Addiction to social networks

Platforms like TikTok, instagram either Twitch They changed the way we live and relate. These sites grant us a “golden ticket” that allows us to spy on the lives of others and expose our own, but, like everything, too much of anything can have its consequences!

It is clear that social networks (SS) are not bad or dangerous in and of themselves. However, the risk of excessive or unhealthy use is undeniable: It can compromise our mental health and generate emotional dependence, classifying it within the category of behavioral addictions after a long debate in the scientific community.

In these lines, we are going to learn more about this increasingly common addiction in young people and adolescents, understanding its main causes and consequences, as well as investigating the most appropriate treatment.

What is social media addiction?

The term addiction refers, in general, to the excessive use of substances that can be invasive for the body. In this sense, the excessive consumption of alcohol, tobacco or other drugs is classified as “chemical addictions.”

However, There are also so-called “behavioral addictions”, which are linked to patterns of compulsive and problematic behavior of specific behaviors. Some examples may be gambling, shopping, sex, work, physical exercise or the use of technology.

Any normal pleasurable behavior is susceptible to becoming psychologically addictive behavior. These addictions share some common characteristics with chemical addictions, such as loss of control, tolerance (the need to increase the frequency of activity to obtain the same effect), and interference with daily life.

For its part, Social media addiction is defined by its problematic and abusive use. According to data obtained by Global Web Index Internet users spend almost 7 hours a day online. That is too much.

It involves a disproportionate dedication of time to navigation and interaction, often at the expense of everyday responsibilities and meaningful interpersonal relationships. It is, in short, a relationship of dependency.

Other common symptoms and signs include:

Continued concern over the approval of content published through likes or comments. The constant search for validation can lead to a repetitive cycle of constant publishing and revision.The feeling of anxiety when it is not possible to access the platformswhether due to technical internet problems, Wifi or, for example, by the prohibition of using cell phones in class, at work or while driving.The tendency to compare yourself with other users in terms of popularity, lifestyle or personal achievements.Social isolation in real life due to the priority given to online interactions.

Main causes

Addiction to social networks is always multi-causal. In fact, it is usually the result of a combination of biological, psychological and social factors. Let’s delve into some of them:

Brain rewards

Receive likes, positive comments or messages activate the brain’s reward system. This process releases dopamine, a neurotransmitter linked to pleasure, quickly and easily.

And, let’s be honest: What do people want after experiencing a pleasant sensation? Feel it again. Thus, we are motivated to seek that same feeling of well-being again and again.

Self-esteem problems

Low self-esteem can lead to a constant need for external validation, using interactions as a way to compensate for a lack of self-confidence. This creates a vicious cycle, as the immediate gratification of receiving online approval offers temporary relief from feelings of insecurity.

It is undeniable that psychological factors contribute significantly to the development of this addiction. What’s more: Research published in Computers in Human Behavior highlights the relationship between negative self-perception and problematic use of social networks.

Easy and standardized access

The mobile phone has become another extension of our hand. And social networks? Something like a shadow that accompanies us from the moment we open our eyes in the morning until we go to sleep. Furthermore, they are available to everyone and at all times.

The use of these tools is so normalized in our society that we are no longer surprised to see all the people on the subway with their heads down chatting, reading news or playing videos on their devices.

Main consequences and effects of addiction to social networks

Social media is not harmful by nature. In fact, we can obtain great advantages by using them. Rather, their excessive and unconscious use can cause us considerable problems and, in the worst case, develop a behavioral addiction towards them.

The addiction to RR. H.H. It contributes to mental health problems such as eating disorders (ED), anxiety, depression and a general feeling of dissatisfaction.

About this, a work carried out by psychologists specializing in the subject, highlights the relationship between depressive symptoms and this addiction and warns about how some people try to get out of depression through what sinks them the most (the digital world).

On the other hand, academic or work productivity is significantly affected due to constant distraction. It is evident how people with problematic use of technology waste time on platforms almost without noticing it, which translates into a decrease in performance in other areas of life.

Another of the most notable effects is the negative impact on ties. Overdimension in the digital world can generate a disconnection from real life, weakening interpersonal relationships. Also, it is associated with a decrease in sleep quality and the ability to concentrate.

Treatment

The main difference between a substance addiction and a behavioral addiction is in the treatment approach. While addressing the first usually involves absolute distance from the addictive substance, addressing the second, such as addiction to social networks, does not necessarily require completely abandoning the activity in question.

In this case, and as long as the situation is not critical, the therapeutic approach usually focuses on developing healthy habits and learning to control impulses instead of opting for total abstinence.

Psychotherapy is a fundamental part of this treatment. Through regular sessions with a mental health professional, behavioral patterns are explored, underlying factors that contribute to addiction are identified, and strategies are worked on to change these habits.

On the other hand, group interventions can be useful, where experiences are shared with other people who face similar challenges. In addition, pharmacological treatment may be necessary on certain occasions. In which case, the treating professionals will make the corresponding referral.

What place do social networks occupy in your life?

We want to emphasize that social networks are not monsters, so we do not have to leave them terrified. The key is in the use we give them. Thus, It is essential to reflect to what extent they are a priority in our lives.

Often, virtual platforms function as showcases where we show, especially, everything related to happiness. Behaviors that occasionally indicate nothing, but that excessively help create a false image. In this way, we notice how social networks can affect individuals and society in general.

Ultimately, can’t network addiction warn of an unmet personal need? Perhaps, it responds to a void that we try to fill by visiting other people’s profiles or inventing a life of our own. Let us remember that true happiness does not come from external factors, but rather arises from within us.