B10-Social Media Access and Equity

   

        Access and equity in social media are crucial topics that intersect deeply with mental health, self-care, and wellbeing, especially within the context of using cooking and nature as therapeutic practices. While social media has the potential to be a powerful platform for community-building, education, and personal expression, it also reflects and reinforces broader social inequalities. When considering self-care through cooking and nature, access to social media plays a significant role in how individuals learn about these practices, engage with supportive communities, and feel empowered to prioritize their well-being.

        Social media allows people to share their self-care journeys, recipes, nature experiences, and personal reflections in real time. This creates a sense of shared experience and connection that can be incredibly validating and uplifting. For someone struggling with anxiety or burnout, finding a reel of someone mindfully preparing a meal or taking a quiet walk in the woods can offer inspiration, comfort, and ideas for how to slow down and reset. In this way, social media becomes more than a tool—it becomes a lifeline. However, this resource is not equally available to all. Lack of access—due to financial constraints, technological barriers, or geographic limitations—can exclude people from this online culture of care.

        Those without reliable internet access or modern devices miss out on the opportunity to explore new self-care methods, connect with like-minded communities, and participate in the dialogue surrounding mental wellness. This digital divide often disproportionately affects rural populations, low-income individuals, older adults, and marginalized communities. For example, someone in a food desert might rely on social media to discover affordable, nutritious recipes and creative cooking hacks. Without access, they lose a potential support system that could empower them with knowledge and encouragement. Similarly, those in urban areas with limited access to green space may find virtual nature walks or gardening communities a helpful substitute. Without this access, the gap in health and well-being only widens.

        Furthermore, the absence of diverse voices on social media due to access barriers skews the conversation around self-care. What is often presented as a universal approach—forest bathing, meal prepping, or growing herbs on a balcony—can actually become a narrow, privileged view. When certain groups can’t share their experiences or adaptations, our collective understanding of self-care remains incomplete. This leads to a one-size-fits-all narrative that doesn’t serve everyone and risks alienating those who might benefit the most from it.

        On a broader scale, the lack of access to social media tools has cultural and educational implications. Social media is not just a space for entertainment; it’s an informal classroom, a mental health forum, a community kitchen, and a collective garden. When people can’t access these digital spaces, they’re excluded from modern educational methods, evolving cultural trends, and even job opportunities, especially in wellness and lifestyle industries. Businesses based on cooking or nature retreats may rely on social media to reach new audiences, share knowledge, and promote healing practices. Individuals without access may be shut out of these economic opportunities entirely.

        In conclusion, social media access is more than being online—it’s about inclusion in a cultural, educational, and emotional ecosystem. For those using cooking and nature as self-care, social media can be an essential tool for discovery and connection. But when access is limited, it reinforces existing disparities and prevents self-care practices from reaching those who could benefit most. If we want to build a more equitable and healthy society, we need to ensure that everyone has the tools and opportunities to care for themselves, both online and off.