Social Media and Addiction
Over the last decade, the usage of social media has increased remarkably to connect with friends and loved ones, watch videos, or just to pass the time. This is especially common amongst children and teenagers. Some examples of social media are Tiktok, Instagram, Facebook, and Snapchat.
But how is Social Media addictive?
An inability to stop using, negative health effects, obsessive behavior, and it is used to cope with outside problems are common symptoms of addiction.
But addiction is not to be confused with a habit that you enjoy. So, some key differences between addiction and an enjoyable habit are using TikTok to the extent where it has negative effects on your personal and social life or using it as a way to cope with problems. Some examples are restlessness or irritability whenever you’re not using it, thinking about it whenever you aren’t using it, and you’ll use it whenever you have the opportunity.
Regardless if you have a social media addiction or are just on the apps out of boredom. Some ways you can reduce your general usage of social media is to step away from it, assess your addiction and develop some healthy social media habits.
Firstly, If you are unsure of the extent of your addiction, you can determine how much time you spend by tracking your usage. On ios phones, it can be found by going to Settings > Screen Time. Studies show that spending more than 2 or 3 hours on social media is too much but it can vary from person to person.
Secondly, if the addiction seems outside of your control, seeking help might be suitable. There are several therapists trained in the area, along with support groups. It can be helpful to feel that you are not alone in your addiction and to discuss potential solutions for the problem.
Next, deleting the app would be preferable. It would be a great chance to clear the mind and reflect on yourself. Thinking about when and if you will get your social media beck is helpful during this time. And find healthy activities to replace your social media addiction. However, If deleting the app is not an option, it would be recommended to stick on a time limit while using social media.
Finally, choosing healthy alternatives can be a great way to reduce social media usage. Some examples are spending time with your family and friends, working on yourself personally, getting a new hobby, learning new skills, etc.
In conclusion, social media is a very powerful tool that can be used in various ways and is the source of addiction in teens and young adults. Some ways to break the addiction are to step away from it, assess your addiction and develop some healthy social media habits.
By: Liew Yik Xuan
