Most of us cannot deny that we check our social pages at least a few more times than we should in a day.
Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram now have millions of users who just can’t get enough of these platforms.
From updating statuses, uploading pictures, or just messaging friends, these social platforms have a digital habitat of their own.
The number of users and time people spend on these platforms is consistently rising.
While technologies like the internet sure have their valuable benefits, any kind of addiction, be it related to social media, has its drawbacks as well.
Take a look at some of the advantages and disadvantages of social media addiction.
Advantages of Using Social Media
Staying Connected
People allot most of their days to work and maintaining their families while leading increasingly hectic lifestyles.
Social media tools provide a practical means of maintaining contact worldwide with friends and family members.
Social platforms offer exceptional opportunities for developing new relationships across all geographical regions.
Want to get in touch with an old school or university friend? They might have their profile on popular social platforms. Simply search for them and drop in a message.
You can connect, share, learn, and do much more with just a few taps on your mobile phone. This was practically impossible in the past.
Sense of Belonging
Social platforms have developed into essential daily elements that use social stimulus to shape our emotional reactions and modify our conduct.
Contacting and communicating with other users on social media networks through interactions builds a feeling of community that naturally elevates our self-esteem.
This provides a purpose, making it easier for us to connect and feel belonging to society, family, or friends.
So, if you just liked or commented on a friend’s post, you just made them happier by boosting their feeling of belongingness.
Drawbacks of Social Media
Reduced Productivity
If you spend a lot of time on social platforms, it could be negatively impacting your productivity.
It can affect not only your professional life but also your personal life.
Anything used more than it should will have some kind of disadvantage. Reduced productivity is the biggest drawback of social media addiction.
For instance, many people simply keep scrolling through their social media profiles late at night, sacrificing their sleep.
The lack of sleep will surely hamper your life in more ways than you can imagine, whether you are a working professional, student, or homemaker.
Comparison
It is almost impossible for people not to compare themselves with others on social platforms.
This comparison trap can also significantly impact your life, emotions, and mental well-being.
Some studies suggest that some people have felt sad after browsing their social profiles.
Comparing your lifestyle, car, vacation, and even looks and figures with others on these platforms can make you feel bad about yourself.
This behavior can reach an extent where it can also cause anxiety and depression. But you should remember that no one looks as good or happy as they appear on their social profiles.
The feeling of Loneliness and Isolation
Watching your friends or someone else on social media having the best times of their lives can also result in a feeling of loneliness and isolation.
Online platforms are now commonly treated as a sign of status performance and exaggeration of a few selective qualities.
For instance, you might have a friend who regularly uploads pictures in which he is super happy and always surrounded by friends and family.
On the other hand, you might be living a busy life away from your friends and family in another city.
You can feel lonely or isolated when you witness people around you so happy with their lives.
The Social Media Impact
There is no denying the fact that social networking platforms have helped us in many ways.
They’ve made communication easier by enabling us to contact people worldwide in seconds. However, nobody can deny the drawbacks when social media usage becomes an addiction.
While regular use of social media will likely not cause any harm, you should make changes in your life if you spend too much time on these platforms.
In the long run, this can affect your emotions and mental well-being.
