Larissa May, a former fashion blogger and influencer, found herself addicted to social media after a near-fatal incident in 2014. Spending upwards of 10 hours a day on her phone, posting and scrolling to gain likes and followers, May created a carefully curated online persona while battling eating disorders, depression, and suicidal thoughts in real life. Despite seeking help at the campus Psychological Care Center, May was never educated on the dangers of social media on her mental health.
As social media began to take over society in 2014, May’s experience with the negative impacts of social media fame inspired her to launch #HalftheStory, a movement aimed at sharing the untold, vulnerable side of people’s lives that wasn’t represented online. The movement quickly grew into a nonprofit dedicated to helping young people reframe their relationship with technology and understand the emotional impact of their digital habits.
May’s story highlights the dangers of social media addiction, particularly in adolescents whose developing brains are more susceptible to the dopamine feedback loop created by social media use. As warnings about excessive tech use become more prominent, it’s clear that moderation and education are key to using social media in a way that promotes connection rather than harm. May’s advocacy work focuses on empowering young people to understand how technology can affect their mental health and engage with social media in a healthy way.
