Are You Addicted?

How important is Social Media to your day?

Does it make you happy or irritated?

Are you addicted?

Social media can be addictive – both psychologically and physically due to the effect it has on the brain. My day can be going along nicely until I look at my phone and I become distracted by something which has absolutely nothing to do with me.

A study by Harvard University uncovered; the same part of the brain which can be ignited by chemical substances can light up when you are rewarded on social media. Virtual likes, hearts and flowers creep in to replace real life interactions. Like Pavlov’s dog you begin to repeat, present and perform on platforms for reward and appraisal.

The ‘hit’ sends messages along pathways affecting decisions and sensations to neurons in the dopamine-producing areas and there is a rise in level to create positive reinforcement. It may be physically healthier than having a biscuit each time but mentally it can lead to isolation and paranoia.

Social media, rather than being a ‘social’ leveller, may inadvertently promote inequality rather than adding to esteem and self-worth. Software metrics mean social status is created by something which is ‘quantified and appraised’ in order to prioritize content for whoever gets the most attention. Creating a culture of narcissism.

Metrics lead to the counting of “likes” on a photo in order to measure your value and people begin to feel unworthy or upset if a post is stagnant. How can you quantify how much you are ‘liked’ on a public forum with an audience of people you do not know is insane?

When did it become the ‘norm’ to post a picture of your breakfast and hope to become famous? Most people don’t even make it themselves. I tested this recently on two separate forums. One was a beautiful picture of my grandchildren and the other was a bread roll and sausage and guess what?

A 5 inch phallic piece of pork on a piece of buttered, baked dough won by a metric mile!

Come off your phone and out of your mind into reality and see the possibilities.

Walk barefoot on the sand!

Walk in the rain!

Detox!