How Social Media Affects Us, Teens, and Why it Can Be Toxic

I’d be a fool to tell you that social media has a toxic effect on you, your relationships, and your ability to access more joy, meaning, and success. Why?

I’m a marketing specialist. I spent a year of my life learning digital marketing. I should be writing an article about how marvelous social media is so I can leverage the platforms to sell and create new desire or change ideas. I'm calling red.

Social media is the new playground for marketing people everywhere. It has never been easier to leverage the vast data available and then pitch advertisements to you targeted for maximum relevancy.

I’m not sure how a business can achieve success today without social media, but that doesn’t mean you need social platforms.

But I’m asking you to stop using it. I’m on a mission to increase people’s glow of health and wellbeing. I’ve discovered how social media affects us, and why it is toxic.

The way the vast majority of people use and engage with social media has a negative impact on mental health, the depth, and strength of relationships, and your access to joy.

Social media has shine and glimmer.

Social media platforms utilize the same reward system as slot machines. Swipe that smartphone screen, and you could get a ‘hit’ of validation, a sense of connection, entertainment. Then again, this time you may turn away from the screen dejected.

This can happen even if you see that you have received hundreds of ‘likes’ and ‘shares’ on a post. How could this be?

Well, you may have received a million likes, but what does that mean? Perhaps you get a jolt of satisfaction from the the hundreds of likes, but then feel lonely and realize you haven’t gone out for coffee with any of your ‘friends’ in months; you’ve been too busy to spend time with the people virtually.

Hey, all those hours on social media add up. The number of hours we need to work in a day has increased. Something has to give, and often, it is often quality time.

Put The Phone Down

Some people are so busy ‘capturing’ moments with those they care about, that they aren’t engaging with them. Is it little wonder that talk of ‘being present and in the moment’ is everywhere?

Are you ready to find out if you have an addiction to social media? Get ready, to be honest, and answer the following questions:

Is it possible for you to go to a party with friends and family and not take pictures?

Can you repress the urge to check social media for two weeks?

Can you meet a friend and keep your phone in your pocket or purse the entire time?

Will it be possible for you to take a two-week holiday from social media?