How can social media consumption negatively impact feelings of isolation?

It fosters unfair social comparison through the display of curated highlights.

Social media often presents a carefully curated version of other people's lives, focusing only on highlights and positive experiences. When someone is struggling with isolation, viewing these curated posts frequently leads to unfair social comparison, where the individual feels like the only person experiencing difficulties. To mitigate this, it is recommended to shift from passive consumption—where one mindlessly scrolls and absorbs these images—to active consumption. This involves curating one's feed by muting or unfollowing accounts that trigger negative self-judgment, or seeking out communities dedicated to mutual support.