In our current society, the use of social media has skyrocketed to become one of our main forms of communication and self-expression. According to We Are Social, more than three billion people worldwide use social media every month. GlobalWebIndex has compiled data that shows the average amount of time a user spends on the internet is six hours per day, which is about a third of our waking life.
So what are the implications of using a social platform for an extended amount of time? Recently studies have shown the negative affects of prolonged use of social media. One of these results is loneliness: the feeling of being isolated without friends or family. It's ironic that a platforum used to connect people can actually end up making them feel more distant. Over 40% of American adults have reported feelings of loneliness; the real number may increase with a higher usage and spreading of social platforms(AARP). A study was conducted on adults aged 45 and above who were surveyed to see the correlation between feelings of loneliness and their overall health:
Feelings of loneliness result in the same physical consequences as smoking fifteen cigarettes a day (PLOS). As illustrated above, feeling isolated can be a catalyst for other health problems such as depression, anxiety, dementia, suicidal thoughts, and more. Currently 16.1 million adults in the United States suffer from documented depression.
The growing risks of high technology usage are especially true for Generation Z who have grown up during the peak of new technology. A study conducted on young adults revealed that people who had a high usage of devices and social media were at risk for depression and anxiety three times more when compared to people who are infrequent users. As seen on the chart below, social media is growing and will continue to with the rise of advancements in technology.
Nomophobia
"Nomophobia" is a recent term to describe the fear of not being able to access a cellphone or smart device. This term has become commonplace due to a rise in cellphone addiction. Cellphone and smart device addiction has negative affects on individual's relationships, family life, and social life. According to Common Sense Media, 50% of teenagers have reported an addiction to smartphones. Addiction to smart devices directly leads to an increase in social media, therefore leading to a higher increase in depression and other health problems.
Corporate Responsibility
With all of this information presented, it feels like we should limit time on our phones. Consumers and companies are becoming more conscious about the user and negative effects that prolonged use of smart devices and social media have on the human psyche. Recently two of the biggest investors in Apple are urging the company to be held accountable for growing iPhone addictions in children. The investors believe,
"Apple can play a defining role in signaling to the industry that paying special attention to the health and development of the next generation is both good business and the right thing to do".Companies can take control of the situation by offering tools such as parental controls, restrictions to applications, and disabling location sharing. Sean Parker, the former Facebook president has joined in on the discussion by regarding social media as an "exploitation of human vulnerability".
Here is a video that scientifically explains the addiction to smart devices and social media, and offers tips on how to combat it:
Food for thought:
1. Should companies be held responsible for smart device addictions?
2. Should companies such as Instagram and Facebook aim to create content that aims to be less addictive?
3. Since it is considered a real addiction, should the user be responsible for limiting social media?
4. What is social media going to be like in the next few years?
Sources:
https://www.cnn.com/2017/11/30/health/smartphone-addiction-study/index.html
https://wearesocial.com/uk/blog/2018/01/global-digital-report-2018
https://assets.aarp.org/rgcenter/general/loneliness_2010.pdf)
Wow this is a really interesting post, thanks Rachel. In terms of liability of social media addiction, I dont think I could really put any blame on the companies. I think this must come down to personal responsibility and understanding when enough is enough. And unfortunately for some, that limit is never found. However, I think some of these corporations could produce material that is less click bait per say and more informative. Just scrolling my feed on Facebook gives me multiple click bait like articles that can really get a user hooked, and I dont think its because its good marketing, I think its because they're taking advantage of human psychology.
ReplyDeleteVery interesting Rachel! I think our generation specifically had social media come into our lives as children, and it really shaped how we grow up and connect with others. To answer your questions, I personally believe that users themselves should control our usage, I don't think that companies should try to make it less addictive. Like any product, it's our own choice to use in moderation, or not.
ReplyDeleteRachel, this topic is something I've been thinking about lately, especially with Facebook's high presence in the news. I recently read an article about a former Facebook VP, who admitted that social media platforms, especially Facebook, are destroying society with ‘dopamine-driven feedback loops’.
ReplyDeleteWithin the social media realm, Facebook is arguably a top catalyst for mental health destruction. Facebook is all about sharing to the world what YOU do. To be honest, even I have felt that sadness just by entering Facebook - the business model itself makes it nearly impossible to not compare yourself when everyone is encouraged to share the best moments in their life. The corporate responsibility that Facebook holds over this issue is a bit underrated and can lead to serious repercussions if not addressed more seriously.
After leaving Facebook, the ex-Facebook VP Palihapitiya, founded Social Capital, a venture capital firm that invests in education and health-care businesses. People like Palihapitiya are doing great things to create awareness about the issue and make positive changes.
Here is the article: https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-switch/wp/2017/12/12/former-facebook-vp-says-social-media-is-destroying-society-with-dopamine-driven-feedback-loops/?noredirect=on&utm_term=.a9fc60013099
Natalia, thank you for sharing that article. I think that with the growing use of social media and social platforms, it is important to be self-aware of its harmful affects. Day to day I see people comparing themselves to others because of how Facebook and Instagram are designed. I know that Instagram stopped publishing posts chronologically. Instead it shows user's posts depending on how many likes are accumulated in a certain time span--basically how popular they are. This creates a loop of feeding one's ego while simultaneously making others feel insignificant.
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed reading your post, very well written. Its interesting and shocking to see all of those data that proves the side affects of social media. It is hard to say that companies should be help responsible for the addictions related to smart phones. I think that smart phones became a necessary part of our daily social and professional life. Even with the bad influence of it, I think that it is hard nowadays to simply held people accountable for the use of it. Unfortunately, social media is very controversial modern issue that I feel that its hard for companies to be held responsible for smart phones addictions. Of course, users should be responsible for limiting social media since it is considered a real addiction.
ReplyDeleteI don't think companies should be held responsible for additive tendencies regarding technology devices. Similar to drug companies, there have certain precautions put in place, like having to have a prescription, that removes their responsibility when it comes to addiction. Similarly, technology companies place restrictions such as parental controls to try to mitigate these risks.
ReplyDeleteWhen looking at these topics, it is important to remember these companies, such as Facebook & Instagram, still have a business plan. They make profit based on advertisements, so it is up to the users to control themselves, honestly.
The users should 100% be responsible for their addiciton. Just like drug addictions, the user must take responsibility to change. Although it does have to do with their social environment, they must be smarter than the system.
Social media in a few years is going to be incredibly invasive. This topic reminds me of Parks & Rec when Tom works for a company called Grizzle. They data mine texts, calls, messages, pretty much anything to cater to items they know their users will love. I think a similar thing will happen with social media, which is already evident with targeted ads and content that appears based on other items you "like".
Addiction is definitely the responsibility of companies that create it. Drug companies created the opioid epidemic and Apple knows exactly how to create dependence on their devices. Is it fair to ask people to "just stop"? Could you, or anyone, give up your phone, or Facebook, or drug addiction?
ReplyDeleteHolding users accountable is not what the makers of these products want.