ABSTRACT
Social media is computer-based technology that facilitates the sharing of ideas, thoughts, and information through the building of virtual networks and communities.Content in social media includes personal information, documents, videos, and photos. Users engage with social media via web-based software or web applications. Even though social media has many advantages and uses, psychological and behavioral dependence on social media platforms can result in significant impairment in an individual's function in various life domains over a prolonged period.
INTRODUCTION
Social media addiction is a behavioral addiction that is characterized as being overly concerned about social media, driven by an uncontrollable urge to log on to or use social media, and devoting so much time and effort to social media that it impairs other important life areas.social media is addictive both physically and psychologically. Studies reveal that self-disclosure on social networking sites lights up the same part of the brain that also ignites when taking an addictive substance.
CAUSES OF SOCIAL MEDIA ADDICTION
- Your brain loves social media notifications.
- Gives you a sense of self-worth (in theory).
- Provides continuous rewards that are not received in real life.
- Users believe that other users are happier and more successful than they are.
- Fear Of Missing Out (FOMO) can lead to compulsive checking of social media platforms to ensure that an individual isn’t missing out on anything.
Cyberbullying is where people use the electronic communication to send messages in an intimidating or threatening nature. It can be a serious issue where the victim can experience a huge amount of stress that leads to a decline in mental health. There are also cases where cyberbullying have led to suicide cases and caused death.
2. Distraction and Drop In Productivity
Many studies have found that the more people engage with social media, the less the person able to focus on his work. It leads to decreased productivity and increase in procrastination.
3. Fatigue and Stress
The information overload which occurs when you are checking social media, will wear out your brain power and make you feel fatigue.
4. Peer Pressure and the Desire to Compare
People are afraid to miss out and they love to compare themselves with other people. Over comparing yourself with other people will create anxiety and give rise to the negative feelings such as jealousy. This can evolve into a more serious issue and cause mental health disorder.
5. Other Related Health Issues
Other related health issues include blurry vision due to eye strain as the result of long hours looking at the screen, back and neck pain, Carpal tunnel syndrome (medical condition due to compression of the median nerve as it travels through the wrist at the carpal tunnel. This is due to long hours of repeating the same movement with your hands and arms), disturb sleep and causes certain side-effects from sleep deprivation.
- Get Rid of Notifications
- Limit Your Time Spent on Social Media
- Delete the Apps
- Disconnect and Unplug Oneself
- Embrace an offline hobby
- Respond offline
- Go for counselling
CONCLUSION
Social media use becomes problematic when someone views social networking sites as an important coping mechanism to relieve stress, loneliness, or depression. For these people, social media use provides continuous rewards that they’re not receiving in real life, and end up engaging in the activity more and more. This continuous use eventually leads to multiple interpersonal problems, such as ignoring real life relationships, work or school responsibilities, and physical health, which may then exacerbate an individual’s undesirable moods.Social media can be a great way to connect with people, but one must not neglect the importance of physical communication with others, too. One should never let these online social platforms take away his/her precious time or control their life.
