Like-addicts: depending on fame in the adolescence of the 21st Century

Social networks are designed to get hooked on their use. Young people are the most vulnerable.

Part of the success that explains the popularity of social networks such as Facebook or Instagram lies in how easy they are to use. Their operation is simple, and once inside, it is easy to know what to do at any given moment with the flick of a finger (literally).

Unfortunately, that same simplicity of use constitutes a potentially harmful mechanics of use for many teenagers, an age group particularly vulnerable to "the charms" of this kind of virtual environments.

And if people as prone to distractions and immediacy as young people have learned to use social networks, it is because these digital platforms are able to constantly promise them the satisfaction of several of their basic needs. Ehis brings us to the subject of like-addictswhat they are, how they are made, and what can be done to manage this problem.

The causes of "like" dependency on social networks.

Two of the most important characteristics of adolescent psychology are the following: search for experiences beyond the familiar environment, and search for acceptance by a reference group (teenagers of the same age and a little older than oneself).

These sources of motivation for the average teenager often make many parents uncomfortable, and certainly sometimes do not fit in too well with the values and priorities of the parents. However, they are still part of the normal development of young people.

The desire for popularity does not usually become a problem or an obsession. But the reality is that, for the sake of fame and attention, some young people are capable of exposing themselves to risky situations (even for their lives) or overexposing their intimate life, becoming obsessed with the goal they are pursuing: recognition and popularity, all this translated into likes.. And the more the merrier.

This adolescent mentality can also make young people more prone to certain undesirable habits. Specifically, the uncontrolled use of social networks such as Facebook or Instagram can make them "hooked" to their smartphones and computers.The reason? These digital platforms allow them to constantly enter into a dynamic in which those two needs we mentioned above are quickly satisfied. That is why many boys and girls can end up developing addiction to mobile devices (nomophobia) and a severe addiction to likes (like-addicts).

The search for new experiences

On the one hand, social networks give the opportunity to be creating content continuously, almost without interruptionwriting statuses, posting photos, sharing videos... One type of content that these digital platforms try to prioritize is that which is created by users, which speaks about the person. Instagram stories, photos in which one can be tagged, personal reflections...

The companies that manage these platforms focus on original personal content, created by users, avoiding institutional content.and avoiding institutional content.

In this way, a context is created in which teenagers have an excuse to show themselves in different situations and share them on the Internet through photos, videos, messages, etc. Even those actions that at other times might seem ridiculous, are justified by the fact of being seen by many people who become potential sources of "likes". And this brings us to the next point.

The search for acceptance

As we have seen, social networks give reasons to publish content that talks about oneself, and this makes the fact of experiencing new experiences even more stimulating: you can get more out of exploring ruins, climbing an abandoned building, going on vacation to an exotic place or even wearing new clothes. And this ties in with the other major source of motivation for adolescents: the search for acceptance and respect from other young people.

Here it is important to bear in mind the following: the young people by whom the adolescent wants to feel accepted are not the members of his or her group of friends, but many other people, even strangers, or other adolescents in higher grades.The young people by whom the adolescent wants to feel accepted are not the members of his group of friends, but many more people, even strangers, or other adolescents in higher grades who have never heard of him.

This logic fits very well with what social networks offer: the possibility of generating content with potentially unlimited reach. If done well, a homemade video can go viral, reaching hundreds of thousands of people in a matter of hours. The reach of this content depends, in large part, on the number of times the content is shared, and the "likes" that others give to the video, photo or message.

In this way, social networks offer the possibility of becoming famous practically without having to move from the couchwithout first having to submit to the scrutiny of other people more popular than oneself, and even without depending on the collaboration of friends.

The result: the like-addicts

A social network is a place where original content is consumed and shared and where rewards what is personal and surprising. In return, it offers fame and a lifestyle based on constantly trying new things. All of this, working in real time, at the click of a button and with no waiting.

The result of this goes beyond a constant use of social networks to see what others have posted. Many teenagers around the world already fantasize about achieving fame in the virtual world. Achieving popularity, money and recognition thanks to social networks has already become one of their main desires..

In fact, there are already studies that suggest that in the adolescent population there is a direct relationship between the obsessive use of social networks and a greater likelihood of developing depression. That is why parental supervision and attention to observe how children use their social networks is important.

How to manage this problem?

It is clear that for many families this dynamic of social network use by teenage sons and daughters becomes a problem. Here are some recommendations on how to deal with it.

1. Improve risk education

Exposure to social networks carries many risks for adolescents. Make sure they are aware of them and keep them in mind.without alarming them by exaggerating so that they do not become obsessed with dangers that do not exist.

2. Better education in values

It is important that parents, teachers and tutors make young people understand that the most important thing in life is not only to be at the top of the social hierarchy by the number of followers on Facebook or Instagram. by the number of followers on Facebook or Instagram, and show them that there are other criteria by which they can be inspired.

Reinforce the positive values that underlie friendship, companionship, curiosity to learn... all this can also help to look for inspiring examples especially from people in their age group, people with whom they can easily identify.

3. If necessary, limit access to social networks

In cases where the use of social networks is very excessive, a timetable can be set for when the adolescent can access these social networks.. However, this should be done avoiding confrontation and explaining very well the reason for the measure.

In any case, completely prohibiting access is a bad idea, among other things because this could lead the adolescent to social isolation, especially if we take into account that practically all young people of his age socialize through these platforms.

The need to seek professional help

In some cases, it is necessary to seek psychotherapy.

Addictions go beyond the consumption of substances, and in fact can arise from behaviors that are entirely within the law. Dependence goes beyond the ingestion of substances, since in the end the addictive action is prioritized before everything else. A harmful habit that disrupts the psyche and life of the person, absorbing his or her attention completely.

In the case of young people who need to be constantly checking their social networks, the problem is not considered a psychiatric disorder recognized in the diagnostic manuals used by mental health professionals (as is the case, for example, with drug addiction), but it can be a problem, and it is advisable to seek psychological therapy.

The key to this is not to remain superficial: beyond the apparent addiction to social networks, there are specific psychological mechanisms that are being exploited by these platforms. that are being exploited by these digital platforms. Therefore, to understand what happens to those teenagers who do not take off the screen, it is necessary to understand why like-addicts arise, and act accordingly by seeking professional help from psychologists.