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Social Media Addiction
What it is and how it can affect you
On March 26th, a young woman won a 6-million-dollar lawsuit against META , the company that owns Instagram, Facebook and WhatsApp as well as Google, owner of YouTube. Why? She noticed that the apps were built to be intentionally addictive which in turn, profoundly affects the mental health of whoever uses said apps.
How Does Social Media Effect Mental Health?
Even though social media is a great way to connect with others, it can also negatively impact our wellbeing in many ways. Not only can it increase feelings of anxiety and depression but it can also:
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What is Social Media Addiction?
Social media addiction is a behavioural addiction where one obsessively uses and focuses on social media despite the negative consequences. Addictive social media use usually looks like any other substance use disorder and includes signs like:
Mood Modification
Engagement in social media leads to a favourable change in emotional states such as anxiety.
Building Healthy Habits
Behavioural, cognitive, and emotional preoccupation with social media meaning that you have to have social media with you at all times and you have to check it at all times.
Tolerance
The ever-increasing use of social media over time causes you to stop feeling the same rush of dopamine the more you use it.
Withdrawal Symptoms
When you try to stop using social media you end up experiencing unpleasant physical and emotional symptoms such as insomnia and an increase in irritability.
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Fun Fact: Social media platforms produce the same neural circuitry that is seen in those with a gambling addiction, as it is largely associated with dopamine induction (dopamine being the “feel good” hormone in the brain). |
How Do You Safely Use Social Media?
It’s impossible to avoid social media in this day and age but what you can do is control how you use it. Here are some tips on how to use social media in a way that
Actively Engage: Simply viewing images and reading messages may cause loneliness. This is also true with aimlessly scrolling. In turn, try to have a purpose for logging on whether that to be to post your own content or find entertainment, just try to actually interact with others to create a sense of community instead of being passive.
Use Critical Thinking: Social media is full of misinformation but also disappointment and negativity. Make sure to always double check sources and to remind yourself that no one’s life is ever as perfect as what it may seem like on social media
Be Selective: Follow people who inspire you and make you feel good. When you see things that don’t make you feel good, use the settings of the video to train your algorithm by following these steps or watch the video below !
Ready to make social media work for you? You don’t have to do it alone! Our team of therapists can help you tackle social media addiction so that you feel better about your social media use and about yourself overall.
