SOCIAL MEDIA AND IT’S CONSEQUENCES FOR MENTAL, PHYSICAL, AND SPIRITUAL HEALTH
The problem of social media addiction is growing and has a significant impact on mental health. The COVID-19 pandemic led to a notable surge in social media usage, which in turn encouraged reliance. A substantial correlation has been shown in the literature between social media addiction and mental health problems such as anxiety, depression, and other illnesses. To stop this addiction’s negative effects, it’s essential to keep your physical and mental health in balance. What Is Addiction to Social Media? Overuse and compulsive use of social media sites like Facebook and Instagram are symptoms of social media addiction. Similar to alcohol and caffeine addictions, this addiction impairs everyday functioning, employment, interpersonal connections, and the general quality of life.
Spending too much time on social media, putting off daily tasks, becoming nervous or restless when unable to access social media, feeling bad after consuming too much content, and putting social media above relationships and self-care are all important warning signs.
EFFECT ON EMOTIONS
1. Fear of Missing Out (FOMO): An obsession with staying current can result in obsessive social media browsing.
2. Social Isolation: Overuse results in less time spent with close friends and family, which breeds loneliness.
3. Depression and Sadness: Self-care issues brought on by social media use might exacerbate depressed symptoms.
4. Comparison and Jealousy: Feelings of inadequacy and jealousy can arise from constantly comparing oneself to others on social media.
5. Delusion and Overthinking: Dependency breeds confusion and overthinking, which wears out the mind.
6. Sleep Disturbance: Late-night social media use disrupts sleep patterns.
7. Sedentary Lifestyle: Excessive use promotes a sedentary lifestyle, increasing obesity risk.
8. Binge Eating: Social media distractions can lead to unhealthy eating habits.
Social media addiction significantly threatens mental health. Recognizing the signs and seeking professional help can mitigate its impact, promoting better mental health and overall well-being. Early intervention and lifestyle adjustments are key to overcoming this modern-day challenge.
Excessive use of social media has been linked to detrimental effects on physical health, according to research. College students who use social media extensively have higher levels of C-reactive protein (CRP), a sign of chronic inflammation connected to major diseases like diabetes, several malignancies, and cardiovascular disease, according to a University at Buffalo study. Additionally, these students reported a higher frequency of visits to healthcare providers and a higher number of physical symptoms, such as headaches and back and chest problems. Social media use, which is most common among those in their late teens and early 20s, typically entails six hours a day of online engagement. Extensive usage of this medication has been linked to negative physical health outcomes, as indicated by self-reported symptoms and behaviours, as well as molecular markers such as CRP.
In this study, 251 college students, ages 18 to 24, gave blood samples and answered questions about their usage of social media, including Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, and Twitter, as well as their health. Understanding the wider health implications of digital involvement is crucial, as evidenced by the statistics that clearly linked high levels of social media use to an increase in physical health difficulties. Even while the study’s findings show a correlation, it also highlights the need for more investigation to demonstrate causality because poor health may also be a factor in rising social media usage. The complex relationship between social media use and health suggests that while some people may gain from social media, others—especially those with lower self-esteem—may suffer negative consequences.
In general, this study highlights the urgent need to identify and treat the possible negative effects of social media addiction on physical health, broadening the scope beyond mental health to encompass overall health outcomes.
Social media overload may be endangering our spiritual health in this day and age. The University of Virginia study indicates that people choose ongoing interaction over introspection, which is supported by their constant desire for stimulation. Our dependence on digital connectivity is changing the way we live and having an effect on our spiritual development.
The statistics are staggering: Gen Z checks their phones 79 times a day on average, and platforms like Instagram and TikTok boast millions of active users. Yet, amidst this digital frenzy, are we losing touch with our spiritual selves?
The remarks made by A.W. Tozer in 1948 still holds disturbingly true. In “The Pursuit of God,” he issues a warning about a generation that is impatient and prefers more indirect, slower ways to accomplish their aims. As we move forward in time, the distinction between authentic experiences and carefully chosen information has become more hazy due to our concern with social validation. We now find ourselves valuing our experiences more on the basis of their potential for online affirmation than on their inherent worth. Our addiction is fueled by the dopamine rush that comes from likes and comments, which drives us to constantly seek for digital validation.
Authenticity frequently loses out to cultural norms in our spiritual life due to this addiction. Our relationship with God turns become a performance, more concerned with public shows of devotion than real intimacy. The clamour of social media obscures the idea of enduring. Even in our relationships with the supernatural, we find it difficult to stay present. The constant pursuit of digital distraction has made it rare to be able to sit still and think.
