Internet and Social Media Addiction
Let’s realize that the hyperconnected world of today Internet and social media addiction is a rising problem. More and more people are finding themselves devoting too much time online as the internet’s great accessibility and the growth of social media channels reflect. Often what starts as a fast social media check or a cursory search becomes hours of scrolling, browsing, or interaction.
The design of these platforms—which are meant to be interesting, simple to use, and rewarding—helps to explain this addictive tendency. Users find it difficult to unplug since the continuous availability of fresh content, notifications, and quick conversation can set emotions of pleasure. As people want for the affirmation and social contact these sites offer, the pleasure of likes, comments, and shares on social media can also lead to compulsive use.
Addiction to social media and the Internet can affect daily tasks, relationships, mental and physical health over time. Finding balance in the digital era and learning how to properly control online behaviors depend on realizing the indicators of internet and social media addiction.
The beginning of all this.
Driven by the technological revolution started in 1989 when computer scientist Tim Berners-Lee developed the World Wide Web while working in Switzerland, the globe has experienced a significant change in the past few decades. Since then, the internet has evolved into a vital component of contemporary life, its use—and reliance on it—growing tremendously. For example, less than one percent of Americans utilized the internet in 1990 but today around 90 percent do.
Also amazing has been the emergence of social media driven by developments in cellphones and other gadgets. Everyone who has used social media or the internet is aware of how readily these sites can attract us in. Their design is simple and interesting; motions like swipes on a screen feel natural and even fun.
Beyond this simplicity of use, though, the internet and social media have something intrinsically appealing. Usually designed to take just a minute, a basic Google search turns up more material that piques our interest—articles, movies, podcasts we were not looking for but find intriguing. What began as a quick search before we know it has stretched an hour or more.
Likewise, a brief check on websites like Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter may easily turn into protracted scrolling since people find it difficult to stop searching for the next post or update. Apps for communication like WhatsApp and Telegram have also changed, growing more complex and handy and difficult to resist frequent checking. With its engrossing experiences, even gaming can entice individuals in for more than planned.
While some detractors contend these platforms and technologies are purposefully built to be addictive, all of them are meant to be frictionless and user-friendly. And for an increasing worldwide population, internet and social media use has become an addiction for many of them. More and more people find themselves spending too much time online, usually at the expense of their productivity, relationships, and well-being, which raises growing worldwide issues.
Any instrument can be turned against someone.
Although the internet is a fantastic tool, too much of it can have a harmful hypnotic effect: catching then maintaining your focus of attention until you ‘wake up’ from the online trance feeling weary.
It also often causes the brain to enter “hunting” mode, which can make it challenging for you to sleep for hours following.
Online seems to promise more than it can offer.
Though the internet ( forums, chat rooms, blogs etc.) can help us meet some of our demands for connection to other people, it is never going to be really satisfactory as a substitute for real life contacts.
Human beings are social animals, part of which is the physical presence of other people, eye contact, touch and so forth. Needs must be kept in balance since the internet simply cannot provide all of them.
Oddly, surfing the internet might make you feel as though you’re also accomplished something too. Still, are you? truly?
Is Internet Addiction Officially Accepted?
Although the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Diseases (DSM-5), the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-11), or the World Health Organization (WHO) do not formally classify internet addiction as a disorder, there is unmistakable evidence that it is a modern-day affliction of the twenty-first century.
One authority in this area, Ofir Turel, Associate Professor of Information Systems and Decision Sciences at California State University’s College of Business and Economics, has studied social media addiction. Five to ten percent of Americans, he believes, might fit the definition of being at risk of social media addiction.
The issue is such that in 2017 Internet and Technology Addicts Anonymous (ITAA) was founded as a new support organization. Inspired by the classic Twelve Steps method, this group says its goal is “ITAA is a 12-step fellowship of persons who help each other in recovery from excessive internet and technology use. Our only goals are to help others overcome this addiction and avoid obsessive usage of technology and the internet.
From cities all throughout the United States and abroad, ITAA provides several daily group sessions available over the phone, online, or in person. There are no membership criteria other than the want to cease obsessive internet and technology use; these meetings are free to attend.
“We admitted we were powerless over the internet and technology—that our lives had become unmanageable,” notes Step One of ITAA’s Twelve Steps. Although most meetings are held in English, the club also arranges meetings in Spanish, Russian, German, Hebrew, French, Dutch, Arabic, and other languages.
Do I suffer with social media or internet addiction?
The website Internet and Technology Addicts Anonymous (ITAA) offers a set of questions to enable people evaluate whether they might be suffering with social media or internet addiction. These questions contain the following and inspire honest self-examination:
Do you lie about or hide your use of technology and the internet?
First thing you do when you get up and/or the last thing you do before bed is using the internet or technology?
Do you find yourself driven to photograph a new location on social media while there?
Do you regularly capture events like meals or workouts only to share on social media?
Are you always checking your phone or computer to make updates or see what others are doing when you hang around with friends?
To make up for a lack of in-person connection, do you follow powerful or beautiful people on social media?
You planned to quickly check Facebook or Instagram, only to find hours had passed.
Responding “yes” to these questions could imply that usage of social media or the internet is starting to cause problems in your life.
Define addiction for us here.
Addiction can be characterized as acting in a way that hurts others or oneself yet feeling unable to quit despite the bad results. The Latin word meaning “to wear away,” “detrimental” describes many addictions—many of which progressively wear down the individual battling them as well as the people close by.
Those hooked can find themselves completely aware of the harm they are causing yet feel helpless to quit. The addiction seems to rule and guide their behavior and choice. Addiction, then, is not only about the act itself but also about the whole process preceding and accompanying the addictive behavior. This covers the planning, excitement, and preparation as well as the aftermath—managing harm, guilt, and issues brought about by the addiction.
