughtful and polite statement or response.
I have plenty of friends and acquaintances on social media that have very, very different views than my own. That does not give me the right to post hateful comments on their updates or be an incendiary jerk. If someone's updates constantly make your blood boil, then hide them from your timeline or unfriend/unfollow them - simple. If someone posts hateful crap on your updates, you have zero obligation to put up with that.
Strategies for Entrepreneurs
Social media is vital for many businesses, but it doesn’t have to come at the cost of your mental health or well-being. Here are some actionable strategies to mitigate the negative effects:
Set Boundaries
Allocate specific times for social media activities. Use scheduling tools like Buffer or Later to plan posts in advance, freeing up time for other priorities.
Limit Consumption
Monitor and reduce the time you spend on platforms. Apps like Moment or RescueTime can help track usage and set limits.
Curate Your Feed
Follow accounts that inspire and uplift. Mute or unfollow those that spark comparison or negativity.
Engage Authentically
Share content that reflects your values and mission. Focus on building genuine connections with your audience rather than chasing vanity metrics.
Take Digital Detoxes
Periodically step away from social media to recharge. Even short breaks can help restore perspective and reduce stress.
Seek Support
Connect with other entrepreneurs who understand the challenges of balancing social media and business. Join communities where you can share experiences and strategies.
If you're a brand, I would strongly - and I mean STRONGLY - caution you on weighing in on hot-button issues. If you are a big brand that can afford to lose lots of fans and business by standing for your opinion, then by all means go for it. Just know that people won't be able to help themselves and will commence the hate-spewing within minutes of your social media post.
I guess the entire point is social media does have positives - but it can also be fraught with hurtful encounters. If you find yourself or your business in this position, be positive, stand up for yourself, and don't ever sink to their level.
Conclusion: Lessons Learned
Social media offers immense potential for connection and growth, but its impact on mental health cannot be ignored. As entrepreneurs, it’s essential to strike a balance between leveraging these tools and protecting your well-being.
Remember, you can’t control the online environment, but you can control your response to it. Set boundaries, embrace positivity, and focus on authentic engagement to thrive both personally and professionally.
How have you created a healthier social media strategy as an entrepreneur? Leave me a comment below. ⤵
“Character is doing the right thing when nobody’s looking. There are too many people who think that the only thing that’s right is to get by, and the only thing that’s wrong is to get caught.”
— J.C. WATTS
