InvestNow News 18th Oct – Milford – The true power of social media
Stephanie Perrin – Investment Analyst – October 4, 2019
Over the years, our smartphones have become extensions of our bodies. In fact, it’s rare to walk down the street without needing to sidestep someone who’s nose is buried in their phone. There’s even a name for the feeling of anxiety caused by separation from one’s mobile: nomophobia (“no-mobile” phobia). Why are we so addicted?
Smartphones serve a multitude of functional purposes, including access to information, entertainment and communication. And most of us consider them to be a necessary, integral part of our lives. However, like other addictions, interacting with our smartphones can stimulate a rush of the “feel good” chemical dopamine in our brains, reinforcing whatever behaviour preceded it and causing us to eagerly anticipate the next text, tweet or notification of a “like” on social media. Of course, human beings naturally crave social interaction, and social media enables this at the touch of a button which drives our obsessive behaviour.
In and of itself, the above may not be a problem. However, issues arise when excessive use of social media starts to displace “real” face-to-face interactions, leading to feelings of isolation, or takes away from healthy activities like exercising and getting enough sleep. Studies have also looked at the theory of upward social comparison, where people compare themselves to others’ perfectly curated (and often photoshopped) images portraying wealth, success, popularity and beauty, which can lead to feelings of low self-esteem, anxiety and depression.