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Look at the Jisc digital capability discovery tool

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Check the UCISA social media toolkit

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UCISA Social Media Toolkit: a practical guide to achieving benefits and managing risks

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This Toolkit stems from growing interest in the use of social media within the UCISA community. With institutional stakeholders looking increasingly to thei

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Check the TEDx talk on social media community building

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Virtual communities and social media | Jim Rawson | TEDxAugusta

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Read the conversation

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We can learn a lot about people through how they use social media. For example, Twitter language can be used to predict the risk of dying from heart disease.

Analyses of Facebook updates show women tend to be warmer than men, but just as assertive, and people high in extraversion tend to express positive emotions, whereas those with neurotic tendencies are more likely to write about being lonely and depressed.

Concerns exist about the negative effects social media can have on mental health, especially for young people.

The incidence of cyberbullying, sexting and victimisation has risen. People manage their profiles, presenting an image of a perfect life, while hiding real struggles they might have. Despite having thousands of "friends", some people still feel completely alone.

The potential for social media to be used to detect signs of mental illness is reflected in Facebook's implementation of a suicide watch program.

What to look for in your use of social media

Is there a way to tell if your use of social media is healthy or reflective of underlying mental health conditions?

With my colleagues, PhD student Liz Seabrook and Dr Nikki Rickard, we recently conducted a systematic review of 70 different studies that linked social media use to depression, anxiety and mental well being. Turns out, social media is not all good, nor all bad. It's more about how you use it.

If you are concerned about your own social media use or that of a family member, here are some aspects to look out for.

1. Content and tone

One of the main things that distinguished users who reported high well-being versus those with depression or anxiety was what they wrote about and how they wrote it.

Depressed people used a lot more negative language, reflecting on things that were going wrong, or complaining about life or other people. They posted angry thoughts and emotions.

After writing a post, take a moment to read through it. What is the tone? Consider ways you can focus on some of the good things that happen in your life, not just the negative.

wentongg/flickr, CC BY

2. Quality

After a conversation with a friend, sometimes I feel really good about the conversation. Other times I don't.

Similarly, we found the quality of interactions on social media made a big difference. Depression related to negative interactions with other people, being more critical, cutting others down or feeling criticised by others, and hostility.

In contrast, by supporting and encouraging others and feeling supported by them, it can help you feel good.

3. Time online

A recent Australian survey found adults spend over two hours a day using social media. It also found more than 50% of young people are heavy social media users, with one quarter reporting being constantly connected.

Instagram/becjudd Dec 14 2016

In our review, some studies found depressed users spent more time online while other studies were inconclusive.

Notably, no study found spending more time online was a good thing.

This is something to keep on the radar as people spend more and more time connected to their devices. Many young people have a fear of missing out (FOMO), and thus stay constantly connected. Indeed, in our review we found feeling addicted to social media was associated with higher levels of depression.

We see growing evidence that simplifying life, including spending time offline, has health and well-being benefits.

If you feel concerned about how much time passes by while you are online, consider stepping away from social media for a few days.

4. Passive versus active use

Some people post many updates, providing blow-by-blow descriptions of their lives. Others read through news feeds, liking posts and passing interesting tidbits on to others.

In our review, simply reading posts and browsing news feeds did not positively or negatively impact well-being.

The difference was for active users: those who posted their thoughts and feelings and responded to others. People who were depressed posted a lot of negative content. Those who were happy actively engaged with other users, sharing their lives.

5. Social comparisons

Social media provides opportunities to compare ourselves with others, for better or for worse.

Social media can provide support groups that can help spur you on towards reaching a specific goal. For example, the Strengths Challenge used social networks to encourage people to look for good things about themselves and their co-workers, resulting in higher levels of well-being.

But comparing yourselves with others can also be quite destructive. Depressed individuals were more likely to see others as better than them. Envy plays a particularly destructive role.

If you find yourself jealous of friends and others in your network, it might be a good time to disconnect and find other sources to build up your self esteem.

6. Motivation

Why do you use social media? People who used social media to connect with friends felt it contributed to their well-being.

In contrast, those who were depressed sought out social support on social media, but felt like their friends were letting them down.

If you are feeling lonely and trying to fill a void through social media, it could be doing more harm than good.

Take a good look at yourself

Social media is here to stay. It offers a great way to connect with others, but can also exacerbate social anxieties that exist in the offline world.

So how do you best use social media? Take a few minutes to think about how social media makes you or your family and friends feel. Is it a positive addition to your life, or does it make you feel bad, consuming time and energy you could use in other ways?

By taking stock of your social media habits, it can help you choose ways - and encourage others - to use it in a manner that keeps you healthy.

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How to be a healthy user of social media

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We can learn a lot about people through how they use social media. For example, Twitter language can be used to predict the risk of dying from heart disease. Analyses of Facebook updates show women tend to be warmer than men, but just as assertive, and people high in extraversion tend to express positive emotions, whereas those with neurotic tendencies are more likely to write about being lonely and depressed.

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TEDx collaborative problem solving

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Howard Rheingold: The new power of collaboration

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Howard Rheingold talks about the coming world of collaboration, participatory media and collective action -- and how Wikipedia is really an outgrowth of our natural human instinct to work as a group.

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Use the Jisc Toolkit

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About building digital capability

Workplaces are changing. It is estimated that, in 20 years' time, 90% of all jobs will require people to work with digital technologies. Already, many firms struggle to recruit workers with digital skills.

To live, learn and work in a digital society, your students need to develop the digital skills that employers want now, as well as the confidence and deeper-seated capabilities that will enable them to progress in their careers and adapt to emerging technologies. Our own research shows that students expect their college or university to deliver this alongside their degree or vocational training.

Developing digital confidence

What building digital capability offers

Access to our discovery tool

Our discovery tool allows staff and students to reflect on their digital capabilities and helps you to:

Identify current strengths and areas for development

Give staff and students a personalised report with suggested next steps and resources

Surface your local development opportunities

Provide a picture of how your staff and students feel about their digital skills with data dashboards

Organisational models

These show what a digitally capable organisation might look like

Provides a step-by-step approach to help you wherever you are on your journey

Advice and guidance

A community of practice

Training and consultancy

Benefits to your organisation

The service will enable your organisation to: ​

Support digital leaders and equip them to plan an effective digital transformation

Help staff understand why digital capability matters

Help students develop digital skills that will prepare them for the workplace of the future

Engage in conversations about digital skills using a common language

Enable the reward and recognition of digital skills

Get more value from your investment in digital

Capture data to inform future investment decisions

Benchmark your progress against peer organisations

Case studies

Freeing students and staff from the confines of the classroom

University of Wales Trinity Saint David is using a consistent, collaborative engagement approach to encourage take-up of assessment and training. This helps people feel comfortable to explore new ways of working. Read the full story (pdf).

Using technologies creatively and consistently to support student learning

In a little over a year, Leeds Trinity University implemented the building digital capability discovery tool, created a buzz about it and embedded it into key HR processes. Read the full case study (pdf).

Creating a digitally enabled organisation

Our building digital capability and digital experience insights services are a direct response to the challenges you told us you face. See how combining them can really make your investment count (pdf).

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Left panel - Our digital experience insights surveys provide powerful data to help you understand how your students, staff and researchers are using the technology you offer. Use this to form strategic and operational decisions about the digital environment.

Centre panel - Our building digital capabilities service includes our innovative discovery tool that provides detailed, anonymised data on the digital capabilities and needs of your staff and students. Improve digital capabilities using organisational and national benchmarking data.

Right panel - Vital data that informs and evidences year-on-year improvements.

Explore building digital capability

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Equipping your staff and students to thrive in a digital world.

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develop intercultural awareness and networks

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develop intercultural awareness and networks

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Try WeChat

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China's WeChat Goes Beyond Social Networking

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China's WeChat, known as a cross between WhatsApp and Facebook, aims to be part of every aspect of your daily life. WSJ's Menglin Huang explains how it works.

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Case study from a PhD students

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Kingston Stories: Kavita explains the use of social media in her PhD studies at Kingston University

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As part of the Kingston Stories project we look at the research being undertaken by Kavita, a PhD student whose Doctoral thesis is titled: Facebook friendship groups: using descriptive social norms to shape sustainability practices.

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Try PebblePad

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Enhancing students reflective practice and personal development using Pebble Pad, a pilot study.

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In a series of short video CLIPPs, staff from across the University share their Best Practice in teaching and learning, talking about contemporary issues, how they worked to solve these problems and improve the student experience. From working with large groups, improving networking skills and raising Intercultural awareness.

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From TED Ed

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5 tips to improve your critical thinking - Samantha Agoos

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Try peerwise