Social Media Addiction

Social media has become a major part of life, but the controversy is, whether it has a positive or negative impact on society. As this topic is timely relevant, there has been many research and studies, as well as people have formed various opinions about it. Some people see it as a form of entertainment, a medium that allows rapid communication, and a virtual place where they can share the best moments of their lives. Others argue that it is toxic, distracting, and “a disease that seems to have infected [the] entire generation and the subsequent generations” (Nestor, 2016, para 1). Nonetheless, a wide variety of individuals, from children, adolescents, and adults are attracted to it. Although it can be a valuable tool, it is extremely

“We don’t have a choice on whether we do social media, the question is how we do it” (Qualman, n.d). According to Merrain Webster 1828, “social media is form of electronic communication (such as websites for social networking and microblogging) through which users create online communities to share information, ideas, personal messaging, and other online (such as video). Technology has involved into something that everyone can utilize effectively just by the swipe of finger or by pressing a single button. We don’t have to go the post office for hand written letter from families and friends abroad, but we can get them through simply opening a chat box online. However, social media has become the addiction to many young people today and even adults alike. We eat with your phones. We study and communicate with others on your various devices. We even go into the bathroom with our devices to ensure that we don’t miss a tweet, recent Instagram post or a WhatsApp message.

In the modern society of internet and technological advancement, there are plenty of very sophisticated devices that make addiction to social media even more relatable in the daily events of life. The study has revealed that the majority of network users and addicts are the young people in the society more specifically between the ages of 14 and 19 years old. Further, research has also revealed that up to 54% of the social network subscribers are already addicts to the same. Some of the way I do not think so that TV shows, video games and internet increase violence in our society because these thinks teach us how to learn technology but it is all depend on people’s mentality how they are using the technology. The social network platform hosts a variety of services to choose from each a bit different from the other. The addiction is more accurate to the services that the addict has subscribed to on their devices.

In their essay, “Students Addicted to Social Media,” the International Center for Media and the Public Agenda shares their findings following a study they conducted on the use of media among students. They asked 200 students from the University of Maryland to give up all forms of media for 24 hours, after which they were asked to self report their experience as well as any significant successes or failures. Their findings show a surprising amount of students who

For many social media is a platform to send and receive information. Like most individuals, this is where it begins and ends. However, more people are finding themselves addicted to this form of communication. Have you ever wondered drives someone to post endless updates or chronically checks for updates and gets upset when there are none? Is it because they are suffering from depression, anxiety, narcissism, paranoia or other psychological disorders? Even though social media addiction is not a considered a valid and recognized disorder, it does exist. Can it be proven that the same underlying psychological issues that can cause one to become addicted to substances are the same for an addiction to social media?

In today’s society almost every individual has some type of social media, whether it is Facebook, Snapchat, Instagram, or Twitter, People have accustomed to utilizing these types of social media and it has become part of their life and daily use. According to the essay “Students Addicted to Social Media” by the International Center for Media and Public Agenda, the study from the University of Maryland claims “American college students today are addicted to media” (Signs of Life in the USA 403). The university discovered that when these students are restricted from using media it is similar in terms of drug and alcohol addictions. During the study that the university conducted, students discuss how boring it is without media and how it gives them anxiety about not receiving information through social media. Other students claimed that texting and IM'ing gives them comfort and if they do not have these items then they feel alone and isolated from the world ( Signs of Life in the USA 404). Students are not the only ones who have an addiction of media but also parents and non-students. However, the International Center is accurate in some aspects and the responses students gave are very relatable which some people can agree with.

While many people disagree, due to the rise of the use of technology, many have fallen victim to depression and anxiety, and we need to lock down this epidemic before it grows larger than it already is. In our current generation, a lot of people use social media such as Facebook, Twitter, Snapchat, etc. Since the use of the Internet has multiplied at such a quick pace, social media platforms have progressed a lot. One of the original ideas of the internet was to make our lives easier by having this much technology at our fingertips.. People use smartphones, and tablets which can access to internet quite easily on the go. Such access to these devices make it easier to connect and access social media at the touch of a button. It makes contacting friends and family easier. However, technology use can be abused if not used properly. In our current generation, technology is heavily relied on, and some cannot survive without it.

