While mobility and social media have connected the world, they\u2019ve also created a new door for negative attitudes and behaviors to enter our lives. Several studies in recent years have investigated possible links between social media and smartphone use with poor mental health, including symptoms of depression and anxiety [1]. And with politicians, celebrities and even brands increasingly involved in public arguments online, people are often compelled into online fights of their own, with one poll revealing that more than half of the public engage in online arguments [2].<\/p>\n\n
Meanwhile social isolation is a modern epidemic [3] which affects people of all ages. A recent study among U.S. adults pointed to 30 percent of millennials feeling lonely \u2013 the highest rate of all age groups surveyed [4].<\/p>\n\n
\u201cAlthough we\u2019re using our phones to communicate 24\/7, many often feel worse mentally, not happier,\u201d said Jonathan Bean, Sinch\u2019s Chief Marketing Officer. \u201cPeople are rightly asking tough questions of the digital and social tech that\u2019s become so ingrained in our lives so quickly. It prompted us to think \u2013 what if we could harness mobile communication as a pushback against online negativity, instead of a trigger? It\u2019s why we\u2019ve partnered with Mental Health America to take on online negativity, one positive text at time. We all love our phones, but it\u2019s time for our phones to love us back.\u201d<\/p>\n\n
\u201cMHA is thrilled to be partnering with Sinch on this incredible initiative,\u201d said Paul Gionfriddo, president and CEO, Mental Health America. \u201cWe know there is a lot of negativity online these days \u2013 and by taking a minute to deliver a simple, positive message to someone who may need it, each of us can help brighten someone\u2019s day and lift up their overall mental well-being.\u201d<\/p>\n\n #TextForHumanity has a broad and inclusive reach given the fact that most mobile devices have SMS capability. It\u2019s easy for anyone with even the most basic phone to become a part of #TextForHumanity, by following four simple steps:<\/p>\n\n In any 24-hour period, users can send and receive up to five positive texts from strangers around the world, and can opt out at any time by simply replying STOP to the service.<\/p>\n\n![\"textforhumanity](\"https:\/\/sinch.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/TFH_visual_041-1536x923-1.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n
1. Example studies include:<\/a><\/h6>\n\n
\n
Niall McCrae, Sheryl Gettings, Edward Purssell (2017). Social Media and Depressive Symptoms in Childhood and Adolescence: A Systematic Review.<\/a> Adolescent Research Review volume 2, pages 315\u2013330.<\/h6>
<\/li>\n\n\n\nCheever, N.A., Rosen, L.D., Carrier, L.M., & Chavez, A. (2014). Out of sight is not out of mind: The impact of restricting wireless mobile device use on anxiety levels among low, moderate and high users. Computers in Human Behavior, 37, 290-297.<\/h6>
<\/li>\n\n\n\nNdasauka Y, Hou J, Wang Y, Yang L et al. (2016) Excessive use of Twitter among college students in the UK: Validation of the Microblog Excessive Use Scale and relationship to social interaction and loneliness. Computers in Human Behavior, 55, 963-971.<\/h6>
<\/li>\n\n\n\nLee-Won R J, Herzog L & Gwan Park S (2015) Hooked on Facebook: The role of social anxiety and need for social assurance in problematic use of Facebook. Cyberpsychol. Behav. Soc. Netw., 18, 567-574.<\/h6>
<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n2. The Webby Awards, YouGov (2019). Under the Influence 2020 Trend Report.<\/a><\/h6>\n\n
3. Health Resources & Services Administration (2019). The Loneliness Epidemic<\/a><\/h6>\n\n
4. YouGov (2019). Millennials are the loneliest generation.<\/a><\/h6>\n","protected":false},"author":19,"featured_media":17936,"template":"","news_category":[592],"class_list":["post-189111","news","type-news","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","news_category-pressemitteilungen"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n