Addiction is a mental state characterized by compulsiveness and overuse of something. People assume that dependence only occurs among those who abuse drugs and alcohol. However, digitalization and social media present a similar challenge to some individuals. Notably, about 2.71 billion humans globally have smartphones and internet access (Montag, 2019). The implication is that they can easily turn to social media platforms such as TikTok, Facebook, and Instagram for entertainment and connection. Despite its advantages, continuous and uncontrollable use makes it easy to develop an addiction.
Social media use impacts the nerves in the brain and can cause psychological and physical addiction. Particularly the gratification from social media can activate spontaneous and automatic use (Brailovskaia & Teichert, 2020). With continued use, the brain reward system activates sensations that make the person subconsciously pick up their phone and go directly to social media. Diagnostic manuals are currently debating on including addiction as a mental disorder. According to Montag (2019), the International Classification of Diseases and Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders has already included internet gaming disorder. Furthermore, mental health specialists are increasingly conceding that chronic social media use can be challenging to stop.
In conclusion, continued and uncontrolled social media use to satisfy emotional needs can result in compulsive use. Typically, people do not realize when they are becoming addicted. The brain gets used to the rewards from such channels, and it becomes automatic for the person to use social media. The result is that the person spends so much time with their smartphones. Moreover, some people cannot stay for even an hour without subconsciously viewing the online connections channels. Thus, social media is addictive without moderation in its utilization.
References
Brailovskaia, J., & Teichert, T. (2020). “I like it” and “I need it”: Relationship between implicit associations, flow, and addictive social media use. Computers in Human Behavior, 113(3), 1-29.
Montag, C., Lachmann, B., Herrlich, M., & Zweig, K. (2019). Addictive features of social media/Messenger platforms and Freemium games against the background of psychological and economic theories. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 16(14), 1-12.