Maintaining healthy lifestyle behaviours in the era of social media: Challenges and solutions

Abstract

Objective

To examine the dual role of social media in influencing lifestyle behaviours relevant to chronic disease prevention and to propose strategies that align digital environments with public health objectives.

Methods

This commentary synthesizes recent evidence on the associations between social media use and health behaviours, including physical activity, nutrition, sleep, and sedentary time. It draws on research from public health, behavioural science, and digital media studies to highlight both risks and opportunities.

Results

Evidence shows that prolonged and unregulated social media engagement contributes to increased sedentary time, sleep disruption, poor dietary choices, exposure to targeted marketing of unhealthy products, unrealistic body ideals, and health misinformation. Conversely, social media can be harnessed to promote behaviour change through scalable interventions such as social support, self-monitoring, and goal setting.

Conclusions

Addressing the challenges posed by social media requires coordinated, multi-level strategies. These include redesigning digital environments with health-promoting defaults, regulating harmful commercial exposures, leveraging platforms for evidence-based health promotion, strengthening digital literacy, and introducing school-based smartphone restrictions. Aligning platform design and governance with public health goals is essential to mitigating risks, supporting healthy behaviours, and improving population health outcomes.