MY SOCIAL MEDIA TRANSITION (2)

Why I’m transitioning away from social media :

My mental health suffers.

I’ve been studying how smartphones and social media impact emotional and mental health. For a while, researchers noticed an uptick in anxiety, depression, suicidal ideation and even negative body image. However, they’ve just started becoming confident that they can link social media as a causation. That’s a big deal. While a lot of research was focused on kids and young adults, it’s mind-boggling to see some of the correlations that I experience personally.

There are times that I get dragged down a rabbit hole of instagram. When I finally pop my head up, I find my self feeling overwhelmed and anxious. I feel it spiritually (in the subtle comparisons and discontentment), but also physiologically (tightness in my chest and or headaches). Cognitively, we know that people are only posting the highlight reels of their lives. Even still, the content flows too quickly for our brains to make that distinction.

Social media toys with the dopamine reward centers of the brain. Addiction is defined as a chronic, relapsing disorder characterized by compulsive [drug] seeking and use despite adverse consequences. Instagram and TikTok create just enough engagement to keep you compulsively seeking for likes, shares, and follows. I cannot tell you how many people say that they click the apps compulsively and without thought. I cannot tell you how many times people say they stay online despite the known adverse effects.  THIS IS BY DESIGN. I REPEAT:THIS IS BY DESIGN. When you learn that executives sit in rooms, brainstorming how to keep you addicted to their platform… it’s actually quite menacing.

This is a particularly difficult time for the world right now. From a spiritual standpoint, the enemy knows that are minds are a battlefield. It seems like social media is wearing down the gates of our minds, leaving us susceptible to the schemes of the enemy. We have to allow the Lord to fortify our minds. God promises that His perfect love casts out all fear and there is peace within His presence. No weapon formed against us shall prosper. Remember that you’re already victorious in Christ and you can win any mental battle as well.

Be blessed. Love you.