The advent of social media was basically to strengthen online rapid relationships and interactions between family and friends. However, in recent times, this purpose has taken a new course with the inclusion of entertainment, career, and advertisement.

Over the last decade, in the bid to search for updates and find closure on social media, many seem to get some things wrongly.

Although some people make use of social media for all the right reasons, some people are in the problem of social media addiction. It is the act of being overwhelmed by the desire to log on to social media and staying connected.

What is social media addiction

Social media addiction is one of the numerous behavioral addictions that there are. It is the compulsive urge that people have towards social media by devoting so much time and energy to it, till it becomes disadvantageous to other aspects of their lives.

Similar to other behavioral addictions, an obsession with social media is a physiological disorder that is capable of affecting the brain in several harmful ways.

There is no standard diagnosis for identifying social media addiction. Regardless, we can not dispute the fact that there are downsides to the overuse of social media.

Disadvantages of social media addiction

Connecting to social media for work or random social interaction might not pose so much threat to one’s mental existence. However, as resourceful and advantageous social media is, an addiction to it can be overly significant to our mental and physical health. Some probable drawbacks may include:

1. Poor grades for students and poor performance at work for those who work.
2. Increased anxiety, loneliness, depression, and environmental isolation
3. Reduced physical activity and inappropriate sleeping patterns due to the outrageous time spent on social media.
4. Low self-esteem, which is possibly due to the wrong feeling that the lives of others are way better compared with yours.

Oftentimes, addiction is something than some may see at face value. But in doing so, they fail to recognize what lies underneath the appearance of one’s physical health. However, through an extensive amount of research one can truly begin to see just how much substance abuse not only affects the body but the brain as well. In turn, as the mind adapts to the drug－and/or alcohol－that it is given, it grows accustomed to such, making it harder for the addict to give it up. Yet, even so, addiction is a whole lot easier to understand when one has a prior knowledge of the mind (so that he/she has a better idea of how it processes the addict’s consumption－and/or the amount consumed). 

The first way that the brain adapts is through an increase in dopamine levels. Dopamine can be defined as “the chemical that mediates pleasure in the brain. It is released during pleasurable situations and stimulates one to seek out the pleasurable activity or occupation.” As a result, this chemical can pose as dangerous when addiction is involved because the person can find himself/herself consuming more and more of the substance. In doing so, the release of dopamine rewards him/her, causing him/her to feel as though he/she is in a state of euphoria. Consequently, this oftentimes results in him/her abusing the substance time and time again.

Another way in which the brain adapts comes in the form of tolerance, which is defined as “the capacity to endure continued subjection to something, especially a drug, transplant, antigen, or environmental conditions, without adverse reaction.” As the individual begins to consume the substance on a regular basis, his/her tolerance begins to build up, resulting in him/her needing more of it in order to feel euphoric or high. This can result in a plethora of health problems, and even death if one is not careful.

In conclusion, it is better that the addict receives help sooner rather than later to get the best possible care. For in a brief period of time, his/her tolerance may heighten, and then he/she may find himself/herself deep within the pitfall of addiction. That’s why it is important for those to understand just how serious the substance can be on the body, as well as the brain. Then, they can begin to seek treatment rather than face the consequences that come with adapting to the drug(s)－and/or alcohol－that is at use. 

Some decades ago, the social media was non-existent. These days, we are grateful we have the social media because of the advantages it comes with. The social media has helped us in lots of ways, and the merits are still unfolding.

Below are the benefits of the social media:

• Connectivity: The fundamental benefit of the social media is connectivity. This implies that, irrespective of your location, you can connect with anyone; keep in touch, and still maintain your friendship or relationship.

Location is not a barrier when it comes to the social media, as you can share your thoughts and feelings even though the person is far away, and you will receive prompt response.

• Education: The social media has also benefited us in terms of education, as it has helped both teachers and students. On the social media, you can easily learn from people who are experts in various educational fields.

You can keep in touch with anyone, just for the purpose of learning from their wealth of knowledge. As earlier mentioned, location is not a barrier, and as far as you can keep in touch, learning could be a continuum for you.

• Help: On the social media, you can help and receive help. You can share your problems with the particular social media community you find yourself, and be sure to receive help in terms of money, advice and the likes.

• Information: In today’s world, being uninformed makes you ignorant. There are happenings on a frequent basis which you need to be in touch with. Without the social media, it is impossible to get updates on what is happening around you. These days, information on the social media spreads faster than words of mouth.

• Promotion/Publicity: People who have businesses can use the social media to their advantage. You can promote your business and enable it to reach a wide audience. With the social media, you have access to the whole world, and you can sell your services to them. Hence, your business becomes more profitable and less expensive.

Social Media has a big amount of influence in that of our modern day world. Not only in one particular demographic, but in males, females, and young and old alike. In turn, it doesn’t matter as to where the person is located, race, language, age, gender, etc. the platforms that reside within the internet, allow many to connect with family and friends, and/or even make new friends across the world. As a result, it allows us to feel close with our loved ones, and even keep up to date with important news that is taking place locally, as well as nationally. But, even though there are multiple benefits that come with social media, there are also dangers that come with it, if one is not careful.

First and foremost, one of the biggest cons is the FOMO that many face. FOMO is defined by google as, “anxiety that an exciting or interesting event may currently be happening elsewhere, often aroused by posts seen on a social media website.” Therefore, individuals may find themselves surfing different media outlets such as; Snapchat, Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, etc. looking at a trip that they weren’t invited to, and/or seeing the life of someone else, and experiencing emotions such as; envy/jealousy towards them, and even loneliness in that of their own being. For, they want to experience the same thing as that particular user, but instead find themselves stuck behind a screen—only able to watch, (and “like”) from a distance.

Second, is the addiction that can come through FOMO if one is not cautious. For, the anxiety and excitement that an individual feels when seeing that event happen elsewhere can turn into a full fledged “need” to see more. That’s why we oftentimes see that in today’s society millions of people will live stream the Facebook live of their favorite celebrity, and/or someone they look up to/admire. Yet, even though it’s good to have people to look up to, they might find themselves envying their lives to such a degree that it stems into obsession.

In conclusion, this is why our modern day society must be careful when it comes to social media, because if one isn’t mentally strong, and/or capable of understanding and analyzing his/her emotions in a healthy way, then the platforms that he/she subjects himself/herself too can be especially dangerous. But, if one makes sure to balance their social media usage with that of face-to-face interaction—and/or physical engagement with his/her surroundings—then it can be a blessing, rather than a curse, to those who use it wisely.