I had no idea how much time and mental effort I was spending on sites like Instagram, TikTok, and Snapchat until I looked into the subject of social media addiction. Social media, which everyone uses to stay entertained or connected, has always seemed to me to be a natural part of daily life. However, when I conducted my research, I saw how easily these platforms might result in compulsive habits. I started thinking about my own behaviors, such as checking my phone many times each hour or getting depressed when a post didn't receive enough likes. When I discovered that these apps are meant to increase dopamine and promote incessant scrolling, I began to question how "normal" my usage had become.

This increased comprehension led to a change in the individual. I've begun establishing tiny boundaries, such as disabling alerts, reducing the frequency of app checks, and occasionally taking complete breaks from social media. Although it hasn't been simple, I've seen that I feel more present and less nervous in day-to-day situations. The realization that social media has a greater impact on our mental health and self-esteem than we may realize had the biggest impact on me. I've become more conscious of my own routines as well as how social media is influencing the attitudes and actions of those around me thanks to this reflection. It serves as a potent reminder that even if these platforms can be entertaining and helpful, we need continue to be mindful of and in charge of how we use them.