During a Good Morning America interview in March 2022, pop music star Selena Gomez provided some details about what her life has been like after spending more than four years away from social media. The singer and actress decided to live offline while getting treatment for lupus as well as anxiety and depression; she has described the experience as being cathartic because she is now a much happier person.
Even though Gomez is not on the internet herself, she has more than 500 million followers across various social networks such as Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok; the content is created and managed by members of a digital marketing team. If we go by statistics compiled by the Global Web Index in 2020, those who follow Gomez spend an average of 2.5 hours on social networks each day, and this is eight times higher than recommended.
In 2018, researchers from the University of Pennsylvania published the results of a study in which they recommended spending 30 minutes each day on social media, and no more than four hours per week. The research methodology for this study involved college students who gradually cut back their daily use of social media in 10-minute intervals; the goal was to observe whether feelings of isolation, depression, and anxiety would subside with reduced time spent on social networks. The results were positive for the test subjects, and this study would later become the basis for which mental health professionals to base their 30-minute recommendation.
By molding human feelings of attachment, engagement, and connection, executives at social networks are able to make their information exchange platforms addictive, thus drumming up advertising revenue. The stimulation provided by social media activity targets neurotransmitters such as dopamine, which we perceive as rewards that feel similar to enjoying delicious meals or even using controlled substances. There is also the feeling of being virtually connected with friends and loved ones through social media. Once social media addiction sets in, depression and anxiety can become exacerbated.
Creating boundaries to prevent excessive use of social media starts with acknowledging the problem and then gradually reducing the time spent on it. If you find this to be difficult, please contact our office to evaluate your treatment options. Talk therapy works for most patients; some may benefit from ketamine infusions to complement their therapeutic sessions.
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