The smartphone trend set in for real during the last decade. Social media usage which was limited to celebrities and companies who used it for publicity and communication purposes has now become so widespread among common people that nearly every person you know has a social media account.
Latest smartphones come with the social media apps already installed, so it is easy for the customer who buys the gadget, to start using it with immediate effect. Once you start using the social media, it becomes a trap which does not let you go away from it. The more you use it, the more addicted you become.
5 sure signs you are addicted to social life online
You check your gadget first thing in the morning after you get up. You also check the social apps for new and controversial messages that you would like to share to your groups' and if nothing interesting shows up, you create your own status and then check to see who viewed it.
You check your notifications every now and then for reactions to your status updates. if you do not see any notifications, you become visibly upset and start to post more updates regarding your opinion about politics, entertainment and so on. You also tag other people and invite their response. Only, when they reply, you feel satisfied.
Click bait videos and titles catch hold of your attention and you are glued to your device and do not know the time passing by. You do not do any other thing. Work gets affected and so does eating habits. Many people do not eat properly because they keep checking their phones while eating. This can cause serious accidents including choking on food.
Texting and driving is a serious problem which can cause harm to others also. Many people use their smartphones while driving and do not bother to stop their vehicle to speak or text and this can cause accidents. There are strict rules against this but people who are addicted to social media do not obey it or rather they are too addicted to bother about such rules.
Binging is a stress related problem. Binge eating and binge watching are an addiction and so is social media usage. Steps have to be taken to reduce this otherwise it will lead to more stress. People forget to live their own real life and end up depending more on online friends than their real life friends. Also, sharing personal information with online friends who could be fake is very bad and such fake friends could misuse the information to steal or cheat. Cyber crime is serious and people should be more careful.
How to reduce usage of social media apps
Develop a hobby
Switch off device for two hours a day and start interacting with people around you
Develop proper work and eating habits, avoid the smartphone during work hours and lunch time
Have a get together with old school mates and have fun in real life
Life Matters, Live Well