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This article was written by Bongiwe Mati.
Occasional browsing on social media platforms may not seem bad, but how do we know when that has turned into an addiction?
According to research studies, this addiction is higher among those in their adolescence stage.
This is not to say that older individuals are immune to the addiction, as more people find it difficult to put down their smartphones when engaging on social media platforms, regardless of age.
This addiction may seem harmless, but it can slow down a person’s progress at school or work, as it often consumes a lot of time.
For those wondering what signs to look out for in order to determine if someone is a social media addict, we’ve compiled a few signs from trusted sources that shed light on the matter.
- Excessive amounts of time spent on social media – The amount of time spent on social media platforms is a red flag, especially when important responsibilities and commitments are neglected, shares the Social Media Law Victim Centre.
- Lack or reduction of time spent with friends or family – Sadly, this addiction not only affects those who are into social media platforms, but also those around them. The aforementioned publication notes that over time, as the addiction strengthens, the person “might distance themselves from family and friends and find it challenging to be fully present since most of their attention is directed towards social media.”
- Skipping social events – Finding the need to often cancel events just to have more time on social media platforms is a cause for concern, says the Social Media Law Victim Centre.
- Experiencing withdrawal when not online – According to the educational guide to addiction and recovery hub AddictionHelp, offline withdrawal symptoms are the biggest red flag. The information hub further states, “Withdrawal can occur with social media addiction due to the brain’s reliance on the flood of dopamine from using social media. When the brain becomes accustomed to social media usage that triggers dopamine release, it may struggle to function without the constant ‘high’ dopamine causes.” The hub adds, “Many components of social networking sites can cause the release of dopamine, such as social media notifications, seeing engagement on your post, or scrolling through content to find something exciting or unexpected.”
- Strong attachment to smartphone – This is one of the first signs to note when looking for social media addiction signs. The person’s deep emotional connection with their smartphone and inability to leave it even when charging could spell trouble, shares the Social Media Law Victim Centre.
This article first appeared on Bona.
Also see: Benefits Of A Social Media Detox
