CREATING A PATH TO WELL-BEING IN THE SOCIAL MEDIA MAZE by Mount Royal University

Social media is deeply embedded in our daily lives for various reasons, but is it truly safe for our well-being, particularly our mental health? This research and system map began with these questions. Through an extensive literature review, including over 16 peer-reviewed papers and two subject-matter expert interviews, I gained valuable insights for this project. The findings suggest that it’s not social media itself that harms our health, but rather how we engage with it.

Social media offers opportunities for communication, connection, enjoyment, and easy access to information. However, depending on our psychological state and motivations, it can affect us in different ways. For some, it may inspire positive change, while for others, it can become a source of comparison. It may offer quick laughter, yet foster a dependency on stimulation and pleasure. While it provides valuable information, it can also overwhelm us with an excess of content or misinformation. The business models and algorithms designed to keep us engaged often lead us into negative cycles rather than positive ones.

In this complex landscape, how can we break free from these negative cycles and use social media more positively? While these system maps may not have all the answers, they offer insights that help guide us forward.

Specifically, the causal map outlines the cause-and-effect relationships stemming from social media’s core services, illustrating how they lead to both positive and negative impacts on users. The actor map identifies key stakeholders within the system and shows how they influence and interact with one another. By highlighting leverage points, I demonstrate which aspects are resistant to change and which offer opportunities for transformation. Finally, the rich context map provides a detailed narrative of the factors that shaped the current system and envisions potential future scenarios.