Social Media and Relationships
Social media may ruin real-life connections. One study even finds the urge to check social media is stronger than the urge for sex. People spend so much time on social media sharing important stuff, such as humor, joy and moments. When you share online, you disconnect from the people and reality of the real world.
Another study reported in Scientific American finds the presence of a cellphone when two people are connecting interferes with closeness, trust and empathy - all things vital in relationships.
Family Ties
Technology, in general, breaks down family time. There have even been studies where children reported their parents are addicted to their cellphones and computers, preferring this over quality time with their children. It's been shown that children are immersed in their cellphones and other electronic devices to the point where they ignore their parents. Moreover, children who spend a lot of time on social media sites tend to feel less supported by their parents.
Romantic Connections
Social media has also been detrimental in romantic relationships. One 2017 study finds high levels of Facebook use resulted in negative relationship outcomes, including cheating and breakups.
Ex-partners also use Facebook to stalk former partners, or a current partner who constantly monitors another due to jealous feelings. These types of behaviors show Facebook can interrupt daily lives and cause relationship dissatisfaction.
It is very sad that the impulse to share our lives to a worldwide audience is making us miss out on the important relationships in our lives and cause dysfunction in those relationships. This reality is turning into a big problem for some people who may end up needing treatment to sort out reality from social media. After all, it is only a small glimpse of peoples' lives and not a true indicator of their happiness.
Effect on Workplaces
Many employers have banned social media sites from their offices because employees are spending too much time on these sites. Social media interferes with productivity and it could also lead to a job loss.
People can also lose their jobs for something they posted on social media. Prospective employers also check social media on interested candidates and what you say on social media might cost you a pretty good job.
Link to Other Addictions
There has been plenty of research confirming that social media addiction is a real thing. One study from the University of Albany, New York, finds heavy social media use can also contribute to other types of addiction, including alcohol and internet addictions. This is because social media addiction might be an indicator of lack of impulse control in some people.
The researchers surveyed 253 undergraduate students about their social media and internet use, alcohol use and how well they could regulate their emotions. They found that at least 10% of the students exhibited signs of a social media addiction.
Many of the questions asked were modified questions used in diagnosing alcoholism. They asked questions such as, “How does using Facebook make you feel?” and “Do you check Facebook when you first wake up?” The students that appeared to demonstrate characteristics of a social media addiction were more likely to report other addictions, including internet and alcohol.
Based on these findings, researchers believe further studies could result in social media addiction being officially considered and categorized as a medical disorder.
Is It Different Than Internet Addiction?
Some people think excessive social media use is a just a form of internet addiction. Internet addiction was a subject researchers started looking into in the 1990s when the internet became increasingly popular. Even then, researchers predicted the internet would affect relationships and peoples' experiences on the job and in school settings.
Internet addiction is still not listed a formal medical diagnosis in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM). The DSM offers a common language and standard diagnostic criteria for diagnosing mental disorders.
Here we are years later and there is still no official diagnosis for internet and social media use that is compulsive enough to be a medical disorder.
How to Treat Social Media Addiction
Many addiction centers have recognized social media as an addiction, and treatment for this addiction requires behavior changes. But first, similarly to other addictions, the addict must admit that they have a problem.
For treatment to work, they must also turn off all social media notifications and carefully limit social media use. Once the dependence on social media has improved, the addict needs to learn alternate ways to communicate, especially in person.
Additional communication and connection behaviors need to be established, including making phone calls and spending time with friends and family instead of using social media.
How to Quit Social Media
Social media addiction is a real problem and it can cause a lot of damage to peoples' lives, including in their personal lives and careers. For most people, we allow social media to pull us in and waste too much of our time.
The best way to limit your habit of checking in to social media is to limit your use to once per day and for a small increment of time, say 15 minutes. Once you can limit your time, you will find that quitting social media altogether is much easier.
If you cannot stick to checking in a once a day, it is possible you may have a bigger problem, and you should try to find other ways to fill your time throughout your day. If you are spending too much time obsessing over social media and ignoring basic needs and responsibilities, seek out help from family, friends, or even a professional. Don’t let social media destroy your life and your very important relationships.
