Scrolling Overdrive: Social Media Addiction Symptoms

Adolescents and young adults are the most susceptible to social media addiction. Individuals with social media addiction may experience negative psychological and physical symptoms.

Social media is an online platform that enables individuals to communicate with one another electronically. Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok are all examples of social media websites. The prevalence of social media addiction is on the rise, particularly among adolescents and young adults.

What is Social Media Addiction?

Social media addiction is characterized by an intense urge to access or utilize social media. Additionally, they may experience an excessive quantity of anxiety regarding social media and allocate a substantial amount of time to it.

It is a behavioral addiction, which defines it as an individual’s dependence on an activity or action.

The amount of time individuals spend on social media may adversely affect their daily activities and personal relationships.

The dopamine-inducing social environments that social networking sites offer are a significant factor in the phenomenon of social media addiction. Social media platforms, including Facebook, Snapchat, Instagram, and TikTok, generate neural circuitry comparable to that of recreational substances and gambling to encourage consumers to utilize their products to the fullest extent. 

The continuous flow of retweets, likes, and shares from these platforms induces a chemical reaction in the brain’s reward area comparable to that observed in substances such as cocaine. Neuroscientists have likened social media interaction to the direct injection of dopamine into the system.

Know the Signs of Social Media Addiction

Individuals may experience a wide range of symptoms associated with social media addiction. Not every adolescent or young adult who is grappling with social media addiction will exhibit all of these indicators.

The manifestation of social media addiction varies among individuals. This is partially due to the individual’s motivations for relying on social media. Does he or she experience elevated tension levels that social media aids in alleviating? Or is there a pre-existing chemical imbalance that renders the dopamine hit more alluring to some individuals than others? 

Each individual is unique. Nevertheless, the methods for reducing reliance on social media and identifying and addressing the symptoms of social media addiction are relatively universal. In the current era of smartphone addiction, it may be beneficial for all individuals to intentionally decrease their social media usage.

• An excessive quantity of time is spent on social media. Devoted to browsing through social media platforms while disregarding other critical obligations and pursuits.
• A decrease in the amount of time spent with friends and family. The increasing prevalence of social media addiction may cause personal relationships, as individuals tend to spend more time online. Due to their preoccupation with social media, they may find it difficult to be completely present and distance themselves from family and friends.
• Refusing to attend social gatherings. Frequently choosing to forgo social gatherings and events to maintain a connection to social media.
• Absence of enthusiasm for previous pastimes. Finding previously enjoyable activities less alluring or abandoning them altogether due to the allure of social media.
• Decrease in physical activity and other activities. Due to extensive social media use, participation in hobbies or leisure activities and physical activity have decreased.
• Inadequate academic or professional performance. Social media can result in a decline in academic or professional performance by occupying a substantial amount of a young person’s time and energy, leading to neglecting school or work-related responsibilities.

Risks & Consequences of Social Media Use

Humans are inherently social organisms that derive emotional and physical benefits from social interaction. Nevertheless, the advantageous outcomes of interpersonal communication transpire in person.

In many cases, social media interactions are not genuine. The advertisements and images on social media are unrealistic and edited. Many young people, perceiving these as genuine, compare their lives and selves to the images and attempt to meet the standards, but this is futile. The following are the possible consequences of prolonged social media use:

• Sleep Deprivation
• Disregard for Real-World Responsibilities
• Interpersonal Connections
• Problems with Body Image
• Low Self-Esteem
• Suicide

Causes of Social Media Addiction

The precise cause of social media addiction is multifaceted and encompasses numerous factors. Researchers are still investigating the impact of social media on adolescents and our culture.

The causes of social media addiction may change as the technology that powers these platforms becomes more sophisticated. Many individuals are currently compelled to develop a social media addiction due to the purposely addictive design of social media applications and specific risk factors.

• Genetics

Social media addiction is classified as a behavioral addiction, similar to gambling or purchasing. The same traits that increase the likelihood of developing a substance use disorder can also increase the likelihood of developing a social media addiction.

The knowledge of addiction in one’s family can be a potent tool in preventing the disease for oneself, as these genes are passed down through one’s parents.

• The chemical composition of the brain

Social media addiction activates the brain’s reward center, which releases chemicals (dopamine) associated with delight, reward, and happiness.

A surge of dopamine in the brain induces euphoria, prompting individuals to repeatedly desire the same experience when they access and spend time on social media platforms to continually desire the same experience.

Many social media consumers encounter difficulty logging off or putting their phones down because the design of numerous social media applications is geared toward maintaining scrolling and activating the brain’s reward center.

• Depression, Impulsivity, and Low Self-Esteem

Social media addiction is particularly prevalent among individuals who suffer from mental health conditions such as depression, anxiety, ADHD, low self-esteem, and body image issues.

Many individuals will utilize social media to elevate their dopamine levels in their minds, experience a sense of well-being, or receive favorable feedback from others.

Many social media applications prioritize instant gratification to maintain user engagement for an extended period.
Computer algorithms customize the user’s feed based on their interests and previous online activity, resulting in a scrolling experience that resembles a treasure hunt.

This instant gratification can rewire the brains of children and adolescents with depression, low self-esteem, or impulsive traits, causing them to obsessively or compulsively seek out the dopamine high from social media.

How to Stop Social Media Addiction

The good news is that there are methods you can use to reduce your overall use, whether you have a social media addiction or are simply spending more time on your apps than necessary.

To attain a more harmonious relationship with social media, it is recommended that you follow these suggestions:

• Eliminate your social media applications from your smartphone. Although they are still accessible from your personal computer, excluding them from your phone may reduce the overall time spent on social media.
• It is important to turn off your personal phone during work, school, meals, and recreational activities. Additionally, you can modify the settings of each social media application to disable specific notifications.
• Allocate a specific quantity of time each day to check social media updates. Activate a timer to ensure that you remain accountable.
• Adopt a new hobby that is not associated with technology. Sports, art, cuisine classes, and other activities are among the many examples.

Depending on your preferences, your hiatus may last a single day per week, a full month, or an entire season. Allow yourself to make this decision rather than your social media account.

Support And Treatment at Luxe Recovery

One of the most severe risks of social media use is the potential for behavioral addiction, which can result from the ease with which users can connect with others on platforms such as Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok and Facebook.

The most effective approach to initiating recovery and regaining control over one’s life is to seek assistance when one is addicted to social media. If you or a loved one is experiencing a social media addiction, please reach out to Luxe Recovery today to learn more about your treatment options.