Michelle Obama understands the challenges of living in the public eye, which is why she is mindful of her social media use.
During a live taping of her IMO podcast—cohosted with her brother, Craig Robinson—at SXSW on Thursday, Obama shared her top strategy for safeguarding herself and her family online.
“People always ask me and Barack, how did we stay hopeful in, not just the eight years that we were in the White House, but beyond?” Obama said, according to People.
The former first lady shared that she and her husband, Barack Obama, endured “a lot of negative energy” fueled by widespread rumors, including speculation about his nationality and whether he attended Harvard.
“But through it all, what kept us sane — and we tried to instill this in our daughters — is, you cannot live through social media,” Obama said. “I don’t think I have ever once looked at a comment section, period.”
She explained that the comments made by internet users are often false because they come from “people who don’t know you.”
“That doesn’t mean you don’t stay informed, but staying informed has nothing to do with the comment section. It has everything to do with the content of the stories that you take in,” Obama said.
“I think we cannot get so trapped by social media that we feel so caught up into the one way we get information. We’ve got to broaden our spectrum, and we have to get off the phone,” she added.
According to Avast Academy, an internet platform that provides expert guides, tips, and advice on digital security, online privacy, and device performance “content creators, who often rely on social platforms for their livelihoods, face persistent harassment.”
The research adds that, “a staggering 95% have experienced some form of cyberbullying, causing many to leave platforms temporarily or permanently. The mental health toll is significant across all groups, with nearly all victims reporting adverse effects. Cyberbullying perpetuates a vicious cycle of social anxiety and increases the likelihood of depression and suicidal thoughts.”
