Becoming a millionaire at 15 years old might sound like a dream come true, but for Jaden Ashman, it led to an obsession with social media that impacted his physical and mental health.
Jaden shot to fame by setting a Fortnite world record, earning him a million pounds. He shared his journey and advice on social media during an interview with Nicky Campbell on ±«Óătv 5 Live's Teen Summit, part of the joint 5 Live and ±«Óătv Bitesize project, Teen 24.
In 2019, Jaden made history by winning second place in the Fortnite World Cup Duos competition, earning a prize of one million pounds. The Fortnite World Cup is a prestigious event where players from around the world compete for a cash prize, with an overall prize pool of $30 million.
Social Media Experience
“I got unhealthy playing, and it impacted my relationships, body image, and mental health," Jaden shared. "Social media and tech were meant to make our lives better," he told Nicky, “but I feel like social media companies are more focused on maximising profit than on how people feel.”
He says you need to "try to detox your brain. If you’re just scrolling on TikTok, you don’t know what you’re going to see next,” and added that he’s learned taking regular breaks from social media helps with “better sleep and mental clarity.”
Jaden was speaking after a survey commissioned by 5 live and ±«Óătv Bitesize suggested half of teenagers, aged 13-18, feel anxious when they do not have their smartphones. A quarter (25%) also said they use their smartphones for more than five hours a day.
Top Tips for Healthy Social Media Use
Jaden emphasised the importance of using social media purposefully. “I feel like the best way to use social media is to, instead of just consuming content, make sure the content you are consuming works for you. Instead of letting it programme what you're thinking, create your own opinion on things and use it to your advantage.”
Despite his early success and fame, Jaden experienced the downsides of excessive gaming and social media use. He spent countless hours gaming at a highly competitive level, which took a toll on his health. “In the long run, it impacted my relationships and my body image as well,” Jaden explained. "I did take a step back from it to focus on my mental health.”
Here are some of his top tips:
1. Use Social Media Purposefully
“Instead of letting it programme what you're thinking, create your own opinion on things and use it to your advantage," he advised. “You can make so many careers, and it gives people a voice.”
2. Detox Your Brain
"Try to detox your brain. If you’re just scrolling on TikTok, you don’t know what you’re going to see next.” Taking regular breaks from social media helps with “better sleep and mental clarity.”
3. Balance Online and Offline Activities
Ensure that social media use doesn’t replace physical activity or face-to-face interactions. “I got unhealthy playing, and it impacted my relationships, body image, and mental health." Jaden shared how finding balance helped him “be the person I wanted to be, not inside the game but outside of it."
4. Curate Your Feed
Follow accounts that inspire and motivate you. “I started looking at good physiques on TikTok, which inspired me to focus on my physical and mental health."
5. Be Mindful of Your Mental Health
If you notice that social media is affecting your mood or self-esteem, step back and reassess your usage. “It’s about trying to become the best version of yourself, and you can use your phone to do that."
Speaking as part of the ±«Óătv Bitesize and 5 Live Teen 24 Summit, Jaden Ashman offered his tips on how to make social media work for you.
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