Social Media Addiction

September 22, 2022

Can we live without it?

We all would find it difficult to live without our phones and social media. It’s how we communicate at work, with family, and friends. It’s how we learn things and how to get places. Phone numbers, addresses, and appointments keep us connected. Social media is a platform for self-expression and creativity, for building personal brands and sharing experiences. Our whole lives are stored on our cell phones.

The top five websites that people use are google.com, YouTube.com, Facebook.com, twitter.com, and instagram.com. On average, people in the United States check their phones 344 times per day, once every 4 minutes. (Reviews.org — 2022 cell phone usage statistics)

Social media has been linked to poor sleep, anxiety, and depression.

Signs that social media may be a concern.

Constantly taking photos and selfies on a cell phone to upload to social media.
Waking up in the middle of the night or reaching for your cell phone upon waking up in the morning.
Checking social media while making dinner or doing household chores.
Engaging in social media throughout the day. For example, ‘checking in’ when you sit down to work, then again to get some lunch, and each time you change a task or activity.
Being unable to complete tasks for work or school because you have spent so much time on social media.
Finding it difficult to have face-to-face conversations. Feeling more comfortable talking with people via cell phone, email, or messaging.
Having many more friends on social media than in real life.

What to do?

Put yourself on a strict social media and email diet.
Put your phone away when you need to concentrate on a task. You are more efficient and can get things done faster.
Check your email at scheduled times you have chosen.
Some people delete certain apps from their phone.
Spend more time on enjoyable activities that take you away from the online world.
Take up a new hobby — such as painting, playing an instrument, learning a new sport.
Spend time doing things with your family — such as playing games, gardening, barbecuing.

What are some of the non-social media activities you do?

Have an amazing day!