As a kid, I never cared much about what people thought of me. In fact, it rarely crossed my mind since I was too busy spending my time exploring the woods in my neighborhood with my friends and building tree forts with my brother. I was never afraid to get dirty or get a skinned knee. My parents were somewhat against technology, so they were big advocates of getting outside and exercising. But alas, as we grew up to become teenagers, social media slowly began consuming not only our time but also our world (it’s not like my parents were so against technology that we didn’t have cell phones or computers).

After school, I found myself immediately sitting at my computer to go on Facebook. Hours would pass, and finally, I would look away and wonder where the heck did the time go. All of a sudden, I cared about how many “likes” a profile picture got and how many Facebook friends I had. I felt the need to stay updated on people’s day-to-day activities. I felt left out when albums went up with pictures from parties or gatherings that I was not invited to.

Isn’t worrying about one image enough for a teenage adolescent?

Soon, I came to find that the in-person version of myself suddenly felt the need to keep up with the online version. On Facebook I could edit my photos, making my skin look airbrushed or perfecting my makeup. Naturally, I came to feel the need to look perfect in real life too. In one study done in 2014, researchers found that frequent use of social networking sites like Facebook can have detrimental effects on one’s well-being and self-evaluation.

Now that I am aware of the serious consequences and self-esteem issues this need to be picture perfect is having on young teens, especially young women, I cannot help but notice it all over social media. Many young girls feel like they need to look like models on Facebook or Instagram. There are apps that can make you skinnier or that let you apply makeup virtually. I know this is a worrisome problem, yet this is still something even I struggle with to this day. Luckily, I have found ways to counteract it. I no longer waste my time airbrushing my profile photos and I let my friends put embarrassing but funny photos up of me, trying not to care about how others may perceive them.

The idea that social media and video games are consuming our future generations and us may not come as a new concept to many of you. But the real question is what can we do about it?

No, I am not going to suggest you throw your iPhone away or get rid of your Facebook and go live in a cabin in the middle of woods for the rest of your life, although some people may find that intriguing. Instead, what I have found that helps me is taking the time to get away and enjoy the natural things in life. Leave your cell phone at home for a day and go for a hike. If that makes you feel unsocial, then take a few friends with you. I have always found that the some of the best conversations I have had with friends have been while enjoying nature together and being active. Don’t bring your cell phone to dinners or outings; be present, be in the moment.

If you want to take pictures, bring an actual camera and not your cell phone. Force yourself to talk in person or over the phone despite how much it might scare you. Delete Snapchat or Facebook for the summer or for spring break. Instead of Yikyak, kayak. Enjoying time away from the anxieties and expectations of social media and society in general can make a huge impact on your self-esteem.

Ultimately, my suggestion for teenagers and young adults out there struggling with anxiety, social issues and low self-esteem often caused by social media, television and media in general would be to find something outdoors that you love to do. Find your inner kid again. Nothing is more rejuvenating than a change of pace, a change of scenery, new sights and new sounds. Don’t get stuck in routine or in the mundane. Explore.