Our minds clamour for the rapid satisfaction of digital involvement even during times of prayer and reflection. It’s hard to communicate with the Almighty who whispers to us among the chaos because we’re used to interactions being easy. However, hope remains. By seeing the harm that social media addiction causes to our spiritual well-being, we can take action to restore our relationship with God. Setting limits, like allotted screen-free periods or giving priority to in-person connections over virtual ones, may be necessary to achieve this. True spiritual development necessitates a return to the fundamental principles revealed in scripture, as A.W. Tozer explains. By eschewing conformity to social norms and adopting an authentic introspective mindset, we can create space for God to speak to us in the stillness.
May we develop the ability to discern the soft voice of the holy amid the clamor on social media in a world where digital noise is everywhere. Because genuine fulfilment comes from the deep connection we experience in God’s presence, not from the transient approval of online connections.
NAVIGATING MORAL AND ETHICAL CONCERNS IN SOCIAL MEDIA ADDICTION
The importance of ethical considerations in social media has grown as the digital landscape continues to grow. The ethical consequences of an addiction to social media go well beyond screen time and include everything from cyberbullying to privacy violations. This article explores some of the moral and ethical issues related to social media addiction, such as algorithmic bias, backbiting, gossiping, improper content intake, and fake news. Privacy Issues: One of the main moral conundrums associated with social media addiction is privacy. Unknowingly giving platforms personal information, users run the risk of it being sold to other parties or used for targeted advertising. This brings up serious issues regarding how user data is handled and how privacy rights are being undermined in the digital era.
Cyberbullying: People may feel more comfortable engaging in harmful behavior, such as cyberbullying, due to the anonymity provided by social media platforms. There could be serious ethical ramifications if people do others physical or emotional harm while hiding behind a screen. Because cyberbullying is so common, it is imperative that users be adequately protected from abuse when they are online.
Consumption of Inappropriate or dangerous Content: Addiction to social media can also result in the consumption of inappropriate or dangerous content. Exposure to such content, which can range from hate speech to graphic visuals, can desensitise people and support destructive views. Furthermore, passively consuming unsuitable content might support a culture of moral desensitisation, which blurs moral lines and normalises dangerous behaviour.
Backbiting and Gossip: The spread of backbiting and gossip on social media is another moral issue linked to addiction to these platforms. Online communication’s immediacy and anonymity make it far too simple for users to engage in defamatory activity, rumours to circulate, and reputations to be ruined without consequence. This not only transgresses moral precepts of integrity and honesty, but it also feeds a poisonous internet culture of mistrust and hostility.
Fake News: The spread of false information on social media platforms undermines the veracity of sources and skews public conversation, posing a serious ethical dilemma. Through social networks, false or misleading information can spread quickly, swaying public opinion and forming political narratives.
Algorithmic Bias: Users’ online experiences are greatly influenced by social media algorithms, which choose the information they engage with and view. These algorithms are not impervious to bias, though, and prejudice can still exist and be reinforced by them. Algorithmic bias can worsen echo chambers—where users are only exposed to opinions that support their own—and result in a lack of variety in the content recommendations that are made. Transparency, accountability, and constant efforts to reduce biases in algorithm design and execution are necessary to address algorithmic bias.
Addressing Ethical Concerns: It is imperative that individuals and organisations take proactive measures to address the moral and ethical challenges associated with social media addiction. This involves preventing cyberbullying and harassment, encouraging responsible content consumption, tackling fake news, protecting privacy, and reducing algorithmic bias. Through the promotion of integrity, empathy, and critical thinking in virtual interactions, we might endeavour to establish a digital environment that is more morally and responsibly constructed.
DECREASED ATTENTION SPAN
Social media has completely changed the way we communicate, interact, and learn. But its ubiquitous presence in our lives has brought about unexpected outcomes, such as a reduction in attention span. Many of us are guilty of slipping into the mindless scrolling trap, when a quick diversion becomes hours spent buried in the digital maze. The capacity to focus on a particular task or stimuli for an extended amount of time is known as attention span, according to the American Psychological Association. However, social media sites’ frequent stimulation interferes with this ability, making it hard to concentrate on one thing for an extended amount of time. This behavior is influenced by the desire for instant satisfaction and the urge to react fast to online stimuli.
