Social Media & How It Affects The Human Brain
Today's world is shaped by social media platforms. What started as a great way to stay connected with your friends has now become an integral part of our lives, influencing the way we make communications, build relationships, and consume information.
A previously held MIT study found that frequent access to social media led to a 7% increase in severe depression and a 20% increase in anxiety disorders among students.
The popularity of social media platforms is at its peak and continues to soar as it reaches the remotest locations of the world. It has become really important to understand the impact these social media platforms have on our brains.
This article by one of the most prominent Social Media Marketing Agency in Delhi NCR aims to highlight the effects of social media on our brain and explore its implications on our mental well-being.
Understanding Social Media Addiction
As we dig deeper into how these social media platforms work, it can be said that these platforms have evolved into a tool to capture and maintain our very attention. Social media platforms implement various psychological and neurological tricks to keep users engaged and coming back for more. Making it an habit that gradually turns into an addiction, unknowingly.
These platforms have developed different algorithms that curate content based on an individual's interests and even mapping the behavioral patterns such as clicks, likes, comments, shares, etc. to create a personalized experience. The constant stream of different notifications popping up on mobile screens trigger a sense of validation and pleasure in our brains.
Dopamine and the Reward System
It is observed that when we receive positive reactions on social media, our brain releases dopamine, a neurotransmitter associated with pleasure and reward. This dopamine release strengthens our desire for more engagement and contributes to the addictive nature of social media. The instant satisfaction we get from the likes or comments we receive can extend to become repetitive behaviors and compulsive social media use.
Effects of Social Media on Emotional Well-Being
While social media provides lots of opportunities for connecting with the world and the availability of social support, it also has detrimental effects on our emotional well-being. Studies have shown a correlation between heavy social media use and increased feelings of loneliness, depression, and anxiety.
Constant exposure to carefully curated and idealized versions of other people’s lives can lead to negative self-comparisons and feelings of inadequacy.
Unnecessary Online Comparison
When we spend excessive time on social media, it leads to unnecessary social comparison. This state is where people create their own worth based on others' representation of success and happiness on social media. This type of online comparison can develop the feelings of inadequacy and affect the self-esteem of a person. One might feel that they are lacking something in life or doing something wrong compared to others.
This constant urge to get likes and comments creates a cycle of approval to please one's sense of self-worth. This psychological impact underlines the importance of a much needed balanced perspective on social media to reduce the negative effects on our mental well-being.
The Fear of Missing Out - FOMO
The Fear of Missing Out, popularly known as FOMO, is a feeling one experiences due to excess use of social media. It's like that feeling of everyone else is having a great time without you, and you are missing all the fun. Because of which, people often find themselves stuck to their screens on social media, feeling anxious not to miss any updates. These updates can affect with your brain, making you feel like you're missing out on cool stuff happening around you.
It might also make you worry about unnecessary things and even take away the enjoyment of what's actually happening in your real life. So, it is good to find a balance between our online and offline life to keep the FOMO away.
Overload of Information
When we engage ourselves constantly on social media platforms, we get hit with news, updates, and irrelevant information, and occupy our brain with useless things. This can be too much to handle for our brains. Sorting through all that information becomes a task, making it hard to focus on one thing.
Because of this information overload, our attention span is shrinking, and we might struggle to think deeply about things. Remembering stuff also becomes a bit tougher gradually. So, social media can overstuff our brain with unnecessary information which may lead to significant cognitive impacts.
Disruption of Sleep
The use of electronic devices, including social media platforms, before bedtime can interfere with our sleep patterns. The glow from screens, especially the blue light, may negatively affect the sleepy hormone called melatonin. So, scrolling through social media at night might make it harder for you to doze off.
The limitless consumption of social media content and the urge to check notifications can reduce your sleeping cycle and its duration, resulting in fatigue and low cognitive performance.
Cyberbullying & Online Harassment
Cyberbullying and online harassment are big concerns for social media. Sometimes out of jealousy or just to hurt someone people tend to harm and tarnish one's personality online. This confidence comes from the sheer anonymity and separation from real-life consequences.
This kind of cyberbullying and online harassment can have serious effects on the victims, causing them higher stress, anxiety, and sometimes even depression due to the negative experiences they face online. It is important for us to be mindful of our online interactions while creating a positive digital environment for everyone.
Mindful Strategies for Social Media Use
To eliminate the negative effects of social media on our brain, it is essential to prioritize healthy social media habits. Following are some strategies you can consider:
Set Time Limits
Schedule specific time of the day for social media to avoid endless scrolling, preventing undue strain on your brain.
Mindful Engagement
Keep your emotions intact while using social media, at times it may get overwhelming, you must take a break to maintain your mental well-being.
Diversify Your Activities
Balance your life by engaging in physical activities and spending time with your closed ones. Playing outdoor games, going for a trekk with friends, can be a great habit to follow.
Filter Content Wisely
Unfollow accounts that may develop negativity or feelings of inadequacy in you. Try to follow and engage with people who inspire you and make your life more meaningful. Create a positive online space that supports your mental health.
Make Authentic Connections
Build genuine connections through meaningful conversations. People tend to fake their profiles online, beware of those. Safeguard yourself from falling into the trap of ‘catfishing’.
The Bottom Line
The impact social media has on our brains is huge. From controlling our emotions to reducing our attention spans, it plays a major role in our daily lives. While it offers fruitful connections and important information, it is also essential to understand its downsides. Having a balanced online/offline life and using social media consciously can give us benefits without affecting our mental well-being.
Moreover, businesses, with the help of our Social Media Marketing companies in Delhi NCR, can initiate in shaping better online experiences for all. Choosing the right Social Media Marketing Agency in Delhi NCR is key to promoting a positive digital environment. Let's enjoy the benefits of social media while understanding its impact on our minds.
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