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Some experts estimate up to 10 percent of people in the United States have social media addiction. Still, it is hard to put an approximate figure as so many of us regularly engage with social platforms. Why is social media so addictive? Using social media more often, though, increases FOMO and feelings of inadequacy, dissatisfaction, and isolation.
Stay vigilant when you see new companies, organisations or brands pop up on your feed. You should also be suspicious if you see a new social media account advertising for a company you know well. It may be a scammer pretending to be a new branch or new account for that brand. Romance scamsWorsening symptoms of anxiety or depression. Rather than helping to alleviate negative feelings and boost your mood, you feel more anxious, depressed, or lonely after using social media. Modifying social media use to improve mental health step 1: Reduce time online Are you an active or a passive user on social media? Passively scrolling through posts or anonymously following the interaction of others on social media doesn’t provide any meaningful sense of connection. It may even increase feelings of isolation. Being an active participant, though, will offer you more engagement with others.
Are you seeing an unusually high volume of the same status being shared? This should ring alarm bells that it may be a scam, especially if the message is the same for more than a few people. In some cases, social media can be a welcome distraction from a pre-existing mental health condition. In other cases, a social media addiction can cause depression and anxiety, especially when it takes a toll on relationships, hobbies, or grades. If you’ve neglected face-to-face friendships, reach out to an old friend (or an online friend) and arrange to meet up. If you both lead busy lives, offer to run errands or exercise together. Twenge, J. M., et al. (2019). Trends in U.S. adolescents’ media use, 1976-2016: The rise of digital media, the decline of TV, and the (near) demise of print.Turn off your personal phone during work, as well as during school, meals, and recreational activities. Not every person with a social media addiction is necessarily depressed. However, it’s worth considering whether counseling, medication, or a combination can help an individual find a renewed interest in life. Younger generations, including Millennials and Generation Z, are among those most prone to social media. Their experiences with social media are diverse and influenced by factors such as their age, interests, and online interactions In turn, these feelings negatively affect your mood and worsen symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress.