Our Advocacy Work - Social Media

Policy Position Statement: Social Media, Mental Health, and Community Protection

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Community Calm is a grassroots, not-for-profit organisation delivering nature-based, peer-supported wellbeing services across Berkshire and Slough. We work closely with individuals experiencing mental health challenges, social isolation, trauma, and recovery. Based on this direct, sustained engagement, we are increasingly concerned about the impact of social media on mental health and community wellbeing.

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While digital platforms can offer connection, they are currently characterised by the widespread dissemination of unverified information, prescriptive advice, and absolute claims presented as fact. Even when content is referenced, it reflects individual interpretation rather than universal truth. For individuals in recovery, such environments can undermine autonomy, increase confusion, and exacerbate distress.

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Lived experience from our members consistently highlights the emotional harm associated with social media use.

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A frequently expressed sentiment is:

“When I’m on social media, it feels like everyone else is having a good time. It makes me feel very lonely and sad.”

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This perceived norm of constant positivity and success fuels comparison, shame, and isolation—particularly for people already vulnerable due to mental ill health, disability, trauma, or social exclusion. Algorithm-driven content amplification further intensifies these effects, with limited safeguards in place to protect users.

In response, Community Calm has taken the principled decision to remain off social media platforms. This decision reflects our duty of care to the communities we support and our commitment to creating environments that prioritise safety, reflection, and genuine human connection. We believe voluntary organisational withdrawal should not be necessary, but in the current regulatory landscape, it is a protective measure.

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We strongly advocate for stronger government intervention and regulation to address the public mental health implications of social media.

 

This includes:

• Greater accountability for misinformation and unqualified health advice

• Regulation of algorithms that promote harmful comparison and emotional distress

• Improved transparency around content moderation and platform design

• Recognition of social media harm as a public health issue

 

At Community Calm, we support recovery approaches that are reflective rather than prescriptive, trauma-aware rather than directive, and grounded in lived experience. Our work demonstrates the value of non-digital, nature-based, peer-supported interventions as protective factors for mental wellbeing.

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We urge policymakers to act decisively to ensure digital environments do not undermine community health, and to support alternatives that foster reflection, connection, and resilience. Protecting mental health—particularly for vulnerable populations—must remain a national priority.

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Community Calm CIC. 2026.