Are we becoming Social Media Animals? Here are some escape routes.
If you have kids at home then you must be becoming alarmed every day seeing their growing obsession with social media platforms. But, have you ever questioned yourself if you have become addicted to social media too?
A few simple questions will make you understand whether you have become addicted to social media as well. So, let us try it out!
Do you roll your eyes at your mobile screen to check the social media platforms first thing in the morning every morning when you get up?
Do you remain glued to reels and videos on social media every night when you retire to your bed?
Have you felt that you connect less with real friends and more with social media friends these days?
Has social media taken a toll on all your earlier hobbies like reading, painting and listening to music?
If your answer to most of these questions is ‘yes then you are gradually becoming the slave of social media.
But even if we have not listed a question that matches your case, you can make out that you have become obsessed with social media. And, that is by roughly calculating your screen time every day during your leisure, and your doubt will get resolved.
Our intention is not to criticize you but to make you alert that you have joined the bandwagon of young, old as well as children who are unknowingly wreaking havoc on their mental and physical health with their growing obsession with social media.
The truth is that we are gradually transforming ourselves into a generation of social media animals who eat social media content, sleep on social media content and dream about social media content.
Risks That We Overlook
The risks of social media obsession among young adults and the senior population remain grossly overlooked. But the medical fraternity of the world has clearly indicated that excessive time spent on the social media platforms may invite dire consequences like depression, anxiety, low self-esteem, behavioral changes and severe mood modifications.
Social media addiction has been one of the major reasons behind negligence towards responsibilities, self-imposed seclusion and detachment from family life. In a simplified term, it can be said that social media addiction affects the quality of family life.
It may come as an astonishment to you that social media addiction may bring health complications that can be equated with the perils of smoking or drinking!
Withdrawal Symptoms Exist
What’s more, social media addiction also has obvious withdrawal symptoms!
A person who remains overtly engrossed with social media may experience withdrawal symptoms within seven days of complete detachment from it.
These symptoms include the development of compulsive behaviour, aggressive mood swings, irritation, depression and increased boredom.
It is even alarming to find out that several statistics indicate that majority of the people girth to stay away from social media for a span of more than seven days, and again give in to the addiction.
How Can We Fight Back
Even though social media usage can get highly addictive, we still have hope if we believe in ourselves.
Here are a few things we can do to get back to a healthy lifestyle where we can enjoy the benefits of social media instead of making it overcome us:
- Spend your quality time with friends and family without remaining glued to social media.
- Indulge in healthy and constructive leisure activities that will enrich the quality of your life.
- Stop posting every change and reason for mood swings in the social media.
- Find true friends and share your problems with them instead of confiding blindly in virtual friends.
- Schedule a time for using social media and stick to it.
- Do not take your smart devices to your bed from where you can access these social media platforms effortlessly.
By
Ms. Apara Bhattacharya
Bureau Chief - Kolkatta
Ms. Shail Raghuvanshi
Copy Editor
INSTANEWSGRAM