Social Media Toxicity

The detrimental impacts of social media use, particularly its potential to worsen mental health issues such as anxiety, depression, body image concerns, and social comparisons among both youth and adults, are a significant factor affecting the well-being of community members and the social cohesion of communities. This trend towards a toxic social media environment has implications for urban planning.

Given this context, it becomes increasingly important for planners to be well-versed in social media. Planning departments might need to develop specific strategies for engaging with social media and programs to protect their staff from negative effects.

While planners cannot alter the intrinsic nature of social media and its potential toxicity, they can adapt their methods of engagement and response to these platforms. This involves understanding the dynamics of social media, recognizing its influence on community well-being, and integrating this awareness into planning and community engagement strategies. This approach helps ensure that planners remain effective and responsive in a landscape increasingly influenced by digital social interactions.