Social Media Addiction || How To Overcome Social Media Addiction

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What is social media?

addicted to social media — tips to overcome social media addiction

Social media is a computer-based technology. It facilitates the sharing of ideas, thoughts, and information. This is done through the building of virtual networks and communities. By design, social media is Internet-based and gives users quick electronic communication of content. (Source: Wikipedia)

How many users of social media?

Data speaks:

Social Media	Users in world	Users in India
YouTube	2.291 billion	225 million
WhatsApp	1.6 billion	390.1 million
Instagram	1.386 billion	180 million
Facebook/Messenger	1.3 billion	340 million

What is social media addiction?

Over the past decade, scrolling through social media has become a widespread habit. While most people use social media without issues, a small percentage develop an addiction, engaging in excessive and compulsive usage.

Social media addiction is a behavioral disorder. It involves an overwhelming preoccupation with social platforms. There is also an uncontrollable urge to log in and excessive time spent online. This addiction can interfere with essential aspects of life, including work, relationships, and mental well-being.

Are you addicted to social media? — Tips to know your addiction level

How to know that you are addicted to social media?

12 self evaluation questions will help you find this…

1. What first thing you do after getting up in the morning?

If you check your messages in social media it means you are addicted to social media.

2. Do you feel strong desire to open social media Apps during live classes or work?

If yes then you are addicted.

3. How do you feel without internet (data)? Suppose you are not able to check your messages then how would you feel?

You feel like – “I am not feeling well without social media.” If you feel uneasy and restlessness then it means you are addicted.

4. Do you hear buzz of incoming messages or notifications when really it didn’t?

You hear your phone buzz. You check with curiosity, thinking someone sent you a message. Yet, you find that there are no messages. It means you are addicted.

5. Do you spend lot of time thinking about social media or planning to use social media?

If yes then you are addicted.

6. Do you use social media to forget about your hurts or personal problems?

It shows that you are trying to heal yourself by ventilating through sharing posts in social media. It means you are addicted.

7. Do you try to reduce the use of social media but you could not do this?

This action tells that you already realized that you are addicted or being addicted and trying to overcome but failed.

8. Do you neglect your own hobbies in favor of scrolling social media?

If you do so then it means you are addicted.

9. Do you often check performance of you post even when you are among friends and talking with them? Every five minutes, you check who liked and commented on your post?

This behavior shows that you are addicted to social media.

10. How do you feel when nobody liked or commented on your post? Do you feel nobody love or care about you?

If you feel left out then it means you are being addictive to social media.

11. Do you use social media so much that it has had a negative impact on your job or studies?

If you are spending lot of time in social media then it results low performance in your job or studies. If it is happening with you then you should understand that you are addicted to social media.

12. Do you check social media when you do your quiet time with God?

If you check social media messages or likes etc. during your quiet time also it means you are addicted to social media. And it is alarming- beep! beep! Careful!

Impact of social media addiction

This continuous use eventually leads to multiple interpersonal problems. People may ignore real-life relationships, work or school tasks, and household duties. These issues can then worsen an individual’s unwanted moods.
This then encourages people to use social networking. They do this even more as a method to relieve dysphoric mood states. Social network users relieve undesirable moods with social media use repeatedly. This cycle increases the level of psychological craving on social media.
Low self-esteem, which may be prompted by incorrect perceptions that others’ lives are “better” than yours
Increased isolation and loneliness
Anxiety or depression
Onset of social anxiety disorder
A fear of missing out (FOMO), which can lead to even more social media usage
Disrupted sleep patterns, especially if you use social media right before bedtime
Decreased physical activity, which may affect your overall health
Poor grades or work performance

How to overcome social media addiction?

You may realize that you are addicted to social media. If you are willing to overcome this addiction, here is good news for you. The Bible tells us, “Know the truth and truth will set you free” (Jn 8:32). We believe that Jesus is our savior and Lord. We need to ask forgiveness of our sins. We need to confess before God that we are addicted to social media. Now seek the divine help from God. God will help you to come out of addiction. Paul says – “Everything is permissible for me” but not everything is beneficial, “Everything is permissible for me” but I will not be mastered by anything. (1 Cor 7:12) You are the temple of God therefore you should be controlled by Holy Spirit.

tips to overcome social media addiction — Tips to overcome social media addiction

13 Tips will you help you to overcome social media addiction

Change in thinking- Social media is gift of God to propagate His message.
Consider social media as means of communication.
Know importance of real relationship with people.
Help others: Make real friends
Weekly social media fasting
Keeping mobile away in night after certain time
Tell your mentor: Ask help and be accountable.
Instead of sharing your feelings in social media: Call 3 friends and talk
Thank God after getting up instead checking messages
Go washroom without mobile
Join a weekly Bible study group and involve actively.
Use tools like- Digital well-being
Memorize Bible verses and use verses as sword

How to help those who are willing to overcome social media addiction but don’t know how to do this?

How do you feel when you see social media addicted person? Do you feel pity or compassionate for them? Jesus felt compassionate when he saw lost people. We should have heart of Jesus to help those who are addicted to social media. I hope these ideas will help you take initiative.