Do you find you are spending more and more time on your phone, scrolling through your social media feeds? 

Do you find yourself becoming anxious if you cannot check your phone, or if you are anxious, do you find yourself picking up your phone to scroll through your social media feeds?

If you post on social media, how many photos do you take before you find a photo you are reasonably happy with, and how long do you spend cropping and adjusting that photo before you finally post it to your social media feed?

How anxious do you become if you don’t receive any likes or comments for the photos you post?

Is your main form of ‘togetherness’ with your partner scrolling through your different social media feeds rather than relating to each other?

Many people have a problematic relationship with their phones and social media feeds. It is a relationship that can easily take priority over other important tasks and responsibilities in their lives, and many people lose track of time when they are on their phones

WHAT NEUROSCIENCE TELLS US ABOUT HOW SOCIAL MEDIA IMPACTS OUR BRAINS AND BEHAVIOURS

It is easy to form negative judgements about ourselves or others if we believe we spend too much time on social media. These negative judgements often imply that we are weak, lack self-control, or are deficient in some other way that predisposes us to be addicted to social media.

However, neuroscience research provides important insights into how social media impacts our brains and behaviours. These include:

Dopamine and the reward system

Social media engagement triggers the release of dopamine, a neurotransmitter associated with pleasure and reward. Likes, comments, and notifications create a feedback loop that activates the brain's reward system. This can lead to addictive behaviours and a desire for constant social media interaction.

Fear of missing out (FOMO)

Social media platforms can induce feelings of FOMO on exciting experiences or social events happening elsewhere. Studies have shown that FOMO activates brain regions associated with negative emotions, leading to stress and anxiety.

Comparison and self-esteem

Social media promotes social comparison, where users compare their lives and achievements with others. This constant exposure to curated, idealised versions of others' lives can negatively impact self-esteem, leading to feelings of inadequacy, envy, and depression. Brain imaging studies have shown increased activity in brain regions associated with social pain and negative emotions when individuals make social comparisons.

Hence neuroscience indicates there are clear changes to centres within the brain.

• Scrolling through social media causes chemical changes within our brains’ pleasure and pain areas, predisposing us to seek more pleasure and avoid pain by continually engaging with social media. How this attempt to reduce pain and discomfort and seek more pleasure is played out in an individual’s experience depending on their personal characteristics, social context, and other factors in their everyday life. 

• The design features and algorithms employed by social media platforms maximise user engagement in ways that can contribute to addictive behaviours. 

• Personal factors such as low self-esteem, loneliness, or underlying mental health issues can also predispose a person to use social media in unhelpful or addictive ways.

   

HOW USING SOCIAL MEDIA IN ADDICTIVE WAYS CAN NEGATIVELY IMPACT OUR LIVES

When we write about using social media in addictive ways, we refer to using social media platforms in excessive and compulsive ways, which have negative consequences in various areas of a person's life. 

Some of these negative impacts include.

Social interactions and empathy

While social media allows us to connect with others, it provides a different level of meaningful social interaction than face-to-face communication. Research shows online interactions lack the non-verbal cues, emotional nuances, and empathy associated with in-person communication. The consequence is that excessive social media use may diminish our ability to understand and respond to others' emotions effectively. This subtle impact can have significant repercussions, particularly in intimate and familiar relationships, if we cannot effectively respond to our partner’s or children’s emotions.

Neglected Relationships

Individuals may prioritise social media interactions over real-life connections, leading to decreased face-to-face social interactions. This results in reduced quality time with family and friends and increased feelings of isolation. When combined with the lack of empathy, as mentioned above, there is an increased chance that a person will feel isolated and lonely, which can be precursors for depression or lower mental well-being.

Sleep Disturbances

The use of social media before bedtime negatively impacts sleep quality. The blue light emitted by electronic devices suppresses melatonin production, a hormone that regulates sleep-wake cycles. Additionally, engaging with stimulating content on social media can increase arousal levels, making it harder to fall asleep and achieve restful sleep. Lack of sleep and fatigue have both physical and mental health impacts.