2023 Author: Jake Johnson | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-05-24 23:11
Social media addiction is a big problem today. Technological advances give us opportunities, but they always have a downside. The one that dominates us or through which the complexes and miseries of the human being are filtered.
Addiction to social networks has a direct relationship with image dependency. It is of vital importance for the subject, in these cases, what is the reception of the own image by others. Liking, liking, being followed or acclaimed by others translates into likes and followers. The entire structure of self-esteem may end up being based on the recognition of others.
Technological social networks end up providing the option to be connected, but without a link. This exchange includes the fictitious possibility of showing only part of one's own experiences; filter what is considered attractive or desirable to others. In this way, the type of exchange, in addition to being virtual, practically has a character of personal marketing, or propaganda.
This translates, in cases of addiction or massive use, to the construction of a parallel reality, which drives the subject to the constant need to participate in networks, be informed, check and recheck states, responses, and not miss anything that happens in this other reality. That need is, among other things, what produces this attitude of compulsive dependency.
This usually results in great anxiety. An intense and demanding rhythm that makes it difficult to match, to always be at that level of participation. This demand is also marked by the actions of others who are considered valuable, and who show us that rhythm associated with feelings of success and happiness.
This then translates into the perception and belief that success requires continuing at that pace. Show, and match those others in activity. A task that is pursued and sustained at the expense, as we said before, of large amounts of anxiety, compulsions, difficulty relaxing and carrying on day to day with ease. The envy and competition find in this terrain an ideal place to proliferate.
The comparisons, both in numbers and in images, enhance this demand and prevent slowing down the pace.
Social networks, are at some point, a new mirror, for people and society as a whole. Showing others is actually showing something to ourselves. It is the subject's own image that the subject wants to see, the return of others transforms that image, widens it or collapses it.
In the same way that Narcissus stands in front of the reflecting pool, the subject is constantly in front of the apparatus: social networks are the perfect element of narcissism.
The real addiction is to see oneself: how I am, what image I give, how loved and valued I am.
In these cases, as we said before, two separate planes are created:
On the one hand: the daily, behavioral, emotional and psychic life of the person and on the other hand: life in the social network. The alienation and alienation that living constantly in that parallel world can cause, can result in anxiety and even a certain depersonalization, which can translate into the belief that this reality is or should it be the whole reality.
Given this description, it is important not to overshadow ourselves with extremist theories. The social network helps and can be a great tool to promote our own projects, dissemination, contact with people who are far away, among others. But it has to be just that, atool used by the person at will. Thus, you can choose to use it, and also not to use it when you decide.
If the person becomes a slave to the tool, then they have been and remain dominated by the rules of the social network. And it is in these cases that their Mental He alth, constituting pictures of anxiety, addiction, compulsions such as those described. It is in these latter cases that professional consultation is recommended.
