The impact of social media and internet addiction

By: Manvi Pandey

‘‘Social media has changed not only our powers of thinking, but today governs our behaviour and social conducts as well.’’

Nowadays, everyone uses mobile phones, computers, and other devices in their day-to-day lives. Not only children but also adults spend a significant amount of time on their phones, which is quite concerning. While students often use the internet for studying and understanding concepts, some of them take advantage of it in negative ways. They spend their time playing games or chatting on social media platforms, leading to a lack of focus on their studies and easy distractions. Moreover, students tend to rely heavily on the internet for answers instead of trying to find them independently, as everything is readily available online.

According to BBC, nearly 99% of people are suffering from internet addiction disorder. People expose their personal lives on the internet and engage in unhealthy comparisons, leading to social anxiety. Numerous studies have shown that violent games on social media platforms contribute to increased violent tendencies, such as suicides, murders, and rude behaviours among children.

Additionally, research indicates that receiving likes on social media can be psychologically pleasing, leading to addictive behaviour. Individuals may feel a sense of support or believe that more people like or are proud of them. I have a question: How does using the internet affect your behaviour? Unfortunately, for many people, it has a negative impact on their behaviour.

Internet addiction, problematic internet use, impulsivity, personality issues, and internet gaming disorder are some of the problems that negatively impact people’s lives and behaviour.

Lastly, it’s worth noting that excessive internet use also affects our eyesight. Therefore, it is essential to spend less time on the internet and social media. Instead, we can engage in conversations, play games, or simply enjoy our own company with the people around us.