It’s no secret that social media is hurting our mental health, especially young people. 

So, should we set a screen time limit or delete Instagram? 

Do we dare join the “new Luddites”? 

Dr. ​​Arthur C. Brooks, professor at Harvard Business School, doesn’t think so. 

In this video from The Well, he explains why social media has caused an increase in loneliness–and how a simple change in our approach to social media use can strengthen our friendships. 

According to Brooks, social media makes us feel more alone because it doesn’t promote the production of Oxytocin–a hormone that helps us feel connection and trust. 

When we spend time with our loved ones in person, our brain produces Oxytocin. 

But this doesn’t happen when we connect via screens–Oxytocin requires eye contact and touch. 

“That’s a lot of the reason why we have a loneliness epidemic. We’re trying to mediate our relationship with tools that don’t do a good job,” he says. 

However, Brooks isn’t advocating for a social media ban. 

Instead, he explains that we can use social media to complement our in-person relationships rather than act as a substitute. 

So, DM your besties the super cute Moo Deng meme. (Or five.) But also be sure to lock down those face-to-face plans to gush about her in person.

And when the plans finally make it out of the group chat, put down the phone and be present.

Your mental health will thank you.

This post draws upon a series of videos produced by The Well, a publication and video channel produced by the John Templeton Foundation and BigThink.