For many young adult carers, social media is a big part of everyday life. Whether you’re keeping in touch with friends, watching videos to relax, joining support groups, or sharing your experiences, being online can offer connection and comfort when things feel stressful.
But while social media can be a positive space, it’s important to recognise that it can also impact our wellbeing if we’re not careful. Like most things, it’s about finding the right balance.
📱 The Positives of social media
Social media can be a valuable tool, especially for young adult carers who may sometimes feel isolated or have less free time than their peers.
Some of the benefits include:
- Staying connected with friends and family when caring responsibilities make it difficult to meet in person.
- Accessing information and advice about health, wellbeing, education, careers, and caring.
- Finding communities of people with similar experiences, helping you feel understood and less alone.
- Creative expression, whether through sharing photos, videos, artwork, writing, or hobbies.
- Relaxation and entertainment after a busy day.
For many young adult carers, social media can provide a sense of belonging and remind them that there are others facing similar challenges.
⚠️ The Negatives of social media
While social media has many positives, it’s not always a perfect reflection of reality.
People often share the highlights of their lives—the achievements, holidays, celebrations, and happy moments—rather than the difficult days behind the scenes.
Spending too much time scrolling can sometimes lead to:
- Feeling like you’re missing out on experiences that other people seem to be having.
- Increased stress or anxiety.
- Difficulty switching off and relaxing.
- Sleep disruption, especially when using devices late at night.
- Feeling pressure to always be available or respond immediately.
- Exposure to negative or upsetting content.
It’s important to remember that what you see online is often a carefully chosen snapshot, not the full picture.
💭 Comparing Yourself to Others
One of the biggest challenges of social media is comparison.
You might find yourself looking at other people’s posts and thinking:
- “Everyone else seems happier than me.”
- “They’re achieving so much more.”
- “Why doesn’t my life look like that?”
- “I should be doing more.”
As a young adult carer, these feelings can be especially difficult. You may see friends travelling, going to events, socialising frequently, or focusing entirely on their own goals while you are balancing caring responsibilities at home.
However, comparison can be unfair because you’re often comparing your real life to someone else’s highlight reel.
Remember:
✨ You are on your own journey.
✨ Your responsibilities do not define your worth.
✨ Success looks different for everyone.
✨ Social media rarely shows the full story.
Instead of comparing yourself to others, try reflecting on your own progress. Think about how far you’ve come, what challenges you’ve overcome, and the strengths you’ve developed through your experiences.
⏰ Managing Screen Time
When social media becomes a habit, it’s easy to spend far more time online than we realise.
Digital wellbeing isn’t about completely avoiding social media—it’s about using it in a way that supports your mental health rather than harms it.
Some ways to manage screen time include:
Set Boundaries
Choose specific times of day to check social media rather than constantly refreshing apps.
Create Device-Free Time
Try putting your phone away during meals, study sessions, family time, or before bed.
Monitor Your Usage
Many smartphones include screen time reports that show how long you’re spending on different apps.
Follow Positive Content
Unfollow or mute accounts that make you feel stressed, pressured, or unhappy. Follow creators and communities that inspire, educate, or support you.
Take Regular Breaks
If scrolling starts feeling draining rather than enjoyable, take a break and do something offline instead.
Prioritise Sleep
Try avoiding screens for at least 30–60 minutes before going to bed. Good sleep is an important part of overall wellbeing.
Small changes can make a big difference in how you feel both online and offline.
🤝 Finding Trustworthy Online Support Communities
The internet can be a fantastic place to find support, but not every online space is reliable or safe.
When looking for support communities, ask yourself:
- Is the organisation well-known and reputable?
- Are moderators keeping the space respectful and safe?
- Does the information come from trusted sources?
- Does the community make me feel supported rather than judged?
Some trusted organisations include:
💛 Carers Support West Sussex
Support, advice, and services for unpaid carers across West Sussex.
🧠 YoungMinds
Information and support for young people about mental health, wellbeing, and life challenges.
🌐 https://www.youngminds.org.uk
💬 The Mix
Free support for under-25s covering mental health, relationships, work, money, and wellbeing.
🌐 https://www.themix.org.uk
🤝 Carers Trust
Support, resources, and information specifically for young carers and young adult carers.
🌐 https://carers.org
If an online community leaves you feeling anxious, pressured, or unsafe, it’s okay to leave. A supportive space should help you feel understood, respected, and empowered.
💛 Final Thoughts
Social media can be an amazing way to connect, learn, and find support—but it’s important to use it mindfully.
As a young adult carer, your time, energy, and wellbeing are valuable. Try to remember that what you see online isn’t the whole story, and your journey doesn’t need to look like anyone else’s.
✨ You don’t need to compare your life to somebody else’s.
✨ It’s okay to take breaks from social media.
✨ Your wellbeing matters both online and offline.
✨ Real-life connections, rest, and self-care are just as important as staying connected digitally.
Finding balance won’t look the same for everyone, and that’s okay. The goal isn’t to spend less time online—it’s to make sure your online life supports your wellbeing, rather than taking away from it.
Take care,
Young Adult Carers Team 💛