According to Dr. Gloria Mark, PhD, our brains become overloaded with information from social media sites, which eventually makes it harder for us to focus. Furthermore, social media interactions trigger the release of dopamine, which acts as a reward system and reinforces addictive behaviors. Like other addictive chemicals, this addiction targets the brain’s reward system, which results in a dopamine release. A reduced attention span can also be caused by other conditions including ADHD, depression, or brain injury in addition to social media addiction. Social media, on the other hand, makes these problems worse by offering an endless supply of notifications and distractions.
A shorter attention span has far-reaching consequences. People may find it difficult to express themselves clearly, make mistakes as a result of a diminished attention to detail, and perform worse in a variety of settings, such as social situations, the workplace, and educational institutions. Furthermore, neglecting oneself might result in bad health results and make it difficult to form good behaviours. Thankfully, there exist techniques to lessen the negative impact of social media addiction on one’s attention span. Individuals can discover underlying problems and create customised remedies with the aid of therapy. Furthermore, modifying one’s lifestyle to include regular exercise, drinking plenty of water, and engaging in mindfulness or meditation might help increase focus and attention span. In the end, even if social media has numerous advantages, it’s critical to understand how it affects attention span and adopt preventative measures to preserve cognitive health. By balancing digital engagement with mindfulness and self-care, individuals can navigate the digital landscape more effectively and reclaim control over their attention span.
THE IMPACT OF SOCIAL MEDIA ADDICTION ON PRODUCTIVITY
Social networking has a significant impact on professional productivity in today’s digitally linked environment, frequently resulting in lower focus and efficiency. People find it difficult to focus on their work due to the constant stream of messages, giving in to the temptation of social media and quick satisfaction. A startling 77% of employees acknowledge using social media at work, according to Pew Research Center statistics. Due to social media’s disruptive effect on focus, this widespread usage points to a direct association between social media participation and decreased job productivity.
Social networks are so ubiquitous that they have impacted every part of human existence, including the workplace. With billions of users globally, social media sites like Facebook have ingrained themselves into daily life, making it harder and harder to resist the temptation to check for updates and notifications. The capacity of social media to satisfy fundamental social needs in an immersive digital setting is the basis of its addictive qualities. Through self-referential processing and social cognition, users are dragged into a never-ending cycle of interaction, whether they are contemplating the reactions of their audience or looking for validation through likes and comments. Empathy and social awareness-related brain regions are activated in response to social media stimuli, just as they do in response to offline social encounters, according to a neurological research the brain struggles to disengage from the constant influx of digital stimuli, leading to fragmented attention and reduced productivity.
The cognitive strain of multitasking is mirrored in the frequent attention switching between job tasks and social media updates, which substantially reduces performance. Studies show that this context change doubles the time needed to do activities efficiently and increases error rates by 50%. Additionally, excessive use of social media lowers productivity by increasing stress levels, habituation, and procrastination. People frequently discover that they are caught in a never-ending loop of diversions, preventing them from reaching their full potential or meeting deadlines.
People can use a variety of tactics to counteract social media’s detrimental effects on their productivity levels. A self-evaluation of app usage and the removal of time-consuming activities can assist in giving work-related duties precedence over social interaction. Furthermore, you can reduce distractions and increase focus during work hours by turning off pointless notifications, adjusting quiet or night settings, and curating preferences. In the end, a more balanced approach to digital engagement and increased productivity can result from cutting back on social media use outside of work and putting in place focused strategies to reduce distractions. People can maximise their performance and succeed more at work by taking back control of their attention and focus.
THE RISE OF REELS: A DIGITAL DELUSION
Reels, or short videos, have been extremely popular on social media in recent years. Although these short films provide amusement and opportunity for fame-seeking, worries about their addictive qualities and negative impacts—particularly for young people—are growing. Reels are overindulged in, and this can have a variety of detrimental effects, such as deteriorating mental health or academic performance. Psychologists and psychiatrists caution against the elevated levels of stress, anxiety, and despair resulting from selected content and false comparisons. Furthermore, spending hours scrolling through reels of content is sedentary, which increases the risk of physical health issues like obesity and eye strain.
Youth’s conduct and lifestyle choices are greatly influenced by their peers. Many young people look up to these influencers as heroes and strive for overnight success, frequently ignoring the arduous work and effort that goes into making things happen. Influencers’ idealised depictions of life can warp reality and impose unattainable expectations, which exacerbates unhappiness and anxiety. Students’ academic performance has clearly declined, and this is partly because of their excessive reel use. The prioritisation of social media success over education by students has raised worries regarding the potential long-term effects on society’s productivity and intellectual growth.
