By Anya Patterson // Social Media + Mental Health // EEW Magazine Online

Outrage is the currency of the Internet. When you get big mad, big media gets paid. However, while divisive new corporations’ bank accounts increase which is a good thing, your overall mental well-being decreases which is a bad thing.

Is it really worth it?

Isn’t it about time to say enough is enough and opt out of the anger, hostility, and divisiveness that is consuming online culture and creating a toxic environment?  If you are sick of being used as a pawn to drive clicks and views at the expense of your sanity, here are 5 ways to avoid the emotional inferno inherent in online culture these days.

#1 Take a Break: When you feel yourself getting mad, it’s okay to click away from the triggering news story or social media conversation and regroup. Disengagement at times is necessary. Periodic Internet fasts, withdrawing from nonessential online interaction altogether, can be a healthy way to get away from it all and refocus.

#2 Ask Questions: Most people mindlessly click from post to post and get outraged over heavily edited clips or brief snippets that lack context. Few people ask questions, dig deeper, or do their own research. Like sheep, they mindlessly follow trends without realizing they are being manipulated. As a result, they draw incorrect conclusions based on half-truths, clickbait, biases, and sensationalized headlines.

#3 Turn off Emotions: Today, we consume far more information than previous generations ever did. We have access to more opinions, commentary, and misinformation than is healthy. Considering this fact, it is necessary to protect your emotions when ingesting and digesting journalists’ takes and social media users’ perspectives. By turning off your emotions, you can better process facts, recognize prejudice, and give serious consideration to the real issues without the distraction of overwhelmingly negative feelings.

#4 Stay out of comment sections: Many comment sections are the toilet bowl of the Internet. Plenty of opinions stink and need to be flushed. Unfortunately, millions of people find themselves arguing with random strangers, fighting over ideological differences, and going back and forth with trolls. Don’t do it. If you cannot process opposing ideas without being sucked into useless debates that lead nowhere, just stay out of the comments.

#5 Limit your Consumption. Boundaries are necessary in every area of life. Unlimited consumption—even when consuming good things—can lead to harmful results. Ask yourself, how much time am I spending online? Am I using my time productively? Do I get sidetracked too often by foolishness and triggering content? Placing limits on your Internet time is a protective and proactive measure you should employ.

Protect your peace. Prioritize your goals. Honor your time. Limit your emotional exposure to toxicity. These are all ways to outsmart the system designed to use your outrage for its own benefit.

Don’t get mad; get smart.