The Cause and Effects in Social Media
Social Networking Addiction
Cyber bullying
Peer pressure
Staged Marketing
Too Much Media
Too much media can be cause a problem. The more social media a person consumes exposes them to more problems such as addiction, cyber bullying, and exposure to inappropriate content, and psychological effects. Social media is fun, everyone is using snapchat, instagram, YouTube etc. but it starts to become a trend that can consume your daily habits. It’s hard to regulate yourself when using social media, one click turns into another and another and all of the sudden two hours pass by. These habits can quickly result in social networking addiction. Social networking sites such as Facebook, Snapchat, Twitter, and dozens of others allow people to stay in touch like never before. However, some people spend so much time on these sites that it begins to interfere with their lives. Psychologists are referring to this as a social networking addiction.SEVEN SIGNS OF A SOCIAL MEDIA ADDICTION OR COMPULSION
Some people are able to handle the social media revolution that is sweeping the planet earth. However, more and more people are not able to handle it. Here are some signs to look for that indicate a problem with social media:1. Spending more than one hour daily at social media sites. Some would say one should not spend more than half an hour daily.
2. Checking social media sites whenever possible. Some people leave the program open and switch back and forth to it while working, for example. Others use a phone App to check it while eating lunch with friends, for example. This is extremely rude, but one observes it a lot.
3. Over-sharing. In an age when many people are very concerned about their privacy, some people are sharing very private information or photos with their Facebook friends or on other sites. A possible reason for this is to gain approval or acknowledgment from peers. This is sometimes called the need for social affirmation.
4. Interference with work, school performance or your offline social life. Some studies report that too much time on the social media can cause lower school grades. It can also reduce work performance and even lead to job loss.
5. Withdrawal symptoms if you try to cut down on the time you spend on social media.
6. Escapism. If you are using your time on the social media to avoid conflicts or problems that are occurring in your real life. You can know this because when you are “down”, you turn to Facebook or another social media site to feel better.
7. Losing sleep to go on social media sites. It is bad enough if your social networking interferes with your daily work and studies. However, it is really out of hand if you stay up late at night to check Facebook, for example, or must wake up early to check it in the morning. Staying up late is one characteristic of those who overuse social networking sites, according to some studies.
Are you addicted to social media?
Take this quiz to see if you need to sharpen up on your social media habits.
1.What’s the first thing you do when you wake up?
A.Reach for your phone next to your bed to check Facebook and Twitter
B.Take a shower
C. Hit snooze and sleep
2. How often do you take a picture of your meal and share it on social media?
A. All the time, especially when you go out to eat.
B. Never – it’s so annoying when people do that
C. Only whenever you eat something that looks particularly amazing
3. When a classmate asks how your weekend was, what’s your reaction?
A.You decide to unfollow them on Instagram, because what’s the point if they’re not checking your social updates.
B. Reply that it was nice but don’t go into any detail.
C. You pull out your phone and show them your Instagram pics.
4. How often do you ‘check-in’ on social media?
A. Several times a day.
B. Never.
C. Only on a Friday or Saturday night when you’re heading to the movies with friends.
5. Has your best friend ever complained that you spend more time on your phone than you do talking to them?
A. Yes, you recently had a fight about that.
B. No, they’re worst than you .
C. Once or twice, but you usually just laugh it off
6. When you hear something funny do you…?
A. Immediately post it on social media site.
B. Laugh.
C. Try to memorise it to post online later.
7. How often do you take selfies?
A. All the time- it’s a good way of checking how you look
B. Umm what’s a selfie?
C. Occasionally you might take one but not everyday
8. Do you know how many friends/followers you have on social media?
A. Yes, of course
B. No, you have no idea actually
C. You could probably give a good estimate
Mostly A’s
You are addicted to social media
Leading hypnotherapist and counsellor Diana Parkinson says: “If you’re constantly checking your phone, tablet or laptop, you’re moving into compulsive or addictive behaviour. If you feel anxious when you're not connected to social media then you have a problem.”
Diana recommends: “Make time to actually speak on the phone, arrange to meet up with those you care about, share a meal, chat face to face and have a real cuddle you can feel.”
“Make a golden rule that when out with friends or family there will be no phones at the table. Switch off or put on silent and out of sight. Really take time to notice how much better your life is as you spend more of it in the real world and less in the virtual world.”
Mostly B’s
You are social media-phobic
Social media isn’t a big deal to you
Leading hypnotherapist and counsellor Diana Parkinson says: “Social media is now an accepted way for people to communicate and interact and we use it because it gives us instant connection with whatever is happening in the moment.”
“Social media can give us a real sense of belonging, that we matter because – ‘Look I have lots of friends/followers’. It shows we are an important part of our own little network and it can boost feelings of confidence and self esteem. It’s a place where we can voice our hopes and dreams, ask for help and advice, and where we can feel ‘heard’.”
Mostly C’s
You have a healthy balanced attitude towards social media
Although at the moment you’re a moderate user of social media, keep tabs on how often you visit these sites and make sure it doesn’t develop into an unhealthy obsession.
Leading hypnotherapist and counsellor Diana Parkinson says: “Social media can make some people feel inadequate, as they compare their ordinary life with someone's ‘look at me having a great time’ postings."
"So if spending time on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram makes you feel upset or bad about yourself - stop – because you could spiral into depression.”