HomeGeneral Health MattersSocial Media Addiction Is Real - Are You Addicted To It?

Social Media Addiction Is Real – Are You Addicted To It?

Recently, the World Health Organization classifies video gaming as mental health illness. And, the statistics for people addicted to their smartphone is very high. Moreover, it is undeniable that social media addiction is also leading and many experts agree to it.

Furthermore, in January 2018, the BBC reports several studies that find how social media affect people’s mental health. It is shocking how spending more time on social media causes stress, anxiety, alters mood, depression, sleep disorders, and addiction.

Social Media Addiction Affects Students

Social media addiction highly affects teens and college students. In one study1, researchers found it affects life satisfaction the students.

One of the symptoms of addiction is withdrawal. In fact, one study conducted by researchers at University of Winchester found that Facebook and Twitter addicts faced withdrawal symptoms.

Of course, we’ve heard withdrawal symptoms in the past from people quitting smoking, alcohol, and drugs. This is scary. Although getting addict on social media does not involve taking any sort of substance, it manipulates the brain.

Social media addiction affects both men and women. In another study, researchers at University of Gothenburg says men spent 64 minutes on social media per day while women spent an average of 81 minutes.

Now, that study was done in 2012. Since then a lot has happened in terms of development within the realm of social media.

Signs of Social Media Addiction

Just like with any type of addictions, there are common symptoms. Below is a list of common symptoms for social media addiction. The key here is to recognize them and see if you have one or combinations of these symptoms.

  • Spending more than an hour on social media sites.
  • Having this urge to check your Facebook account more often.
  • Posting very often and sharing a lot.
  • Social media affects your performance at school.
  • Reduces your productivity at work.
  • Facing withdrawal symptoms.
  • Obsessive thinking on your social media friends.
  • Trading sleep time for social media resulting in sleep deprivation.

These are the common symptoms of social media addiction. Certainly, there are far more symptoms but hopefully, with this short list people would be able to recognize if they have any of these.

Quitting Social Media

Perhaps, the best way to avoid and break free from social media addiction is to quit. However, it won’t be easy for most people due to withdrawal symptoms.

The good news is you can do something. Moreover, knowing what makes social media addictive could be a key to quitting. One of the most notable thing that makes social media addictive are the notifications.

A social media addict is easily distracted by notifications. On the other hand, turning off automatic notifications in a smartphone can be helpful. This may be the first thing you should try doing if you want to move on and eventually break free from the addiction.

Now, it may not be possible to totally quit social media particularly Facebook but be in control of it. Never let social media controls your life.

On the other hand, recognizing that you have any of the symptoms is another big step towards taking full control. It is true many people have already deleted their social media accounts.

In fact, their people who support social media deleters. If you can do it, then why not do it? But if you think you still need social media whether it be for business or communication purposes, then use it wisely.

Don’t let social media addiction ruins your life, your family, and your relationship.

Sometimes, one of the best ways to break the addiction is using that thing causing it. This is perfectly applicable to your android smartphone as there certain apps that help remind you of your social media usage.

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