The Dangers of Social Media For Women in Early-Recovery
Written By: Fiona Stockard
Facebook Is The Biggest Thing Around
In the HBO show Girls, Shoshanna and Jessa have the following conversation –
Shoshanna: Your not serious, that’s like not being on Facebook!
Jessa: I’m not on Facebook.
Shoshanna: You’re so f**king classy.
Since way back in 2004, when Facebook started, it’s been a HUGE part of our society in every way. Facebook lingo has infiltrated our language with “likes” and “add me” becoming common phrases. Hell, Facebook’s even had a major motion picture made about it. When the company went public in 2012, they had a market value of over one hundred billion dollars. One hundred. Billion. Dollars. Dang!
Facebook isn’t without its haters though. Many people believe it’s ruined our culture and society. They argue that we’re so obsessed with capturing and posting our lives, that we miss out on them! This has gotten even worse since smartphones came out. Today, people go into a state of panic if they’re missing their phones.
So, How Is Facebook Detrimental to Women in Early-Recovery?
I think it’s obvious that Facebook is a dangerous place for women who tend to compare themselves. Who doesn’t have the tendency to do that every once and awhile?
In another Girl’s scene, Marni finds a picture of her recent ex-boyfriend on vacation with his new girlfriend. What twenty-something can’t relate to Facebook stalking an ex?
For women in recovery though, social media is a perilous place. For people trying to live by spiritual principles, looking at Facebook and judging, or becoming jealous, leads to a place far away from God.
In early-recovery, seeing others drinking and drugging can be difficult. Scratch that, it IS difficult! Glorifying the party lifestyle, while trying to stay sober, is dangerous. On the flip side, seeing friends from high school and college having success is also hard. In short, Facebook is dangerous if you’re freshly sober.
For women suffering from body dysmorphia and eating disorders, Facebook is also a difficult place. Comparing our bodies with other women’s isn’t healthy. Comparing our pictures against thinner versions of ourselves isn’t healthy either.
What’s My Point?
It might be a smart idea to delete your Facebook during early-recovery. At the very least, limit the amount of time you spend on social media. Use it to check in with family (if your family relationship is healthy!).
Your free time might be better used reading recovery literature. Your free time might be better used working the twelve-steps. Your free time might be better used making real friends, not Facebook friends. Your free time might be better used finding out what you really like, not what you Facebook like.
