The Research

Background Information of Social Media Addiction

In the digital age, social media addiction has become a major concern, defined by compulsive and excessive use of sites like Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and Snapchat. With features like limitless scrolling, tailored information feeds, and real-time notifications, these platforms aim to increase user engagement. By taking use of psychological mechanisms like the Zeigarnik effect and the endowment effect, they may encourage a cycle of constant usage. According study findings, these addictive habits can have negative effects on social connections, academic performance, and mental health, especially in teenagers.

The Evidence of Social Media Addiction Rising Over the Years 

According to the Digital 2024 report, everyday people spend an average of over 6 hours on the internet. The internet can be used for social media and other media-communication driven content. 

This graph shows the percent of people displaying social media usage in 2021.

Implications

Addiction to social media has wide-ranging effects on people's relationships, mental health, academic and professional performance, and general well-being. Overuse of apps like Instagram, Snapchat, and TikTok has been connected to higher rates of anxiety, sadness, low self-esteem, and disturbed sleep. Because of procrastination and a shorter attention span, it can also lead to subpar academic results. Social isolation could result from consumers prioritizing virtual interactions over face-to-face connections. Broadly speaking, the normalization of perpetual connectivity might encourage negative behavioral patterns, making it harder for people to unplug and participate fully in activities that take place in the real world. In order to address and lessen the detrimental impacts of excessive social media use, these implications highlight the necessity of greater knowledge, digital literacy, and mental health support.