Social networks - alcohol at any time of the day

2024 Author: James Gerald | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 14:00

Statistics states: 90% of the population of our country is actively living in the Internet space. And only 5% consciously give up online existence.

Someone enjoys reality and does not need to spy on others. And some are struggling with network addiction.

Does it really exist? Is it so dangerous? How can you cope with it? Let's try to find answers to these questions.

123RF / Eugenio Marongiu

Social media: what's the catch?

It would be wrong to call social media an absolute evil. On the contrary, when used correctly, they greatly expand our capabilities.

But here's the problem: very few people know how to use their "benefits" reasonably. Psychologists and sociologists argue that people are increasingly abusing virtual communication, neglecting live communication, because in social networks:

• just make acquaintances and express your point of view. At the same time, the author does not bear any responsibility for his words and actions, because he can hide behind someone else's photos and names.
• it is easy to arrange leisure: you do not need to leave the house, go somewhere, look for fellow travelers or interlocutors, spend money.

How addiction develops

Yes, addiction to social networks exists, although it is not recognized by official medicine. Psychologists are increasingly using this term, implying an irrepressible craving for viewing photos, reading and evaluating other people's posts, impulsive purchases and meaningless chatter in the online space.

2.5 hours a day - this is how much time the average Internet user spends on virtual social platforms today.

What does he get there?

Positive emotions

Basically, the content of any social network is designed to evoke positive feelings in the consumer. That is why there are so many beautiful photos, funny videos, “good” actions and appeals, wise posts, approval and support in our news feed. And we, leafing through it, of course, experience the whole gamut of positive emotions.

Self-playing videos are especially effective in this regard. You don't even need to press a button - your "network" friend has already taken care of how to cheer you up.

Naturally, in search of a positive, people constantly return to social networks. And over time, you want more and more.

Information diversity

The social site is a very functional place. Here you can not only communicate, listen to music and watch films, but also find new information, participate in marathons, contests, promotions, express your opinion, share feelings, implement ideas and organize your own events. And all this is quick, mobile, sometimes instantly.

A person feels that he is in the center of events, his life becomes brighter, more interesting, richer. And his brain is constantly busy with the digestion of the information received. And after a while, it begins to need constant informational "chewing gum".

123RF / Cathy Yeulet

Hormonal aspect

Our biological characteristics also play an important role in the formation of network addiction. One of the reactions of the human body to the external environment is the production of hormones. For example, being on social networks allows him to be saturated with dopamine and oxytocin - hormones of desire and pleasure. They are proven to be addictive.

Dopamine "Helps" us to constantly want something and to persistently go towards it. Curiosity provokes its release into the blood. For example, a person sees only a piece of information that catches him. At this moment, the body produces a hormone that makes it "rush into battle" - to seek, obtain, take possession.

On social media, a constant stream of scrappy information pours on us, which stimulates the constant production of dopamine. In addition, dopamine encourages us to strive for something new. For example, check for updates on social networks, notifications, likes, fresh comments on the discussion in which we participated, and so on.

Dopamine is the same substance that is produced when we drink, smoke and gamble. But no external restrictions are imposed on social media.

According to Simon Sinek, a well-known motivational speaker and writer, a whole generation from 1984 and later grew up in the world of social networks and mobile phones and in times of severe stress got used to seeking support not from living people, but from smartphones. We recommend watching this video of Simon's performance, in which he in detail compares free access to social media with unlimited access to a bar full of alcoholic beverages.

Oxytocin right there when people express sympathy for each other through hugs and kisses. Continuous and varied communication on social networks also forces our body to produce this hormone.

As a result, a person forgets about stress, relaxes, feels trust and disposition towards the interlocutor, a desire to sympathize and show love. "Drugging" with oxytocin can be called the "promiscuous" behavior of some users on social networks: overly active re-posts of requests for help, "good" posts, a desire to openly communicate and talk about their personal life.

123RF / Raisa Kanareva

Personality changes

So, seemingly harmless attempts to look into the “windows” of other people's lives, to express their emotions through “like” or “comment” lead to addiction. And she, according to psychologists, seriously affects a person's personality. It becomes difficult for someone who is addicted to:

Concentrate on one thing

This is how many feel when they get to an amusement park. When you meet with a lot of entertainment, your eyes run up, you want to cover everything at once. What kind of attention is there? How can you focus on choosing the best slide in such an environment?

A visitor to social networks experiences similar feelings, only he is already used to this variety, and he does not need to choose anything.

Meanwhile, over time, the ability to concentrate on one thing fades away. And this seriously affects the thought processes. Both "internal" and "external" speech becomes abrupt, thought now and then jumps from one to another.

Stop the constant flow of thoughts

The brain gets used to continuously receiving information. Without it, he falls into a stupor and begins to give SOS signals - a person gets stuck on some one topic and constantly procrastinates, he constantly tries to remember something important, but cannot do this, is not able to at least pause the thought process and relax …

Relax fully

The constant flow of information is constant stress. And not because of its content. It's just that the brain works nonstop, the body is in tension, emotions are at the limit, and the body too.

Hence the chronic feeling of fatigue, weakness, although it seems to a person that he seems to be resting.

123 RF / Kaspars Grinvalds

Develop intellectually

It would seem that the brain is constantly doing something, but the development of personality due to the acquisition of new knowledge does not occur. Social media communication is not an intellectual activity.

It has long been known that watching TV continuously is not a substitute for school for a child. But with social networks, there is no such understanding. Most often, people think that by "pouring" everything into themselves, they will automatically grow smarter.

However, information needs to be comprehended, processed, experienced and applied on our own experience. This is not possible on social media. There is too much of it, and it replaces each other so quickly that it introduces a person into a stupor and a weak-willed state of consumption.

Maintain an adequate emotional background

When processing information, a person experiences many emotions and feelings. Sometimes he is unable to cope with them, so the body automatically blocks them, reducing the heat.

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And now a person is indifferent to the terrible life circumstances of another and calls for help. He simply scrolls through the tape, out of the corner of his eye notes that he could do this or that, until recently, fascinated him, things.

Now he has no time for them. I do not want anything, apathy prevails. A post can awaken feelings for a short while, but usually it is so fleeting that a person does not even have time to get up from behind the monitor, and the desire to do something is already fading away.

5 steps to freedom

The method requires sufficient moral effort, but anyone who is firmly resolved to get rid of addiction can do it. A nice bonus is that you don't need to take any medications. Here are some steps to victory.

• The first step is to realize and accept the fact that a lot of important "life" time and energy has already been spent on social media.
• The second step is to set tough priorities: first, things are in reality, and then, as a reward for the work done, a limited visit to the social network.
• The third step is to transfer communication to reality as much as possible. Actively plan your leisure time: go to visit, visit museums, cinema, cafes and more. With those who are far away, communicate by phone or skype. And no messaging on social media.

123RF / andersonrise

• Fourth step - download and actively use a special application that will automatically limit your stay in social networks.
• Fifth step - delete your accounts. If you decide on it, then respect and our congratulations!