Social Media on Emotional Intelligence

Last April 6-9, we had our 62nd Annual Philippine Pediatric Society Convention in Manila. One of the topics that had a relevance on today’s generation was the lecture of Dr. Maria Lourdes A. Carandang entitled, “The Impact of Social Media on Emotional Intelligence”.  

I wish to re echo Dr. Carandang’s lecture in this issue for us to better understand our children and to better guide them grow upright.

Dr. Carandang said that our world and mental health now can be better described as:

–         Toxic Politics

–         Fake news

–         Digital addiction

–         Lack of respect for human dignity

–         Hate and violence

–         And the intrusive presence of social media

The social media is a source of distractibility. Children have difficulty in concentration and focus because of their digital addiction. 

This can cause them to have anxiety, depression and incidence of suicide. 

Social media has a negative effect on emotions, too. It could intensify hate and violence. 

Dr. Carandang said and I quote, “No time to Pause, Rest and Reflect. No Quiet time and No time for Play”.

So, it is very important for us to understand emotional intelligence. What is emotional intelligence? 

Our speaker explained that this is the ability to regulate one’s emotions. It is self awareness and acceptance, awareness of other people’s feelings, social skills and the ability to relate and communicate with others. 

To be able to have emotional intelligence, we should be mindful. Dr. Carandang described mindfulness as being aware of what is happening inside us and around us at the present moment. 

  • It is being non-judgemental. 
  • It is being kind. 

We should develop the ability to be totally present at the moment. Like, if someone is talking to you, you should be truly present and listening not that you are tinkering on your cellphones.

There are different ways of expressing emotions, these are:

–         Play

–         Expressive arts

–         Movement

–         Sports

–         Writing

In play, one has the capacity to reverse the process of being powerless under strong external forces. 

In practicing Mindfullness, children can go within themselves, can capture their emotions and thoughts and can make them face the outside world. 

Dr. Carandang ended her lecture by stating, “With increased emotional intelligence, we can do a lot for our troubled world. We can be KIND”.