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Why You Can’t Stop Checking Your Phone
Social media doesn’t have to own you
If I asked why you originally signed up for social media, you’d probably say, “To keep up with friends and family.”
It’s a wholesome reason, for sure.
Maybe you wanted to see your cousin’s avocado toast obsession or Grandma’s latest garden project.
But let’s be honest — most of us aren’t scrolling for Grandma anymore.
We’re caught in an endless loop of likes, notifications, and mindless dopamine hits.
You reach for your phone mid-conversation, at a red light, or when your email gets too dull.
It’s practically muscle memory at this point.
This isn’t just a personal quirk; it’s a global habit. And it’s new.
When the iPhone launched in 2007, it didn’t even have social media apps.
Facebook didn’t hit 500 million users until 2010.
Instagram wasn’t invented yet.
Humanity is still figuring out how to use these platforms without them using us.
But it’s not entirely your fault.
Social media is engineered for addiction.