Social Media Addiction: Greed for Social Currency
For over a decade, our desires turned into our needs savagely. We are demanding more, and we are craving for more. And in the end, we were always left hungry, unsatisfied and unhappy! No matter what, we always want more to see, more to feel, more to suck!
We want each information into bits and pieces on and on until we realize we are in mode of addiction.
That is exactly what is happening around us in the new age of social media. The ‘war of attention’ changes our priorities. We become addicted to social media networks. Day and night, we have this anxious feeling about our ‘social life’ on social media. We care what people think of us. We want to be best in everything like our friends. And this comparison war hit our weak souls and fragile minds, to hunt never-ending greed for social currency i.e. Likes, shares, comments..
Many psychologists spread awareness about this silent killer that is affecting psychological and social development in teens badly. Our coming generation now seems disconnected to the physical world. Because they are so consumed with their social friends that they forget the real essence and power of face-to-face interactions. They are more social on social media than in real-life. They find it easy to interact with them through phones rather than having a quality-time together on the couch.
Apart from being antisocial, many studies have shown that the more we spend our time on these online social platforms, the more we find ourselves in a depressed state. We lock ourselves in isolation and we feel more of us as a worthless person. And why is that?
Social media, like Facebook and Instagram use dark patterns that make their content engaging and interesting for the users. And they want them to keep them on their page for as long as they can. Which is perfectly fine. Any business would like to do that, to flourish and keep their audience attention for a longer span. But, the non-stop news feed scrolling and auto-play videos that trap us to stick there, had to be stopped.
We don’t notice that we are seeing false-reality. Either we are following our friends, family, celebrities or any influencer. We don’t realize that we only see the ‘good part’ of their life. What about the other side? What about behind-the-scenes? Do they always look happier and successful?
We only see the ‘good part’ of their life. What about the other side? What about behind-the-scenes? Do they always look happier and successful?
So, like you and everyone else, I’m also with you in this phase. Though I deleted my social apps from my cell phone a year ago, I still manage to sneak peek through my laptop when I get bored. Though I used it very often in a month or so to check out what’s going on in the world…or stalking others, like what’s up with those girl squads I hated in my college days..
We all know it’s very hard to quit it completely. Because how would you remain in touch and know what’s trending? And we can’t say the use of these sites are merely for entertainment now. And that is somehow true.
Many small and medium businesses use these sites to grow their business and earn their profits. But the point is, should we use them in a moderate amount or not.. We have heard this many times, everything that is in excess is a poison. And this poison is killing many age groups mentally.
Sadly, we are all the victims of social media channels. It is scary for those who might buy into it.We need to ask ourselves what I’m turning into? Are they stealing my time? Are these really worth using? Why do I feel more unattractive or lonely or unworthy or sucks when I use Instagram or Facebook or Twitter or LinkedIn and so on… and if you have ever thought about this, You must ask this very next question to yourself. Who is the guilty party behind this?
