Effect Of Social Media On Brain

Introduction

People spend average 3 hours on their phone every day and 2 hours approximately using social media. Social media has the ability to grab all your attention because it provides every little information of your interest at your fingertips.

The prevalence of social media can be explained by the data of the population using social media. About 88% population of 18-29 has an account on some social media. Seventy-eight per cent population between 30-40 years also using some kind of social media platforms. But the surprising result attains from the 64% of the population of ages 50-64 who frequently use social media and enjoys it. This stunning data can explain how the culture of social media has grown among the major age groups.

Being socially active can boost self-worth, confidence, comfort and joy but it can also attract several problems such as stress, anxiety, depression and lacking social connection and increasethe severe risk on emotional and mental health. Social media has its benefits but also create a huge impact on real-world human connection.

Why Most People Addicted To Social Media And Games?

• Interpersonal relations and communication are the fundamental needs of human beings. In recent time, social media is a great source to develop and enhance interpersonal communications.
• Every time when you watch a video on any platform such as YouTube, the next video will streaming instantly. This will absorb your mind and make hard to stop watching.
• While scrolling on Facebook newsfeed, you have always find the news of your interest on your newsfeed. Facebook recognize the interest of the user so they could not get bored and close the app.
• Many people addictive to social media to get positive social feedback featured by many platforms. Such as ‘thumps up’ on Facebook and ‘heart’ on Instagram.
• Endowment effect:Every game has several features to compel the visitor to invest more time to build a virtual world that will harder to avoid or delete the app.
• Zeigarnik effect/ Ovsiankina effect:The effect refers to better remembering tasks that are not required to be completed. Such task are more likely to be finished. For instance, the “super hard level” of Candy Crush Saga in which players can lose all their lives easily. It can provoke people to buy additional lives by spending money.

Adverse Effect Of Social Media On Brain

Multiple recent studies have shown that the over the limit use of social media can lead a person to severe mental conditions such as depression, anxiety, stress, loneliness, self-harm, or even suicidal thoughts.

Social media can promote negative impact on the brain such as:

Increase insecurities about your life and appearances

You can see many people have millions of followers on their social media accounts. They can be named influencers. These people tend to share their airbrushed photos of their holiday in snowy mountains with expensive gadgets or clothes. These peopleshow the highlight of their luxurious lives and the points that everyone may not have. That’s how social media can manipulate thoughts and feelings and the person can feel insecure about their lives.

Fear of missing out (FOMO)

FOMO is an intensified feeling that can have an impact on your self-esteem that triggers by watching others having more fun or having a better life than yours. This idea of missing out on certain things can have a huge impact on your brain. It can force you to check out your for in every single minute. You will prioritize your phone while driving and destroy your all real-world relationships.

Depression & Anxiety

Uncontrolled use of social media can lead to several mood disorders such as depression and anxiety. People cannot even maintain their real relations.

Self-absorption

Today, adults and teenagers desire more attention to be famous on social media. They used to post endless selfies and their innermost thoughts and develop unhealthy self-centeredness.

Stress due to cyberbullying

Being bullied on social media can lead a person to stress. The hurtful comments, rumours, lies and abuse can have a huge impact on the mental health of today’s generation.

How To Minimize The Impact Of Social Media On Neurological Health?

• Limit the time duration of using social media
• Set a time for using social media
• Prioritize self-care
• Meditate for at least 10 minutes.
• Listen to your favourite music and podcasts.

Engage yourself in different activities

Do things that make you happy and encourage yourself to try something new. You can do dancing, painting, drawing, planting etc.

Manage your social media feed

• Unfollow the unnecessary accounts.
• Keep following the accounts that make you feel good and inspiring.
• Control your comments and posts
• Disable the notifications.

Conclusion

You’re possibly affected by social media if you experience several symptoms such as anxiety, low mood, lack of concentration, creativity, fatigue, headaches, high blood pressure and difficulty in sleeping. You can consider the tips for avoiding social media. However, you can seek the help of your healthcare professional and your loved ones who can protect you from the negative aspects of social media.