PROJECT RECOVERY

Five questions to ask yourself if you think you might have a social media addiction

Oct 29, 2020, 11:25 AM

social media addiction...

As the state of Utah sees record numbers in COVID-19 cases, many families are staying inside as much as possible — which has in turn led to an increase in social media addiction.

According to a recent survey, over 72% of social media users admitted to increasing their usage during the pandemic. Coupled with its effects on our mental health, it might be time to take a step back and ask yourself if you have a social media addiction.

The dangers of social media addiction

Researchers are learning more and more about social media’s effects on our mental health every day. Research has even shown that those who used social media every day were almost 3 times as likely to suffer from depression among young adults.

It’s hard to explain whether or not there is a direct correlation between social media addiction and depression. There are multiple factors to consider when looking into how social media can impact our mental health.

  • Self-esteem issues – As we scroll through the never-ending timelines and feeds of social media, we are constantly analyzing the best of those we follow. This can not only be time-consuming but it can also have a negative impact on our self-esteem. We begin to compare ourselves to people we might not even know. This can in turn lead to a negative image of ourselves or being frustrated because we aren’t more like the person we see.
  • Cyberbullying – If you have spent any time recently on social media, it won’t take long for you to realize the impact of cyberbullying. Hurtful and rude comments flood every platform from Facebook to Instagram, as well as to Twitter. A virtual wall divides those commenting their opinions, which can provide an opportunity for bullies to be completely anonymous. This has led to an increase in hateful and racist speech and leaves many users feeling attacked and discouraged.
  • Depression and anxiety – The constant flood of information can sometimes be too much to handle emotionally. Seeing the best version of other’s lives while you are struggling to cope with issues in your own life can cause many to dive deeper into a state of sadness and depression.

Five questions to ask yourself if you think you have a social media addiction

If you think you might be spending too much time online ask yourself whether these apply to you or not. If so, it might be time to take a step back.

  • Are you spending longer than thirty minutes a day on social media?
  • Do you check your phone immediately when you wake up and go to bed?
  • Do you obsess over getting likes and comments?
  • Have you spent a significant amount of time checking your feeds while at work or at school?
  • Are you constantly picking up your phone to see the latest posts?

How to cut back on your social media use

If after asking yourselves the questions above, you think you might have a social media addiction — don’t worry. There are ways to help cut back on your usage and it’s a lot easier than you might think. Here are a couple of ideas to help cut out social media from your life.

Take a day off – It’s as simple as it seems. Just take a day off. Turn your phone notifications on silent and put it away from where you can see it. That way it’s not constantly in the back of your mind as you go about your day.

Give yourself an allotted amount of time – If you think you can’t cut back exclusively, give yourself an amount of time throughout the day that you can use it. That way you can limit your usage and can give yourself an opportunity to open up your day to more opportunities to enjoy life outside of social media.

Pick up a hobby – If you find that it’s hard to just cut your ties with social media completely, consider finding an alternative way to spend your time. Whether it’s reading a book, drawing, going to the gym, running, or volunteering your time, there are countless ways to spend your time that might promote better mental well-being.

To learn more about addiction listen to the Project Recovery podcast

For more information on opioid prevention or if you or someone you know is struggling, you can find more information on Facebook, KSL TV, or from Use Only as Directed. To hear more from Casey Scott and Dr. Matt Woolley, you can listen below or subscribe to the ‘Project Recovery’ podcast on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get major podcasts.

KSL 5 TV Live

Project Recovery

recovery...

Josh Tilton

How a Utah recovery center is innovating treatment for substance abuse

A Utah recovery center owner is redefining how others find recovery after he struggled to live a substance-free lifestyle for years. Jordan Burningham, who was once addicted to heroin and struggling to stay sober, is in charge of one of the leading innovative recovery centers in Utah. He’s currently 6 years sober himself and through […]

3 years ago

Instagram...

Josh Tilton

How Instagram became an outlet for a mother struggling with addiction

After struggling for years with being able to stay sober, Gentry Jones turned to Instagram to try and help curb her addiction to alcohol and get her on the road to recovery. Gentry, now a mother of four kids, began to experiment with alcohol throughout her teenage years. Her substance abuse began to escalate as […]

3 years ago

Tainted...

Josh Tilton

Utah artist on how his addiction help fueled the creation of his new single “Tainted”

Growing up in a traditional Utah household, Tyler Gould was living the all-American dream. He was active in multiple sports and even a member of the Church of Latter-Day Saints. But after getting an itch to sell extra ADD medicine that he had laying around when he was fourteen years old, his life would never […]

3 years ago

Project Recovery host Casey Scott talks to Sarah Frei about their experiences with drunk driving cr...

Ashley Moser & Jared Turner, KSL TV

Sarah Frei Gives Emotional Interview About Losing Legs In Crash

Project Recovery podcast host Casey Scott sat down with Sarah Frei, the young woman who lost both of her legs in a crash caused by a drunk driver.

3 years ago

Coming to understand what Casey Scott’s addiction was truly like for his children only came recen...

Aley Davis & Debbie Worthen, KSL TV

Addiction Through A Daughter’s Eyes: How Teen’s Letter Impacted Casey Scott

Addiction is a family disease. It doesn't just affect the individual struggling, but everyone who loves them. Former KSL-TV feature reporter Casey Scott took that message to heart after reading a paper written by his 16-year-old daughter, Preslee.

4 years ago

promote safe prescription drug use...

Josh Tilton

Helpful ways to promote safe prescription drug use with Know Your Script

SALT LAKE CITY — Between 2017-2020, Intermountain Healthcare has been successful in reducing opioids by 9.5 million fewer pills and reducing benzodiazepine and opioid co-prescribing by 49%. All the while, finding ways to promote safe prescription drug use for Utahns within our state. According to Kim Compagni, AVP Pain Management Services at Intermountain Healthcare, we […]

4 years ago

Sponsored Articles

abstract vector digital social network technology background...

Les Olson

Protecting yourself against social engineering attacks

Learn more about the common types of social engineering to protect your online or offline assets from an attack.

family having fun at home...

Lighting Design

Discover the impact of lighting on your mood

From color temperature to lighting saturation, we tackle how different lighting design setups can impact your day-to-day mood.

Laptops in a modern technology store. Department of computers in the electronics store. Choosing a ...

PC Laptops

How to choose the best laptop for college students

Finding the right laptop for college students can be hard, but with this guide we break down what to look for so you can find the best one.

young male technician is repairing a printer at office...

Les Olson

Unraveling the dilemma between leasing and buying office technology

Carefully weigh these pros and cons to make an informed decision that best suits your business growth and day-to-day operation. 

A kitchen in a modern farmhouse....

Lighting Design

A room-by-room lighting guide for your home

Bookmark this room-by-room lighting guide whenever you decide to upgrade your lighting or style a new home.

Photo courtesy of Artists of Ballet West...

Ballet West

The rising demand for ballet tickets: why they’re harder to get

Ballet West’s box office is experiencing demand they’ve never seen before, leaving many interested patrons unable to secure tickets they want.

Five questions to ask yourself if you think you might have a social media addiction