The average social media user spends about two hours a day on their accounts. Crazy right? Seems too low for some of you... But do they do it out of boredom or do they scroll because they're a full-on addict? Here’s what the experts have to say about social media addiction.
● It’s not the same as an addiction to substances.
According to professor Bev John and lecturer Martin Graff from the University of South Wales, research does not indicate that being hooked on social media is the same as alcohol and other drugs. For example, when you try to kick another addiction cold turkey, you experience withdrawal symptoms that are not pleasant. There has yet to be a case that someone became physically ill from staying off TikTok.
● Not a “real” addiction, but still harmful AF.
Even though the American Psychiatric Association doesn’t recognize social media as an addiction, it doesn’t mean that it’s totally safe. For example, one study found females who spend about an hour and a half online per day had an increased desire to be thin, feel more judged, and have a stronger motivation to exercise to lose weight. John and Graff also compare social media’s “like” feature to gambling. And not in a fun Jackpot kind of way. More like you’re hooked on validation like someone dumping money into a machine.
HT: Metro