Today, the use of social media is increasing and it affects everyone’s life. It has advantages and positive aspects as well as negative aspects. Social media addiction is known to be as bad as alcohol and drugs. Young people experience events that will put their lives at risk because of social media in a period when more sensitive and emotional aspects are more dominant. Excessive use of social media has a negative impact on the health and well-being of users, especially young users. This effect causes serious problems that cannot be underestimated. Individuals’ academic success, relationships, real-life perceptions and even body perceptions are negatively affected. So how do we know if we are addicted to social media?
- Do you spend too much time on social media? Do you do things like think about social media or plan to engage in social media when you’re not online?
- Do you impulsively, involuntarily, spend a long time on social media?
- Do you forget about the problems in your own life while using social media?
- Have you tried to minimize your social media use and failed?
- Do you feel restless and distressed when you cannot access social media?
- Does your use of social media negatively affect your social and educational/business life?
By answering these questions, you can realize whether you have a social media addiction or not.
NEGATIVE EFFECTS OF SOCIAL MEDIA ADDICTION
- Anxiety
- Depression
- feeling of loneliness
- Attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder
- sleep problems
- Problems in bilateral relations
- Decreased grades and inability to focus on lessons
- Obsessive compulsive disorder
- Perception disorder
- cyberbullying
- social insecurity
- Jealousy
- hate speech
It has many negative effects such as reluctance (starting a job, starting a study).
WHY DO WE CARE ABOUT GETTING A “LIKE”?
It has become a kind of obsession to receive “likes” for posts shared on social media channels. This like button has actually become more than a reaction for the person who shares it. Meanings such as being liked, approved, appreciated and loved are attributed to the person. While individuals feel better as they get likes, they feel bad as they get less likes. It can also be defined as a positive and negative effect on the ego of individuals. A person’s self-esteem assessment is also affected at the same rate. The concept of liking in social media not only drags people into depression and loneliness, but also causes alienation from their identities. Thus, a feeling of insecurity can also be seen in a lack of self-confidence. As a result, these effects of social media affect the psychology of the individual to a considerable extent.