In an article by Nazir S. Hawi, and Maya Samaha titled, “The Relations Among Social Media Addiction, Self- Esteem, and Life Satisfaction in University Students,” explains what self-esteem is, and some of the addictive behaviors that can occur to those who use media. The article shares some numbers to show a perspective on how many people actually use social media

Caroline Knorr, a journalist from CNN Common Sense Media asserts the fact that companies engineer the social media apps we utilize in a certain way that keeps us hooked (“How to resist technology”) on it in order to continue usage. Although these tactics benefit the companies that create the media apps it does not always positively affect the user. Addiction can be seen as an action that has been done multiple times to the point of creating a regular practice or habit in which the person becomes a slave to. In this case though, the base of the addiction is Social Media, what leads to it, and how one can end or prevent it. Ultimately, a habit like such can negatively impact a user to where it alters their social and everyday life. Luckily, there are methods that can help such as reorganizing the way a person uses their phone, also by modifying their actions and activities in order to increase the amount of time one can spend away from their device, as well as changing their decision making for in-app purchases.. On the other hand, there are possible refutations when bringing up the issue of social media.

You would think that in an age of perpetual technological exposure, we as a population would be able to control ourselves around it. Common sense seems to dictate that it is unhealthy to constantly be on our smartphones, however, we seem to do it anyway. It has become common today to favor our digital presence over our physical existence, often being trapped in the world of social media. Addicted to an online way of life looking for affirmation, social connectedness and perceived self worth in many young adults have depreciated. Several studies today examine similar concepts such as technology as an addiction with side effects, ideas of perceived social isolation and social connectedness, and lowered feelings of belonging and sense of purpose resulting from social media use. Research thus far has provided ample information on why society suffers from digital addiction and those adverse effects, however, it seems to be that information disclosing effective ways to conquer this addiction is limited.

Although many people are addicted to the internet and social media, one girl experienced it in a rather harsh way. The now fifteen-year-old girl started “acting out” when she was just thirteen in the year of 2015. Her parents then turned off the service to her phone and took it away; but she would just buy a old or used phone from her friends, any phone she could get her hands on. In addition, she would stay up until 4:30 in the morning just looking at her feed, she also had multiple accounts for each app and would block her parents so they couldn’t see what she was doing or posting. Also, her social media addiction lead to the use of drugs and alcohol. At one point, when she was 13, the police showed up at her house in California, to inform her family that she was involved in a blackmail attempt, which included her nude pictures. Along with that she wrote a suicide note which she posted on her social media, had ended up on her parents phones, but she received treatment for “excessive social media use, substance abuse, and mental health,” (“ np).

For those who want to relax take a week long vacation, or how about putting down your distracted devices. No matter if it’s for business or personal use we can’t go a day checking our social feed. Social media was created for enjoyment, but humanity has destroyed the purpose. Social Media has caused so much chaos over the last decade, and it is only getting worse. Lies, death, deceit, and misery have all happened over the internet. Many people have lost their self- respect, and more violence has occurred for the entire world to see. Our generation we are “social addicted”, and that is not always a good thing. Social Media is the root of all evil, I am convinced.

“We didn’t have a choice to know any life without iPads or iPhones. I think we like our phones more than we like actual people” said Athena, a teen who was interviewed by the Atlantic (Twenge 2017). When individuals are addicted to social media, it may cause a lot of problems, physically, emotionally, and mentally. Teenagers today struggle with communication and creating strong bonds with others due to their lack of in-person conversations. Most conversations take place over text messages or social media accounts and it has affected their attitudes and behaviors. Addiction to social media typically leads to unplanned circumstances, such as mental health problems, which includes depression and anxiety.

Social Media plays a large role in people’s lives because people are glued to their smart phones, tablets and computers which allow easy access to social media sites that can lead to a decline in health. If social media was not easily accessible, surely a large decrease in social media usage can be seen. According to the Huffington Posts, Britney Fitzgerald, 45% of people feel worried when Facebook or email is not accessible. Facebook a social media site allows users to friend each other and instant message while also allowing users to share pictures and update statuses. Facebook is the largest social media website with the most users and is an example of social Media’s addictive effects. Honor Whiteman (medicalnewstoday.com) says, “63% of American Facebook users log on to the site daily, while 40% of users log on multiple times a day”. A majority of these users log in using smart phones or tablets

While the proliferation of Social Media and its effects on society are startling, and at times aggravating, there is research and solutions being hashed by behavioral scientists, therapists, and psychologists. One such study seems to, if not validate my solution of quitting Social media all together. According to Gupta, Arora, and Gupta (2013), they surmise that through recognizing Facebook addiction and questioning what