What’s the first thing you do when you wake up? Even before our routine chores we wish to log in our Facebook accounts and check updates. Isn’t it?
This shows how greatly we have been impacted by social media. In buses or on bus stops, offices, malls, movie theatres, flights we now find people tuned to their cell phones or laptops updating their status every moment or looking for something interesting. But is this addiction doing any good to any of us?
Read on to know how social media is affecting our lives.
In 21st century, the social networking sites are considered as a way to socialize, connect and develop relations. The social media has totally changed the social, political, and personal scenario over the last few years.
But is Facebook able to build strong relations as the letters and physical meetings? Is this virtual platform worth to spend time updating and socializing?
None of us has forgotten Danny Bowman, the 19-year-old UK resident who attempted suicide due to his obsession of taking ‘selfies,’
No doubt technological advancements have definitely brought the world closer but what’s the use if the technology can cause harm to our life itself?
Social Media Addiction
As per statistics, 63% of American use Facebook daily and 40% of users log on to the site multiple times in a day. Everyone has different reasons to use social media but ultimately we are addicted to it in some form or the other.
According to Dr. Shannon M. Rauch, of Benedictine University at Mesa, AZ, the major reason most of us use social media is for self-distraction and boredom relief.
She adds “Therefore, social media is delivering a reinforcement every time a person logs on,” “For those who post status updates, the reinforcements keep coming in the form of supportive comments and ‘likes.’ And of course we know that behaviors that are consistently reinforced will be repeated, so it becomes hard for a person who has developed this habit to simply stop.” Such behaviors are a clear indication of social media addiction which can ruin our personal lives, health and even affect us emotionally.
The following points describe how adversely social media addiction can affect our lives.
Effect on Privacy- Personal Information Gone Public
If you are exposing your personal information on social media sites then you are vulnerable to exploitation. Now days there are increasing number of consumer cases regarding privacy issues. Once your personal information is posted on social media it can be seen by others and even shared to spread it further.
It’s not bad to upload some of your pictures, update your basic information. But if you are obsessed to continuously upload then it prove to be potentially harmful for you. This is specially the case with teenagers who share their private information just to be a popular figure among their peer group. That’s why many parents are concerned about their child’s safety.
Social media addiction gets so extreme that it makes you compare yourself with others and even creates a fear of being missed out. So once if you get addicted it becomes difficult to get out of it.
Mental and Emotional Impact- Leading to Boredom, Loneliness
According to a study at the University of Michigan, the ones who used Facebook more frequently were much unhappier as compared to the ones who use it less.
The time people spend on social media sites has increased drastically especially among students and young adults which has greatly impacted us mentally and emotionally.
Although it seems that social media sites can bring happiness, increase connectivity and develop relations but the impacts are completely opposite. Spending time on social media leads to sadness, boredom, and loneliness. It even ruins our personal relationships (family and friends).
A survey was conducted by University of Stanford to find out the impact of social media.
The survey was done on a sample group of people and the results were as follows:
- 50% people from the sample group of people said using social networking sites has made their lives worse. They said when they compare themselves with others it affects their self-esteem.
- 66% among the group said they found it difficult to relax or sleep after using the social networking sites.
- 25% even claimed they faced difficulties at work or relationships due to the social media.
- Some 50+ even accepted that they feel tensed say they feel worried or uncomfortable if they are not able to use Facebook or email.
Author: Varun Sharma is a Digital Marketing Expert since 2004, a keen researcher & observer. He is one of the directors in the fastest growing digital agency in India – KVR WebTech – from last 5 years. You can also subscribe to his personal blog at www.varun-sharma.info.