Addiction of social media

Addiction of social media among teenagers.

 Introduction:

As our technology is growing rapidly things are also changing around us fasterly. It is true that innovations has offered several comforts to humans but I'm also not wrong if I said it is also the reason of many drastic problems whether social or physical. It is said that  Excursiveness of everything is bad whether it is  important or not doesn't matters later. What happened if this comfort providing technology  ruins our life completely ? I'm talking about a serious issue that not only teenagers but every second person is addicted to it that is addiction of social media. Although it is not included in mental disorder but it exists. It's symptoms are similar to drug or alcohol addicts.

What is social media addiction?

    

Social media is technological application and website that used to interact and connect people virtually . Every thing can be done with a blink of eyes .Today imagining Life without technology and social media is left ke a night mare . But when someone makes excessive use of that it becomes horrible . We don't have any estimate that how much time we scroll the screen of our smartphones in a day. Specially teenagers who finds that virtual world as an escape from their problems in reality. 

Causes of teenager's social media addiction: 

Teenagers are addicted to social media due to  number of reasons. They are

*Loneliness

*Boredum

*Depression

*Seeking attention

*Stress

*Emotional support

*Limelight

*Anxiety

*Disconnected

*Shy

*Overwhelmed

Teenagers thought  that they can escape from reality through this virtual world but they don't know that it is creating a negative feeling in their minds and affecting their future . Teenagers feel safe , accepted and loved . A teen who is shy at real life ,feel more confident behind the keyboard and expressing himself more openly . 

Today's teenagers are desperate for seeking attention , drama and spotlight on them . They want somebody to hear them for sharing their emotions and feelings

 after a bad moment in their life. Just like everyone  teens also love to have everyone watch them or focus on what they are doing.

 Signs of social media addiction :

 Here are some symptoms by which you or parents can recognise that your teen is overusing the social media and had been addicted to it .They are: 

 •  Ignoring necessary things for social media.

 • When teen spends too much time online.

 • It is the first thing you do in the morning.

 • you take photos of almost everything.

 • you waste your time in looking nonsense .

 • social media becomes part of your life.

 • you check notifications all time.

 • craving for internet connection.

 • constantly monitoring likes and share .

 • everytime scrolling your screen.

 • preoccupied with thoughts of being online.

 • lying about the time they spend online.

 • showing signs of anxiety and depression after being online.

Negative Impacts of social media addiction:

Physical impacts:

1. Overeating

2. Too much light from gadzet weakens retina .

3. Weakens immunity.

4. Chronic body ache due to poor posture

5. Schizophrenia disorder -

6. victims use social media to create disillusion perceptions.

Insomnia - 

person suffers from sleep disorder and stress.

Sexual problems and deviation -

Porn websites can cause negative influence on child mental stability .

Mental impacts:

Depression

Anxiety

Less self control

Hive mind and irritation

Fear of missing out

Lower self esteem

Social impacts:

Barrier between social and personal relationships.

Hamper confidence of individual in real world.

Enables individual to commit crimes online.

 Affects on adolescent brain:

 Social media addiction affects chemical processes of brain. As per research when a teen receives a like on social media same circuits of brain are activated as like he eat chocolates or earn money. It creates positive feedback and begins a cycle of desires for teen to create that positive feeling. As a result he used to post more and check repeatedly .

Tips for social media de-addiction:

1. Start with a small step .

2. Delete all addictive apps .

3. Stay away from social media.

4. Disable all notifications.

5. Work for your passion.

6. Stop irrelevant surfing .

7. Enable don't disturb mode.

8. Set a time limit for all apps.

9. Use an app  that prompts you to log out after a set limit of time. 

10. Change the way you use social media.

    Spend more time keeping in  touch with            friends actively rather than browsing. 

How as a parent you can help your child to treat social media addiction?

Family therapy:

Family is the first thing with one anybody is attached. It is said that you can win any thing in life if your family is with you. Similarly implementing changes in the whole family can help teen to better deal with problem.

Talk therapy:

Talk to your teen as a friend . Try to share his thoughts with you. Have a healthy discussion in a day with your child . Give attention and more care to him . Provide a mental support and time to him. That will surely help him in de-addiction .

Seek help of psychiatrist:

In severe cases you can also take help of psychiatrist . It's not shameless thing but sometimes treatment is necessary . Counselings may be also helpful.

Conclusion:

Social media can be a powerful productivity tool but self awareness and discipline are required to prevent them from becoming a pitfall of procrastination.