Nowadays social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram and Twitter have become an essential part of our lives. Especially for students and teenagers, social media is huge because it offers them ease in terms of communication and sharing thoughts with each other. These platforms have become so important for us that now eliminating them from our lives has become almost impossible. On the other side, too much use of social media can lead to depression and anxiety. So how much time should we spend on social media?
According to a recent report by Digital Information World, an average person spends almost 2 hours and 22 minutes on social media every day. This time is increasing on an enormous pace because people are mostly confined to their homes these days. Moreover the world has changed now because now people use the internet to communicate with each other, to make financial transactions and to do shopping as well.
The fundamental idea of social media is good because it is to connect people, business companies and information. We can use it to stay in contact with our friends and relatives living hundreds of miles away. The benefits of social media are huge but the problem arises when we unknowingly spend too much time on it.
Social Media for Teenagers
According to a recent study, depression among teenagers and adults is becoming a norm and this is mostly due to the overuse of social media. Depression in teenagers can negatively affect their performance at studies, behavior and social life. Depressed teens often suffer from low self esteem and self control.
Impact of Social Media on Adults
Over use of social media can affect decision making, productivity, relationships and self belief among the adults. People post their videos and pictures on social media daily to make their life look better than the rest. This can put a negative impact on the lives of many adults and teenagers because this often makes them feel lesser privileged.
Comparison with others
A recent study shows that people try to unrealistically compare themselves with others when they spend too much time on social media. At some point it is healthy because this type of comparison keeps us well motivated and inspired to do better in our lives. But this can also make us feel lesser privileged and can lead to depression, low self esteem and anxiety. By looking at the pictures posted by our peers, we start to think about the things we have never thought before.
We get amazed by the people we do not know in real life. We try to impress the people who are not important to us and the people we have never met in real. This kind of social media impact on adults and teenagers is common and it can never be considered as a positive influence. Always remember people always post a filtered image of their life on social media platforms. So do not think that their life is better than yours by looking just at the pictures and videos they post.
Monitor the time you use on social media
Using the platforms such as Instagram, Snapchat or Facebook for 3 or more than 2 hours a day is unhealthy. If you feel sheer need of responding to all the notifications appearing on your mobile phones then it is a vivid indicator that you are getting addicted to social media. It is also important to evaluate why you are using social media. The core concept behind the introduction of social media platforms was to offer a place to businesses and people to stay connected with each other.
If you are using these websites to communicate with the people you know and to read news then this can be assumed as a healthy use of social media. But if you are using these websites solely from entertainment purposes, to watch videos and you are comparing yourself with your peers in every way possible then this is unhealthy.
Final Thought!
Using the social media for 30 minutes or less per day is healthy. It is completely up to you to understand how much time on social media is healthy for you. By practically working on strategy to reduce your social media time can help you in the best way. Always remember that social media can be addictive and only self awareness and effort can save you from addiction.
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