Article: Social media and its negative impacts

                                                   Social Media and Its Negative Impacts

                                                                    By: Banu Priya Chinivasan

    Kumar & Hamzhat (2018) indicated that “Internet addiction is becoming a growing phenomenon across the world due to the tendency of Internet overuse for varied reasons.” One of the main reasons is to explore social media platforms, but many are not aware that social media brings more harm, such as spending too much time, which could lead to mental illness, being stuck in a debt cycle, a decline in productivity, and disruption in family relationships. Therefore, potential solutions to address these issues accordingly and effectively are a must.

    First and foremost, some are spending too much of their precious time without realizing that social media can cause serious mental depression (Ugwu et al., 2023). In addition to that, various types of mental illnesses are associated with the overuse of social media, for example, having an inferiority complex, loneliness, anxiety, and suicidal ideation. Besides, most social media users, regardless of age, put up a facade for the sake of compliments and to increase the number of followers. Some even keep checking every two to three minutes after they have posted their new post just to see people's comments. If they don’t get the number of likes and followers they expected, they feel depressed and assume that they are not looking good. In brief, it can be said that social media fosters an environment of constant comparison with others, leading to feelings of inadequacy and a desire to constantly stay connected to avoid feeling left behind. Social media also exposes users to an overwhelming amount of information and events, making them fear missing out on important updates or events, which drives people to stay online continuously.

    Social media platforms are not only popular among teenagers but also among all age groups. Most of them aimlessly scroll through social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, and TikTok merely to glance at their friends’ posts and to post their own pictures. The act of scrolling through feeds and receiving notifications triggers the release of dopamine, a neurotransmitter associated with pleasure and reward. This biochemical response reinforces the urge to engage with social media continually. Moreover, some are obsessed and keep updating their daily routines with others. Some even spend a lot of money to buy new clothes and accessories merely to give a new look to their social media news feed. To add to that, some are willing to travel abroad even though they cannot afford it, relying on credit cards and assuming they can pay them off. However, some become stuck in a long-term debt cycle and live stressful lives.

    Apart from that, social media addiction can adversely affect an individual's productivity. Spending countless hours scrolling through feeds and engaging in online activities can lead to procrastination, causing delays in completing important tasks and assignments. The constant distraction of social media can hinder focus and productivity in academic and professional settings. In some cases, late-night social media browsing interferes with sleep patterns, leading to insomnia and fatigue during the day. The blue light emitted by screens and the emotional impact of content on social media disrupt sleep quality. Many individuals engage with social media late at night, negatively affecting their sleep quality and leading to daytime fatigue and reduced cognitive functioning.

In addition, spending more time online can lead to ignoring real-life relationships and face-to-face interactions. This, in turn, can strain personal relationships and lead to a sense of disconnectedness. Social media addiction can strain real-life relationships. When individuals prioritize online interactions over spending quality time with friends and family, it can lead to feelings of neglect and isolation in their physical social circles. The superficial nature of virtual connections sometimes replaces deeper, meaningful relationships, leading to a sense of disconnection from real-life interactions.

    Next, according to Smith (2022), “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.” If all these symptoms exist in someone, then the person is said to be intoxicated—not by drugs but by social media platforms. Detoxification from digital life and handphones is a necessary therapy to combat this addiction. It can be simply done by spending some quality time with friends and family, for instance, visiting a park in the neighborhood to do some outdoor activities. Besides, several mindful activities such as meditation, breathing exercises, and listening to the sounds of nature can be wonderful therapy for those who have entangled themselves in this virtual life. For some individuals, support groups and professional counseling may offer a safe space to discuss their concerns and develop coping strategies.

    In conclusion, social media dependence can result in more negative impacts compared to positive influences. So, the issue must be handled carefully so that the current and future generations will not be vulnerable to several mental diseases resulting from this obsession. Even though social media has undoubtedly transformed the way we communicate and access information, it is essential to be mindful of its potentially addictive nature. By promoting digital literacy, implementing responsible usage guidelines, and fostering a healthy balance between online and offline activities, we can mitigate the adverse effects of social media addiction and harness the full potential of these platforms for positive purposes.

References
Kumar, M. R., & Hamzaht, S. K. B. M. (2018). A Study on Internet Addiction Among Teenagers in Selangor State of Malaysia. MATEC Web of Conferences, 218, 03018.

Ugwu, L. E., Idemudia, E. S., Chukwu, O. O., & Onyedibe, M. C. C. (2023). Measuring the Impact of Social Media on Young People’s Mental Health: Development and Validation of the Social Media-Induced Tendency Scale. Depression Research and Treatment, 2023.

Smith, C. (2022, August 25). Behavioral Addictions: What Are They and How Does One Develop? Addiction Center. https://www.addictioncenter.com/community/behavioral-addictions/