Social media addiction

Whether you use one app or a million, the concept is the same and we're all guilty. When someone posts a long post we go, "nah! too busy!" And on it goes. People seek connection. And we're isolated by The Machine so we do it online.

That video was a bit...intense for me, sorta too depressing. The best question, Denzel just blew past! The question was: "what do you do then?" To which most would say, "go outside and meet people!" But, and this may be a bit of a "cope"...people have largely been conditioned by the internet even when they're outside. Even when they're interacting (on the rare, rare chance that ever happens nowadays) with *gasp* strangers. It's a mixed bag. Clearly. I mean...we're all here.
The Shallows" by Nicholas Carr (and to a lesser extent his article "Is Google Making Us Stupid?") goes deeeep in depth about ...yknow...how the internet makes us stupid. Makes us shallow and flippant and grows "information searching" and visual parts of the brain but death from lack of use happens to the parts that reflect. That aren't stimulated (sometimes from the small adrenaline from arguing or "griefing" people online).

I could go on...and on...about how I even use dating apps and stuff...*just to have a connection to others*...not even looking for a date necessarily. lol. How sad is that? Even sadder? The GD dating apps are even worse! lololoo. It's all bullshit and scammers and guys pretending to be females (for that brief connection! then they run when I'm like, "I know you're a guy, like me, but I don't even gaf at this point. let's be real with each other and connect.<3" And, either I'm just a freaky guy or, what I prefer to think, the internet has fucked people's brains and we're now so used to shallow, quick engagements that we've forgotten how to connect. To "be real". etc. Also, to be fair, I dunno...people get nervous and think you're going to expect something from them or want too much. I guess I do want too much. I want people to realize we're gonna die one day and it'll be terrifying and we'll wish we'd connected to other people more! lol.

Whew. I could *blast* out another few paragraphs but that's the basic gist of it. I get called "schizo" all day long for ...this. It's a very lonely place to be. And I don't expect anything from people anymore. :I

But, I'm still here trying. <3

Hope this connected to some of you and just know you're absolutely "not alone" in feeling this way. "Modern life is rubbish." As the song says...<3

 

Just to complete the oversharing process...and feed some good feels to the mods here, maybe...the very best conversation I've ever had online, ever...in 20 years of being online 24/7...was this long, back and forth "writing letters" almost type thing I had here though Dms with an Aussie talking about our cultures and whatnot. Ok, that's it. "Sorry/Not Sorry" for going on and on. (to self: quit talking you big dummy!) lol

 

I remember when everyone was on Facebook and posted everything on it. It was a bit of a novelty back then. Eventually random thoughts and family vacation pics were replaced by political bullshit. Fortunately a lot of that has gone to Parler and it can stay there. Now it's the kids, favorite music videos and food porn.
I get on to keep up with friends and acquaintances and occasionally post some pic or thought. But some folks sure seem to post a lot!

 

There is no addiction to social media. Some people use it in ways that run contrary to their stated goals and values, such as having good relationshiips and getting enough sleep (the definition of having a problem), but that doesn't make it an addiction.

The only recognized addiction that doesn't involve a substance ingested, injected, or inhaled is gambling. Sex? Not an addiction. Porn? Sorry, no. Not social media either. That doesn't mean that they don't factor into some people's compulsive disorders; they just aren't addictions. Even cigarette smoking isn't addictive - it's habituative, not addictive. I smoked for 17 years, and it took me 10 difficult years to quit, and I accept that it wasn't an addiction.

Could social media be deemed an addiction? Sure, but someone would have to do the empirical research and present credible findings, and so far no one has been willing or able to do so. Even gambling remains a controversial addition to the list of addictions, because not all of the necessary factors are proven present, and it may end up being removed in the future.

As far as the assertion made by some in this thread that we're all guilty of spending too much time online, for me, no. The internet didn't come into common usage until I was 35 years old. Until I was 43, I never used the internet except for work, and didn't have an internet connection at home until then - I took the plunge then only because, by then, it was essential for a job search I needed to do. My life isn't all that different now from how it was before the internet came into common usage. I've never been a gadget guy - electronic devices bring me no joy. I've never owned a smartphone, and have used only ones assigned to me by my employers for work. I don't use Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, or anything like them; never used them. I don't even use text messaging, except occasionally receiving one with a login code for a bankig website or something involving security and authentication.