Reels provide inspiration and amusement, but it’s important to be aware of the risks associated with using them and to promote appropriate use. Reel addiction can be lessened by restricting screen time, varying social media feeds, and encouraging the creation of real content. Furthermore, it is essential for the wellbeing of the youth and the country at large to create a positive, encouraging online community that prioritises learning and personal development.
RESPONSIBILITIES FAMILY DYNAMICS AND RELATIONSHIPS
The dynamics of relationships and family life have been profoundly altered by social media’s pervasive influence, bringing with it both opportunities and challenges. Although social media sites like Facebook and Instagram help families stay in touch and instantly share priceless moments, they also seriously jeopardize the stability of family relationships. The quality of in-person relationships has been negatively impacted by excessive screen time and digital distractions, which has resulted in a decrease in meaningful communication within homes. In addition, family members’ emotions of inadequacy and comparison have been exacerbated by the pressure to maintain a flawless online persona, straining relationships and encouraging a shallow society. The pervasiveness of social media has caused a blurring of the lines between the public and private domains, infringing upon important family obligations and time. The sanctity of familial obligations and responsibilities frequently takes a backseat as people choose virtual connections over in-person interactions, which causes a sense of separation and disconnection inside the household. Families need to navigate this social media maze carefully, balancing digital interaction with in-person relationships and encouraging open communication, trust, and empathy to fortify their ties.
NURTURING “AHSAAS-E-MURAOWAT ” AND TACKLING SOCIAL MEDIA ADDICTION AND PRIVACY CONCERNS
Developing “Ahsaas e Muraowat,” or the sensitivity to moderation, is crucial in today’s digital age to handle the growing problems of social media addiction and privacy violations.Due to the widespread use of social media, there has been an increase in addictive behaviors where users become engrossed in constant scrolling and interaction at the expense of their real-world obligations. This over indulgence highlights the critical need for balance and mindfulness in online interactions by undermining personal wellbeing and straining familial bonds. Furthermore, the monetization of user data through data mining techniques creates serious privacy issues since private data is now open to abuse and exploitation by other parties. People can cultivate “Ahsaas e Muraowat,” which promotes healthy boundaries and thoughtful usage, by being more conscious of their internet activities. Ensuring that users have the necessary knowledge and tools to navigate privacy settings properly is crucial in order to safeguard personal information from misuse or unauthorised access. In addition, cultivating a culture of responsible sharing and digital literacy can lessen the dangers of unintentional data exposure and make the internet a safer place for everyone. We can promote a harmonious balance between the virtual and physical worlds, protecting individual autonomy, well-being, and privacy in the digital age, by making Ahsaas e Muraowat a priority in our digital interactions.
CONCLUSION
In conclusion, a comprehensive study of social media’s impact on several facets of human well-being is necessary due to its pervasive influence on our lives. Careful navigation is required to navigate the various issues presented by social media addiction and privacy breaches, which range from mental and physical health to familial relationships and ethical implications. Developing “Ahsaas e Muraowat,” or the ability to be moderate, is crucial to successfully addressing these issues. People can lessen the detrimental impacts of social media addiction on their mental health and general well-being by practicing mindfulness and being conscious of their online actions. Furthermore, being aware of the moral ramifications of social media use emphasizes how crucial ethical behavior and good digital citizenship practices are. Strengthening family ties and fostering a sense of unity within homes can be achieved by striking a balance between digital and in-person interactions and by giving priority to genuine relationships over virtual ones. In the end, people can regain control over their digital lives and promote a happier and healthier connection with technology in the digital era by cultivating Ahsaas e Muraowat and taking proactive steps to address social media addiction and privacy issues.
References
https://gshospitals.in/how-does-social-media-affect-your-mental-health.php
https://relevantmagazine.com/faith/be-here-now-the-impact-of-social-media-on-our-spiritual-lives/
https://www.buffalo.edu/ubnow/stories/2022/01/social-media-physical-health.html
https://www.howandwhat.net/ethical-issues-social-media/
https://thedailyguardian.com/youth-with-reel-delusion-addiction-and-consequences/
https://efectio.com/en/the-impact-of-social-media-on-productivity/
https://www.psychologs.com/how-social-media-affects-our-attention-span/?amp=1
