Chapter 4 - Social media: utility versus addiction

Abstract

Social media use has been increasing in all societies exponentially since its inception. The associated benefits are the major driving forces behind the popularity of social media. Advancements in the technology field, increased affordability, and more technical awareness have lately increased its usage in societies around the world. Currently, more than half of the total world population uses some form of social media. Social interaction is one of the inherited needs of humans. Social media provides easy, cost-effective, and fast outreach to people at far distances. In contrast to traditional methods of communicating and interacting, people can easily reach out to even strangers and with less hesitation on social media. All of these benefits were great enough for social media to expand, but the occurrence of the COVID-19 pandemic has turned out to be a blessing for social media to expand even faster. The restrictions placed on people during COVID-19 created an almost virtual world. All types of work, schools, and offices had to move online, and much of it was possible. Social media turned out to be a great resource for people to stay connected. Mental health issues increased during COVID-19, but social media was able to aid some relief in that situation. Excess use of social media is being termed an addiction. Comparing the overuse of social media with the psychiatric-based definition, social media can be considered a behavioral addiction. For any behavior, there must be some theoretical reasons that should explain the behavior. The literature review found several theories applicable in explaining social media usage. Attachment, motivation, and learning theories are found to be the most suitable for explaining the increasing rate of social media. Social media does offer multiple benefits, but its uses are also associated with negative health and social and physical outcomes. Depression, anxiety, stress, physical inactivity, sleep problems, poor academic performance, interpersonal issues, and low self-esteem are commonly found in associated people. Children are very vulnerable to social media addiction, and its inappropriate use and a lack of proper understanding among older adults bring a higher risk of scams and phishing. The virtual atmosphere created during the pandemic has some potential to lead to epigenetic effects on babies who were conceived during that phase. In a nutshell, social media has advantages, but its disadvantages are not ignorable. Public health interventions are needed to address the negative effects of social media.