When I run, aside from wearing clothes, I carry only a house key and wear an analog wristwatch. I don't need a screen for GPS, nor to know my number of steps, nor even music. They're distractions. A 60-minute swim isn't encumbered by electronic distractions, and I prefer most of life, including my 60-minute run to be the same.

Isn't HF social media? Well, it's interactive, but it's also anonymous, so it isn't social, per se. If you think CherryBombVixen is your friend, she isn't, and "she" likely isn't even a she. I spend a bit of time here, but I never use it to avoid doing anything that furthers my life goals, such as sleeping, preparing meals, exercising, pursing life-long learning, or otherwise getting together with other people in person. I'm not attached or invested. It's a modest diversion, not an essential part of my day. I plead: "not guilty," Your Honor.

 

A Webmaster’s Tips for Staying Sane Online | Plum Village

 

Social media addiction is an addiction to cheap thrills and instant gratification, in a culture of compulsive liars. The simple solution is to spend a few hours every month using your own two hands in service to your fellow man. I'd also recommend blowing up your fucking TV as a public health service.

 

Our glorious leader of the free world is credited with well over 4,000 blatant lies during his time in office alone. Social media addiction is an addiction to compulsive lying. Engineers discovered most people don't go to any lengths to hide their lies, making it easy enough for even a machine to tell whether they are actually lying about the moon being made of cheese. Facebook is a great example of the kind of see-no-evil, hear-no-evil, speak-no-evil that every major website promotes in one form or another. In fact, websites are normally designed to attract trolls and make it easier for moderators to keep the flames down, and you could say websites are designed to troll for customers and spread fake news and misinformation, but that's what their public demands, with over half of Americans insisting the government and corporations they call evil lie to them for their own protection.

The American people are not trustworthy, in their own opinion, and must be protected from themselves.

 

I've recently heard the idea that people who spend more than 4 hours a day on the Internet definitely have/or soon will have a depression. I personally don't have any addiction and I'm trying to avoid social media most of the time. I do have Instagram and FB, but I use them for messaging. I rarely use them to search some info. I think social media are a huge waste of time.

 

I try not to be a phone addict, especially if I'm going out with fam and friends.

 

at some point i decided that facebook was a pile of pig turds and rusty nails. being at that i also ditched twitter - not that i ever used it much anyway, just signed up. not owning a tv set is another good thing for my peace of mind. at some point i think i will pull myself out of the internet as well lol.

 

surprised (in a good way) to see so many on this thread who don't want to be constantly glued to their phones. So much to do out there in the real world, and it all doesn't need to be converted into a fb post. Think I like HIP cause its one of the few social platforms that's not entirely about "yourself". Topics drive discussion and interest...not just broadcast pics of how 'great your life is right now'... good peeps on here

 

Never bought into the hole current "social" media(fb/tw/insta/ectect)........been there done that,old interwebz(mirc/msn/icq/ect)

Sometimes i think current "social" media(and mainstream media picking it up) and the effect it seems to have,are going to be the downfall of humanity......*sigh*

My current "social" media are games/forums..........rest is outside,lol.

Mzzls

 

I rather watch wildlife and enjoy the scenery then bury my face in my phone 24/7. There's more to life then being on the internet 24/7.

 

Social media can be both harmful and beneficial. It all depends on your usage

 

Some live for likes from other people, why, I don’t know, are they running away from themselves, an impossible task.

 

The problem with current social media is...............mainstream media/people making a big deal out of it, giving it too much attention. Making every non issue a issue and making it a celeberty/moneymaking buisness........imo.



But you are right,it can do good, if you know how to use it.It is a good/usefull thing(knowledge/social/ect).............

Mzzls

 

Studies have shown that social media has a powerful effect on the brain, and it can create stimulating effects similar to addiction. “Social media platforms (couple dp mean) drive surges of dopamine to the brain to keep consumers coming back over and over again.

 

I have been using social media for sometime and at first I was completely unaware of the effect it was having on me. I like so many i think i have used social media as a way of connecting to the outside world, having had issues with social anxiety and depression. It was long before my use of social media become my life. It wasn’t until I began to reflect and seek help that i realised just how much my use was effecting me in a bad way. It became an addiction that had negative effects on my mental health. Now I continue to use social media for my blogging and to stay in touch with friends i have made online but i am in control of how i use it and when instead of it controlling me. I truly believe that many people are just deeply lonely and seeking comfort in what is often a very tough world. This is just my opinion and i never assume that my experiences are the same as others. Sorry this was a long post.