I'm Angry and You Should Be Too!
Mind Games
How Social Media Is Manipulating You & Me
You've heard it before...
...social media is bad
BUT WHY?
remove_red_eye
It's creating a world of ADDICTS
It's promotes UNHEALTHY HABITS
settings
(less - sleep, exercise and motivation)
It's linked to increases in
DEPRESSION - ANXIETY - SUICIDE
DEPRESSION - ANXIETY - SUICIDE
Meet Mark Zuckerberg, the founder of Facebook and CEO of Meta (the parent company of Facebook and Instagram).
Looks like a nice guy, right?
Think again.
He ignored warnings from research presented by his own executives about widespread mental health issues among youth using his platforms.
His company used the addictive nature to gain more users, more advertisers, and ultimately more profits.
WTH?!
"Who got fired for all this?"
- Sen. Hawley
- Sen. Hawley
"I'm not going to answer that."
- Zuckerberg
- Zuckerberg
Tech CEOs Testify for Senate
January 31, 2023
January 31, 2023
Facebook Whistleblower Testifies
October 5, 2021
October 5, 2021
Taking a Stand!
META is being sued by 42 states, including the District of Columbia, claiming that the company’s products have caused severe harm to the psyche of America’s youth. The suits rely not only on mountains of research and data but more importantly on leaked internal documents that show Meta was aware of the negative effects of their platforms but chose to do nothing about it.
If the lawsuits are successful, Meta will have to change how it makes and advertises its apps and will likely have to pay substantial fines. This is similar to what happened when people sued the tobacco companies in the 1990s, which resulted in massive fines and transformed how the industry advertised cigarettes.
Know the Facts
Meta's Founders Have Known Their Platforms Are Harmful for YEARS
FACT
Meta's internal documents admit that their social media platforms are harmful to mental health.
Meta's own research shows that these platforms exacerbate body image issues, particularly among teenage girls. Additionally, it identifies a connection between Instagram usage and increased rates of anxiety and depression, with some users attributing their thoughts of suicide to their use of these platforms.
FACT
Meta's research highlights that users admit to feeling 'addicted' to their platforms, classifying their engagement as 'compulsive.'
Despite being aware of the negative impact on their mental health, these users often struggle to stop their social media use. The more they use it the more they crave it, resulting in a decrease in:
- mental strength
- physical strength
- emotional strength
- personal relationships
- successes outside of the virtual world
Social Media Addiction
What you need to know
Why is Social Media Addictive?
Social media is addictive for many reasons, but at its core, like every addiction, it comes down to how the brain works.
When a person uses social media, whether they realize it or not, they get a little burst of happiness thanks to a chemical in our bodies called dopamine.
Over time a person can become dependent on this rush of dopamine to feel a sense of happiness.
Additionally, the addiction will likely become worse. Things that once provided the rush of dopamine (i.e. sinking a 3-pointer, creating a dance, acing a test, etc.) will be replaced with the social media rush because it takes little to no effort to receive.
Over time a person can become dependent on this rush of dopamine to feel a sense of happiness.
Additionally, the addiction will likely become worse. Things that once provided the rush of dopamine (i.e. sinking a 3-pointer, creating a dance, acing a test, etc.) will be replaced with the social media rush because it takes little to no effort to receive.
It's Designed to Addict You
Features such as notifications, likes, endless scrolling, social validations, and personalized content make social media addictive due to:
- The fear of missing out (FOMO)
- Attempt to fill a loneliness void
- A method of seeking attention
- A way to fill up boredom/idle time
Why Is Social Media Addiction Dangerous?
On average, people with the internet spend about 2.5 hours every day on social media.
This habit can lead to issues with self-control, where individuals find it hard to manage or limit their social media time. This leads to digital addiction. Digital Addiction leads to:
This habit can lead to issues with self-control, where individuals find it hard to manage or limit their social media time. This leads to digital addiction. Digital Addiction leads to:
- Sadness and Depression
- Stress and Anxiety
- Poor Sleep
- Poor Self-Worth
- Poor Relationships
- Difficulty problem solving and learning
Why do people keep using social media even when they know it’s making them feel bad?
The simple answer – ADDICTION
Most alcoholics know that alcohol is harming their mental health, physical health, relationships, career, etc., but they can’t seem to stop. They feel this strong urge, like an obsession or compulsion, that drives them to keep going. Social media has the same effect on the brain.
It's Time To Break The Addiction!
1. DIGITAL DETOX
This is more than just stopping social media. It’s difficult, if not impossible, to break a bad habit without replacing it with a good habit. Boredom and idle time have proven to lead to excessive use of social media. Identify what things you will do in place of social media time: (hobbies, reading, exercising, etc.)
2. CREATE A PLAN
Creating and following a schedule for your social media use will help your brain stop looking for it at all times.
3. GET SUPPORT
Talk to people you know who have kicked social media or have a healthy relationship with it. Find a friend to buddy up with to kick the habit and develop new ones.
3. CREATE HEALTHY HABITS
Technology and social media are a part of our lives. After you've kicked the addiction, you may want to consider creating a plan to use social media in a healthy positive way. However, like any addiction this will take time. Wait until you:
This is more than just stopping social media. It’s difficult, if not impossible, to break a bad habit without replacing it with a good habit. Boredom and idle time have proven to lead to excessive use of social media. Identify what things you will do in place of social media time: (hobbies, reading, exercising, etc.)
2. CREATE A PLAN
Creating and following a schedule for your social media use will help your brain stop looking for it at all times.
3. GET SUPPORT
Talk to people you know who have kicked social media or have a healthy relationship with it. Find a friend to buddy up with to kick the habit and develop new ones.
3. CREATE HEALTHY HABITS
Technology and social media are a part of our lives. After you've kicked the addiction, you may want to consider creating a plan to use social media in a healthy positive way. However, like any addiction this will take time. Wait until you:
- have spent a significant amount of time practicing new habits in place of social media use
- no longer feel a sense of craving for it
- are back to doing things you once loved
- feel mentally, physically and emotionally healthy/strong
- are achieving what you are capable of in all other areas of your life
GET HEALTHY!
Take back control of your life and your future!
We're getting dumber
The below infographic was created 10 years ago. Can you imagine the average attention span today?
Looking for more information?
Contact: Carol (AKA - your mom, aunt, godmother, friend)
Contact: Carol (AKA - your mom, aunt, godmother, friend)