Please pay closer attention to what you are doing to your brain.
I grew up in a time where, in the beginning of my short life, the
internet was not even a figment of the world's imagination. For us, it
was AIM, and that was only the beginning. A new way to talk to my
friends and family that does not require having to physically speak? A
place where I can say anything I want, because the computer screen
can hide my feelings? Instant gratification monkey (see what I did
there?) receiving hit after hit every time you hit enter on the
keyboard and hear the bloOoOp sound? Abso-fucking-lutely.
Our brains have been groomed to crave the next dopamine hit, and
how it is so easy to make just a small movement with your thumb.
The more a person uses social media, especially those with certain
personalities or traits, the more it becomes an addiction. Perpetually
needing the next hit of a “like” or “follow”. Not only are we becoming
zombies, but we are also quite literally seeking attention from
hundreds, thousands, MILLIONS of people (lookin’ at you TikTok),
when really all we need is to slow down and feel real love from other
physical humans.
I am urging you, watch how you feel emotionally and physically when
you’re on social media.
All my best,
Your friendly self-proclaimed smartphone addict 🖤
Social media’s effect on psychological well-being can be linked to
every single one of the course themes.
Self care: Staying up too late because you just can’t stop scrolling,
and lose track of time.
Social justice: Posting misinformation.
Emotional intelligence: Feeling bad or upset when your post receives
little attention.
Career connections: Your boss sees a negative post you made and
considers it hate speech. You know where this is going.
Ethics: your ex makes a fake profile (identity theft) to stalk you.
Heyman, Jennifer L. September 2022.Social media use predicts
greater liking in in-person initial interactions. Personality and Social
Psychology Bulletin. Vol 48(9). pp. 1393-1405. https://eds-s-
ebscohost-
com.ezproxy.snhu.edu/eds/detail/detail?vid=1&sid=2a07bab1-c9f7-
4071-b11a-
80dced9cc2a6%40redis&bdata=JnNpdGU9ZWRzLWxpdmUmc2Nvc
GU9c2l0ZQ%3d%3d#db=psyh&AN=2022-91092-006
