The social media platform Instagram made headlines last year for suppressing likes in an effort to curb the comparisons and hurt feelings associated with attaching popularity to sharing content. But do these efforts make us less depressed or anxious, or are they simply applying a band-aid to a wound?

Why are more people depressed than ever in history? Why is depression the leading cause of disability worldwide? Why do teens who spend more time on electronic devices have more suicide risk factors? And why has self-harm more than tripled among teenage girls in a 6-year period?

The media we take in every day can have a deep impact on our thinking, behavior, and emotions. Throughout the pandemic, more people than ever have fallen into the habit of paying constant attention to the news, at once stimulated and drained by endless stories about COVID-19, political happenings, and the challenges facing our country. While it may seem responsible to stay up to date, engaging in the ceaseless hamster wheel of information can take a toll on your physical, emotional, and mental health.

Although there are many factors today that contribute to depression, at this Open Diner we'll take a look at one of them: the media.