Occasional browsing of 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 in numbers among those in their adolescence stage.
This is not to say that those older are immune to the addiction, as a growing more people find it difficult to put down their automobiles 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 who are wondering what signs to look out for in order to determine a social media addict, we’ve compiled a few signs from trusted sources that aim to shed light on the matter.
- Excessive amounts of time spent on social media – The amount of time spent on social media platforms is really 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 affects not only those who are on social media platforms but those around them too. The above-mentioned publication as that as time goes on and 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 of 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 is 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 Social Media Law Victim Centre.
Also see: When is the right time for children to start using social media
