Social media are computer-based, interactive technologies which facilitate virtual communities and networks for sharing information, opportunities and comment plus photo’s and videos or ideas.
Instead of using these as a resource for information and connectivity with community, have you become obsessed?
Many people experience withdrawal and dependency.
Are most of your friends in the cyber world, rather than the real world?
Have you developed a need to connect and be relevant in the cyber world.?
As a result, do you tend to ignore the real world around?
As a result, are your real relationships, work, and education suffering?
Has your cyber world ‘Avitar’ taken on a personality of its own, which may be at odds with your own personality? Do you live through the Avitar?
‘Click Here’ Penny is addicted to online gaming. Big Bang Theory.
Do you feel a need to be connected, to stay in touch all the time so you can respond immediately? Are you constantly checking your social media, often day and night?
Do the people around you feel as if it has taken over your life?
Any and all of these may indicate you have a social media dependency.
Over time their popularity comes and goes. Currently, the most popular platforms are;
- Facebook.
- TikTok.
- WeChat.
- YouTube.
- Instagram.
- Twitter.
- Linked In
- Tumblr.
- Viber.
- Skype.
- Facetime.
- Messenger
- Telegram
- Snap Chat
- Reditt
- Qzone
- JOSH
- Teiba
- Twitch
- Line
- VK
- Threads
- Truth Social
- Vivo
- WhatsApp.
- Zoom
- and many others..
In some countries the main purpose of Internet in the general population is social media access.
Social media dependency is a behavioral addiction whereby people are driven by an uncontrollable urge to use social media. They devote so much time and effort to social media that it affects their family, study or work, and real life social relationships. They cannot stop, avoid or limit their use.
Teenagers are particularly at risk from social media dependency because they are going through a ‘socialisation stage’ in their lives. They feel a need to ‘connect’ with others beyond their immediate family. Traditionally we did this within our own school and community environment. it came with challenges, which are valuable life learning experiences.
Social media gives young people an opportunity to play with their identity protected by a screen. While it can have some advantages it can and often does come with disadvantages, even dangers. Sharing gossip can be fun, however it can descend into outright abuse.
Cyber bullying exists within social media. that’s a fact. But the problem is it can become 24/7. The only way to escape it is to withdraw and switch it off.
Some people use social media to create fake identities so they can access young people for their own gratification. They seek to manipulate and control young minds and bodies.
Some people actually die as a result of social media and online gaming. ‘Click Here’ to read more.
Even within social groups such as school sharing of explicit sexual images and videos is common. Almost every girl receives unsolicited images of boys and men’s ‘junk’ via social media.
Many people fall victim to ‘mind control’ techniques used by social media companies to keep people engaged on their platform for as long as possible, so that search engines will reward them for their popularity.
Others are attracted to social media because they feel it provides them with something missing in their ‘real lives’, such as ‘like minded’ friendships. Some create make believe profiles with fake photos. Some swap their gender, age or nationality to make themselves appear more attractive. They hide behind their fake identity – something they cannot do in real life. They can then live out an existence as another person. However, it is all fantasy and they run the risk of bribery, manipulation and exposure. There are recorded cases of young people being driven to suicide as a result of these fantasy identities. They have the potential to overtake and ruin lives if allowed to ‘run riot’.
Social media dependency may include:
- Thinking about it, checking in on social media accounts often, even obsessively.
- Feeling a need to be relevant.
- Neglecting real life relationships, study and work ethic.
- Difficulty focusing on things other than social media.
- Perhaps feeling restless, anxious, or agitated when unable to access social media.
- Retreating into social media to escape the realities of real life.
- Increased social media access use over time to achieve satisfaction and happiness.
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Addiction Monitor
The primary sign of a dependency is a need, or a compulsive habit, that may cause a struggle to limit or stop the behavior. They may suffer from emotional outbursts if unable to connect.
The good news is technology can be used to limit, control or even overcome social media in one’s life. This can be done in the privacy and safety of home without struggle.
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