For instance, dishonesty might become rather frequent in cases of internet and social media addiction. Someone engrossed in social media for hours could skip college, work, or scheduled appointments, yet feel guilty to tell the truth. Rather, they start to create reasons.
This kind of behavior usually results in remorse and self-reproach since the person understands deep down they are wasting time, being self-absorbed, and neglecting their obligations. Ironically, people return to the internet or social media since they want to get away from these emotions and realize only this is how they can modify their mood right now.
It starts a vicious cycle whereby the addiction numbs the ache momentarily but finally causes additional misery.
Pursues Still Another High
Social networking is a potent diversion from difficult feelings, much as any addiction is. It also presents a “high” like that which heroin users go through. Feel-good hormones like serotonin and dopamine released in the brain produce this high.
Professor Ofir Turel of California State University notes that those who exhibit signs of social media addiction have more active and sensitive reward system in the brain. “This indicates social media offers satisfying events that release dopamine in the brain, the same chemical generated when we eat cake or have sex. It teaches your brain over time to become more regularly desiring of checking social media.
The high for many social media junkies comes from the validation they get—that which comes from likes or comments on their postings. These highs, however ephemeral, drive people to post more frequently or in ways that would get even more attention.
For instance, a young individual might publish sexually suggestive pictures or videos knowing that more provocative materials usually attract greater attention. Likewise, people hoping for a significant response may publish incendiary or divisive material on Twitter or Facebook. Even if their article offends or damages others, they get gratification.
Usually resulting from low self-esteem, this conduct is fundamentally driven by a need for outside approval. Social media junkies chase the fleeting high social media offers and may feel inadequate or unworthy in their daily life.
Addiction is a progressive illness.
Like any addictions, folks who suffer with internet or social media addiction discover with time increasing cravings. Unless individuals change their behavior—spending more time online or looking for progressively exciting content—the initial high or satisfaction they originally felt reduces.
Addiction is clearly a progressive disorder. First recognized back in 1956 when the American Medical Association (AMA) defined alcohol addiction to be a disease, Along with gambling, employment, exercise, gaming, and sex, internet and social media addiction is today categorized as behavioral addictions—also known as process addictions.
Behavioral addictions can cause physical health issues, same as with alcohol and drug addiction. For example, the tension resulting from obsessive internet use could aggravate stomach problems or cardiac diseases. Moreover, people hooked to technology could overlook their own self-care, improper eating, poor sleeping quality, or basic cleanliness.
Long-term screen use also carries medical hazards like eye strain, back pain, and disorders like carpal tunnel syndrome. Furthermore, the emotional toll of feeling powerless and hooked could raise one’s risk of stress, worry, and depression. Sometimes people try to numb their emotions by turning to drugs or alcohol, therefore aggravating the problem.
Socially, addiction can cause loneliness. Many people find themselves pulling away from in-person contacts in favor of spending more time online. This seclusion simply fuels the addiction and starts a destructive circle.
How might I cut back on or stop using social media?
Should you find that your usage of social media or the internet is causing problems, there are many tactics you could try:
See friends and relatives personally and promise not to use any electronics when you are with them.
Take up an unconnected to technology new pastime. Think about painting, cooking, sports, learning a new language, or instrumental performance.
When you go out, leave your gadgets behind. Keep them not in your pocket or purse carried everywhere.
Turn off alerts to avoid being pulled to check your phone or computer nonstop.
Keep electronics out of the bedroom so late-night browsing or scrolling won’t disturb your sleep.
Plan daily time specifically for using social media or the internet. Use discipline to stay inside this limit.
If some apps especially appeal to you or occupy too much of your time, delete them.
Plan frequent breaks from the internet and social media, maybe a day or more away. Spend this time doing something soothing, such as walking or enjoying time in the countryside.
For an addiction, what fixes exists?
Fortunately, any addiction has always a remedy. Many folks find relief with hypnosis.
Get Over Social Media and Internet Addiction
Under hypnosis, break the time-wasting, life-damaging cycle.
You might find ‘Internet and Social Media Addiction’ to be really strong.
Although compulsively surfing the net seems innocuous, if it’s something you feel driven to do, then make no mistake; you will become anxious until you receive your ‘fix’.
It’s an addiction.
Does it seem out of control?
Sometimes you start surfing and then wonder where the evening vanished to.
Do you perhaps have an addiction?
Whether you are actually ‘addicted’ or not, if internet surfing sometimes comes before real life, or if you use the internet even when you had promised yourself you wouldn’t then you may have established an addictive connection to the internet.
What solution is there for an addiction?
Thankfully, there is always a solution to any addiction. Many people find help through Hypnosis
Break the time-wasting, life-damaging cycle with hypnosis
- Does it feel out of control?
- Do you sometimes start surfing then wonder where the evening went?
- Is it possible you have an addiction?
Whether you are truly ‘addicted’ or not, if internet surfing sometimes come before real life, or if you use the internet even when you had promised yourself you wouldn’t then you may have entered an addictive relationship to the internet.
What would freedom from Internet and Social Media addiction feel like?
If you add up all the hours you’ve spent on the internet in the last year, what would that look like? It might be worth doing that now, just to add to your motivation to quit!
Then have a think about all the things you could achieve in that amount of time.
You clearly have the ability to focus on something for a long period of time – what if that was something truly productive? What could you achieve?
What will you be doing in your life once you are freed up from having to spend so much time on the internet? The skills and talents and constructive satisfactions you can develop. This session will help you get your life back on track.
Download Overcome Internet and Social Media Addiction now and free up your life. You can listen on your computer or device or via our free app which you can access when you have completed your purchase.
Overcome Internet and Social Media Addiction
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