Author: Dr. Veronica Anderson

Highly sensitive people can have a tough time on social media sites. Studies tell us that regular social media use can lead to negative emotions such as anxiety, depression, and chronic stress. That’s true with all of us, especially with the highly sensitive person. It is believed that as much as 20% of the global population is highly sensitive.

This means that spending time on websites like Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok can be a very negative experience for many people.

Highly sensitive people don’t always respond to positive situations in an above-average way. This character trait often triggers a negative emotional response to some sensory input. A bad situation might concern most people, but the HSP has a much more difficult time with it. The response is greater because that person’s sensory radar is stronger and more capable.

“Why Are You So Sensitive?”

Do people ever tell you this on social media? Do they frequently remark that you get your feelings hurt too easily? It might just be that you are more sensitive than most. There’s nothing wrong with that. It means your senses are highly attuned and in good working order.

It also means you might have to cope with a negative emotional response to social media more than the average person.

If people often say you overreact to situations on social media, don’t take that as a negative sign. It’s simply the way you are. Some people are born to grow tall, while others are shorter than average. Blue eyes and blond hair are character traits, just as a high level of sensitivity is.

It only means that social media might trigger negative emotional responses like anger, jealousy, or sadness. Since only about 2 out of every 10 people worldwide is highly sensitive, people might tell you that your response is overly dramatic. When you get this feedback continuously, remember that social media can be very judgmental.

Don’t let it bother you. What you can do to cope with this situation is to spend less time online.

Unplug to Cope As a Highly Sensitive Person

You’ve probably heard that spending too much time online can harm your mental and emotional health. It can also wreck your physical body. There are many reasons why unplugging from consumer electronics and the Internet is a healthy idea from time to time.

For the highly sensitive person, it might be even more important for mental and emotional well-being.

Social media can expose you to hundreds if not thousands of images, words, videos, and audio input in a very short period. As a highly sensitive person, this can overwhelm and overstimulate you. The experience is especially intense for highly sensitive people.

Set time limits for Internet usage. Don’t automatically pick up your phone whenever you have a couple of minutes of free time. Limiting your exposure to social media as a highly sensitive person can give your senses a rest. It can also improve your mental and emotional outlook, and that’s a good thing.

Approach the Author via Linkedin: Dr. Veronica Anderson