What is Social Media Addiction and How to Help those who are Addicted
Social Media-Related Suicidal Signs
If someone you know makes comments on social media about suicide or expresses emotional pain online, always take them seriously! Whether it’s a single post or multiple, do not ignore them.
In addition to posts that directly reference dying, signs of emotional crisis in social media posts may include those that mention:
Self-medicating in response to emotional or physical pain.
Feeling alone or isolated.
Saying goodbye or expressing a desire to escape.
Feeling like a burden to coworkers or loved ones.
Feeling trapped or in unbearable pain.
Expressing hopelessness or having no reason to live.
Describing methods of suicide.
Social Media Elements of Addiction
Infinite Scrolling – This is a listing-page design approach that loads content continuously as the user scrolls down. The Dopamine Loop – The brain responds by releasing an increased amount of dopamine, the main neurotransmitter associated with reward and pleasure.
Fear of Missing Out (FOMO) – An emotional response to the belief that other people are living better, more satisfying lives or that important opportunities are being missed.
Social Media Fatigue – Social media users’ tendency to withdraw from social media because of feeling overwhelmed is closely related to individuals’ social life and well-being.
Textaphrenia – Is an apprehension that a text message has arrived.
Textiety – Is the anxious feeling of not receiving or sending text messages.
Nomophobia – Anxiety about not having access to a mobile phone or to mobile services.
Ringxiety phantom vibration syndrome – The false perception that one’s mobile phone or other technological device is vibrating when it is not.
Sleep texting disorder – A phenomenon in which a person replies to text messages or initiates sending messages while they are technically asleep.
Social Media Facts and Statistics
Social Media addiction is just as addictive as illegal drugs and gambling addiction.
Social Media addiction may alter your brain.
A 10-year study discovered that teenage girls at age 13 who spent 2 to 3 hours daily on social media were at a higher risk for suicide.
64.3% of teens were involved in a self-harm / suicidal situation.
82.2% of teens encountered nudity or content of a sexual nature.
14.2% of teens encountered predatory behaviors from someone online.
15.1% of teens encountered content about disordered eating.
Suicide, depression and anxiety peak at ages 15 – 16, and are slightly higher for females than for males.
41.2% of teens were exposed to language about anxiety.
83.3% of teens experienced bullying as a bully, victim or witness.
44.1% of teens engaged in conversation about depression.
88.2% of teens expressed or experienced violent subject matter or thoughts.
Social Media Addiction Tips and Resources
Stay off the social networks when you are going to eat, take a bath or lie in bed.
As it becomes habitual, plan and reduce the time period for using social media.
