Psychosocial consequences of excessive use of social networks

These are the main ways in which the excessive use of social networks affects us

The irruption of social networks continues to modify the way we relate to the world, not only allowing us to interact with people at a distance, but also making it possible to break down the barriers that prevent us from using them.Not only do they allow us to interact with people at a distance, but they also make it possible to break down the borders that previously prevented us from accessing knowledge, cultures and even sustaining our COVID-19 economy, in some cases.

However, their use, being an affordable and everyday tool, becomes a double-edged sword. For example, do you find it hard to disconnect from your cell phone when you are not aware of current news? Do you feel despair, anger or frustration when you are not connected to your social networks most of the time? Do you usually compare yourself or feel sad when you see the publications of your acquaintances? Do you notice changes in your mood when you don't get the likes you expected?

In this article we will talk a little about these effects that have become a daily phenomenon associated with the excessive use of social networks, to finally talk about the importance of self-care.

The excessive use of social networks in today's society.

Today the phenomenon of the digital age is sweeping through us, and with it comes major psychosocial changes. To begin with, many people have accessed the virtual world for personal reasons. Some for greater communication with their families, friends or even to access their professional activities, while others use it only for entertainment. What is a fact is that this technological revolution has brought about a change in the whole process of socialization and, consequently, in the socialization process, many alterations and psychological repercussions.

With all this, the Internet world has generated networks that connect at the same time millions of people within spaces that affect the way of thinking and feeling, generating dynamics of appropriation in which certain attitudes and behaviors are expected when programming ideas that sometimes violate people, starting from their self-perception..

For this reason, the issue of identity is one of the most damaged axes, being multidirectional and a preponderant element in the life of any person formed by a spectrum of qualities, characteristics and traits that are perceived and recognized to distinguish themselves from the rest. However, the impact of social networks sells the idea that all people are identical.The teenager, being in an environment that prevents physical encounters, exposing him or herself to the loss of privacy due to the phenomenon of recognition and approval of others.

Psychological factors

Contemplating this, there are many alterations in people's lives, being constantly related to the excessive use of social networks, as several studies show by showing the relationship they have with stress, anxiety and depression, given the promising reward of being a successful person by the amount of "likes" or retweets they may get to have.

Furthermore, let's consider that there are many minors who grow up day by day with these ideasThis demand becomes part of their daily lives as they are surrounded by social roles and stereotypes.

In this scenario, we can continue talking about the addiction that is created by being immersed most of our time in the networks, leading to a series of behavioral changes, such asleading to a series of changes in behavior, such as:

• Loss of notion and control of time.
• Irritability and isolation.
• Low performance in routine activities.
• Disinterest in things that used to be done and enjoyed.
• Alterations in the wake-sleep cycle.
• Insecurity.
• Overweight due to sedentary lifestyle.
• Excessive energy due to the telephone or other link to connect to social networks.

Sociological factors

Once we have considered in isolation the effects of self-perception on the person and the psychological effects, it is necessary to see how these conditions are extrapolated to the social and psychological effects. how these conditions are extrapolated in the social domain.So let us move on to interpersonal relationships, where there is obviously a revolution in socio-cultural dynamics. A change in communication can be observed, starting from the family, school and work.

Being immersed most of the time in social networks, the loss of attention, concentration and memory capacity begin to be more constant, making it impossible to have deep, pleasant or productive conversations.This makes it impossible to have deep, pleasant or productive conversations at work, with friends and/or family.

In addition to this, physical meetings are becoming more and more complicated in these times, since the arrival of the COVID-19 has reduced daily meetings, which has increased the use of social networks to continue communicating at a distance. It is undeniable the increase of cybernetic consumption in everyone's life, especially in adolescents, which has sponsored the disdain of the influence of the Other in the social network.

Finally, it is important to make visible the risk that these generations run when exposed to cyberbulliyng, sexual harassment (where women have been mostly affected) and sexual encounters or dates with strangers, since the promising myth of empowerment has allowed people to interact and have erotic exchanges, with which they often end up violated by circulating intimate content without their consent. end up being violated by the circulation of intimate content without their consent and, as a result, severe psychological disturbance occurs.

Final reflections

Being aware of the role of social networks in our lives is essential to prevent the chaotic consequences of their prevent the chaotic consequences of their excessive use, particularly withespecially with the issue of addiction.

Although nowadays we know that they are part of our daily lives, and that they are also multifaceted instruments and their intervention in capitalism has become stronger since globalization and neoliberalism, it is important that from self-care we deepen our role with the excessive use of social networks or, if you consider that you have difficulties, try to find alternatives to prevent you from experiencing these psychosocial effects at some point.

Finally, I consider it pertinent to mention some recommendations as part of self-care:

• Keep track of your time use.
• If you think it is hard for you to stop watching content that hurts or harms you, start with short goals and propose to stop watching it little by little.
• Don't stop doing the activities you enjoy so much, as long as they don't put you at risk from the pandemic.
• Leave your cell phone or any digital device aside during your sleeping hours. Don't let it influence your waking hours and try to sleep 8-9 hours minimum.
• Enjoy the company of your loved ones.
• Remember that you are a unique person and that the number of likes or retweets does not define anyone.

Just as the use of social networks can be dangerous in excess, we can also put them to good use.. The most important thing is that from self-care we do not allow the demands of the cyber world to lead us to have these psychosocial problems from which it is difficult to get out.

Author: Daniel De Gyves, psychologist, writer and social activist. Collaborator in Emotional Astronaut.

Bibliographic recommendations:

• Del Barrio, Angela & Ruiz, Isabel. (2014). Adolescents and the use of social networks. INFAD Journal of Psychology. International Journal of Developmental and Educational Psychology. Vol. 3, No. 1: 571-576.
• Fernandes, Nestor. (2013). Conduct disorders and social networks on the Internet. Salud Mental. Vol. 36, No. 6: 521-527.
• International University of Valencia. (2018). Social networks and their psychological effects. Retrieved from: https://www.universidadviu.com/las-redes-sociales-efectos-psicologicos/ on November 19, 2020.