Overcoming social media addiction

The primary function of social media platforms is to promote digital human interaction, entertainment and to disseminate information. Designed to be addictive, the use of these social platforms can trigger individuals to be constant users, leading to an addiction. Prominent in millennials and generation z, this addiction can be detrimental in many aspects.

If you or someone you know has social media addiction, then here are some tips to overcome the addiction:

Acknowledge your addiction

The first step in overcoming any form of addiction is acknowledgement. Acknowledging that you are addicted to social media helps you to establish ways to overcome and most importantly, helps you to implement those ways effectively. Sometimes it is hard to even notice that your constant manoeuvring around apps is an addiction – until loved ones make you aware of it. When this happens, get into self-introspection mode and assess your ways.

Develop healthier habits

We live in a digital world and with the rise of 4IR, our digital gadgets are never out of reach – even worse with the pandemic. Work circulates around our PCs and our cellphones are constantly beeping with notifications.

Substituting screen time with a healthier activity like reading, a colouring book or taking a walk may seem boring compared to viewing Insta-stories, but these small changes will help you to detach from your cellphone. Put it in a separate room while you engage with the activity. Even if it’s for thirty minutes to an hour. Over time, this practice will be a habit and it will be beneficial to your personal development.

Set up a timetable

Following any type of schedule requires discipline and dedication. Since it is unrealistic to cut off social media altogether at once, a timetable with scheduled times to check your phone will slowly program your mind to only access social media at those hours. This is a long-term remedy and may eliminate traces of social media addiction in the future.

Put your phone on silent

The notification beep has a direct link to our minds. As soon as your phone makes a sound, you are prompted to immediately attend to it, no matter what you are doing. Putting your phone on silent while you are busy with something else can help with overcoming social media addiction and the constant need to be on your phone. Placing it face down can also help as the light of the phone can also not be seen.  

The social media world has become a huge part of our daily lives and cannot be avoided, making it hard to overcome social media addiction. With restrictions and healthy habits, this addiction can be avoided, making life digital but in a healthy way.