Every day, we receive dozens of messages on our phones. A Facebook post, TikTok video, WhatsApp chain message, or image shared on Instagram may appear to be “breaking news.” Some information is true; some is incomplete, exaggerated, or simply false. The problem is that when information triggers fear or outrage, our reaction can be faster than our ability to verify it.

From a mental health perspective, this situation deserves our attention. Repeated exposure to alarming messages can keep some people in a constant state of worry. When the information also involves safety, family, health, immigration, work, or the future, the emotional impact can be even greater. This scenario does not mean that a single piece of false information causes a mental disorder; it means recognizing that a digital environment filled with fear, uncertainty, and conflict can affect our emotional well-being.

Connecticut is already taking the connection between the digital environment and mental health seriously. In June 2026, legislation establishing new protections for young people against certain social media risks became law, including measures addressing addictive algorithms, notifications, and warnings about mental health risks. The message is clear: digital well-being is also part of public health.

But there is another dimension that depends on us: learning to manage the information we consume and share.

That is why I propose a simple prevention tool: digital hygiene, a term that echoes the UN's 2020 Pause campaign. Before sharing a story, pause. Ask yourself: What is the source? Is it dated? Does the information appear in reliable news or institutional sources? Am I reading the full content or just a headline? And perhaps the most important question: Do I want to share it because it has been verified or because it made me feel afraid, angry, or anxious?

Emotions matter, but they should not become our only filter for deciding what is true. When a post triggers a very strong reaction, that may be precisely the moment to stop, breathe, and verify.

We also need to reclaim the right to disconnect. Staying informed does not mean checking the news all day. We can set times to check information, choose reliable sources, and avoid content that upsets us immediately before bedtime. Parents can also turn these practices into family conversations, teaching children and teenagers that thinking before sharing is also a form of self-care.

My message to our Connecticut community is positive: we do not have to live in fear of social media. We have the ability to learn, verify, and choose. Digital platforms can help us communicate, find support, educate ourselves, and build community when we use them consciously.

Caring for our mental health also means being mindful of the information we allow to occupy space in our minds. A healthy community is not one that never faces difficult news; it is one that learns to respond with information, critical thinking, empathy, and solidarity.

Before sharing, let us breathe. Before reacting, let us verify. And before allowing a post to govern our emotions, let us remember something essential: our peace of mind also deserves protection.