Rainbow photo representing social media addiction.
Social Media Addiction

With the advent of social media, addiction has become a real problem for many people. While social media can be a great way to stay connected with friends and family, it can be a major time-suck that leads to problems in both our work and personal lives. If you spend too much time on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram, it’s important to cut back, especially for those of us that struggle with ADHD. We either can’t focus or we hyperfocus on the wrong things. In this article, I will discuss what social media addiction (SMA) is and give tips on overcoming it.

What is Social Media Addiction?

Most people know the term “social media addiction” but don’t know what it means. Simply put, social media addiction is when someone becomes obsessed with using social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Unfortunately, It can also lead to relapse for those of us that are in recovery.

Negative Effects of Social Media

Image of four teens sitting in a circle all on computers not speaking or paying any attention to the others.
Kids are spending more and more time online.

How Does Social Media Addiction Affect People?

Social media addiction can have several negative effects on people. These can include feeling isolated from real-world social interactions, feeling anxious or depressed when not using social media, and experiencing withdrawal symptoms when you are away from social media. Not to mention, it can lead to physical health problems such as eye strain and neck pain. The effects of social media addiction on mental health can be significant and far-reaching. Additionally, it can lead to problems with sleeping and eating and lower grades in school. If you or someone you know is struggling with social media addiction, it is important to seek help from a professional.

It is no secret that social media addiction can negatively affect physical health. A sedentary lifestyle, poor diet, and lack of exercise can all lead to weight gain, cardiovascular problems, and a host of other issues. The constant scrolling and clicking can lead to carpal tunnel syndrome and other repetitive strain injuries. This is actually a real thing. It’s called Mouse Syndrome. Shocking, right? And let’s not forget about the eye strain and headaches that come from staring at a screen all day.

What Causes Social Media Addiction?

Photo of a bunch of kids all using their phones to communicate.
Kids were socially awkward in the past…

There is no single cause of SMA, but several contributing factors can lead to someone developing an addiction to using social media. Some of these factors include boredom, loneliness, seeking validation and approval from others, and wanting to stay up-to-date with friends and family. Additionally, social media can be addictive because it’s easily accessible and often free to use.

SMA has many potential causes, as the condition can stem from psychological and environmental factors. For some people, using social media platforms can become a way to cope with underlying mental health issues such as addiction, anxiety, or depression. In other cases, it may develop in response to feelings of isolation or a lack of meaningful connections in one’s life, which has become extremely common in our world today. Anyone wonder why? Lol.

What to do about it

Photo of teen sitting at a computer covering her eyes but peeking through her fingers at her computer screen.

SMA is a growing problem that can have serious consequences for those suffering from it. If left untreated, it can lead to problems with mental and emotional health, work, and school performance, and personal relationships. It is important to get help if you or someone you know is struggling with SMA There are many resources available to help people overcome this problem. There are a few ways that SMA be treated. One way is to limit how much time can be spent on social media daily by using apps that feature time reminders. This can help cut back on time spent mindlessly scrolling through feeds and looking at other people’s posts. If you are interested in getting some self-help you can try this Lock Me out app by clicking here.
Another way to treat social media addiction is to find other activities that are unrelated to social media. This can help to break the habit of constantly checking for updates and notifications. Finally, it is important to talk to someone about the problem to get help and support. If you are interested in an article about what works click here. If you want some coping skills check out my article on how meditation can help addiction here.

Post Off Quote

“What perfectionism really means is never completing a project.”

Michael Nelson

Post Off Affirmation

I trust my ability to make the right decisions for me at this time.

If you guys are experiencing SMA or know someone that is please share your comments below. Also, be sure to like, follow, subscribe, and register for our new evolving community. Take care. Reach out if you need help. Light & Love!