Social media was supposed to bring us closer together, but the reality is that it has become a major contributor to rising rates of anxiety, depression, and other mental health issues. The endless comparison to others' curated online personas, the fear of missing out, cyberbullying, and exposure to harmful content have taken a severe toll, especially on young people. Shockingly, a study found that nearly 1 in 4 teenagers say social media has a mostly negative effect on their life.
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Shimmy is pioneering a new approach to social media that puts mental health and well-being first. By delivering safe, adaptable, and contextual community feeds through "Shimmies" purpose-built for things like fitness initiatives, charity campaigns, and valuable shared interests, we avoid many of the pitfalls of traditional social platforms. Creating a Shimmy connects you with your real-world contacts from your phone's address book rather than strangers, reducing unwanted exposure.
The purposeful nature of 'Shimmies' also avoids the mindless doom-scrolling and negative social comparison that plagues mainstream social media. Each Shimmy has a specific intent or goal in mind, whether that's getting fit, giving back to your community, or simply sharing fulfilling hobbies and passions with friends. This focus on meaningful engagement and impact aligns with what experts recommend for positive mental health outcomes from social technology.
As we observe #MentalHealthAwarenessWeek, it's critical that we re-evaluate the societal impacts of how we connect online. Shimmy represents a step forward by keeping community-building grounded in reality with trusted connections, avoiding the endless content churn, and prioritising value-driven digital spaces. We envision a world where social media shifts from being a detriment to mental health to being a force for positivity.
