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Ryoga

Reasons to Delete Social Media: It's Worse Than You Think

Updated: Mar 14


Image: Six young people sitting and actively using social media on their devices.

Do you ever find yourself mindlessly scrolling through social media, absorbing a never-ending stream of carefully curated content? If your answer is yes, then you are not alone. In an era where digital platforms dominate, we are unwittingly becoming hostages to social media, often to the detriment of our intellectual and emotional growth. I've written about how to stop internet addiction before, but this time, I'll delve into the dark side of social media and the drastic measures we need to take to reclaim our lives.



Consuming Contents


Social media platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok have transformed into vast digital landscapes where information is incessantly disseminated. It's easy to justify the hours spent on these platforms by convincing ourselves that we are consuming educational content. But the reality is far from it. More often than not, our time on social media is spent passively scrolling through posts of little substance, which does little for our intellectual growth. Is this the kind of content consumption we should be investing our time in?


Is it valuable content?


I was addicted to the evil of social media. I used to scroll down Instagram posts or watch YouTube shorts, but I realized that I've never stumbled upon any valuable content. There were some nutritional facts and fitness tips, but if I had searched on Google, I could have found them too. Besides, scrolling through those social media posts makes us passive. We're not actively searching, but just being passive and developing short-term focus. Can you even sit down and read one page? If you can't because you have a short attention span.



Easy Dopamine Release


When operating within the realm of social media, our minds are continually tricked into experiencing pleasure. This is due to the release of dopamine, a neurotransmitter that brings about feelings of happiness and satisfaction. Dopamine release is a natural process associated with rewarding activities, such as eating delicious food, positive social interactions, accomplishing goals and achieving success, exploring new places, exercising, etc. But those are not easy to achieve daily; they require hard work and effort or even require money. And every time our brain releases dopamine, we feel pleasure and want more.


Now, how about social media? Social media platforms have hijacked this process. They provide extremely easy access to dopamine hits without requiring any significant effort or accomplishment on our part. This manipulation of our brain's reward system is what makes social media so addictive and ultimately, detrimental to our growth.



The Risk of Instant Gratification


The accessibility and convenience of social media have made it a prime source for instant gratification. With just a swipe or a click, it doesn't require any effort or hard work. We can access an endless stream of content, providing an immediate sense of satisfaction at zero cost. This rapid reward system has conditioned our brains to seek pleasure without effort, fostering laziness and diminishing our capacity for hard work and patience. Basically, we become lazy. No more effort, no more hard work. Social media is worse than you think.



The Risk of Wasting Time


Time is the most valuable asset we have. Mindlessly checking social media can result in the loss of valuable time. This is especially critical for those in their younger years, such as teenagers, and people in their 20s and 30s, as they have the most potential to strive to achieve their personal goals and fulfillment. Time won't come back. Why should we waste our precious assets for the sake of killing time?



The Dangers of Social Media Addiction


As we journey further down the rabbit hole of social media, we become increasingly passive and develop a short-term focus. This passivity is detrimental to our mental agility, reducing our capacity for concentrated effort and deep thinking. The addictive nature of social media is not to be underestimated; it's a subtle yet potent force that gradually erodes our mental and emotional well-being. Stay away from social media as much as you can.



How to Quit Social Media


The only solution available is to delete all social media from your phone. This is the best solution, rather than not having a phone. However, we need the phone to contact someone or for work, right? If someone messages you through Instagram or Facebook, you can give them your phone number or WhatsApp. Checking WhatsApp isn't ideal either, but it's still better than mindlessly scrolling down social media. You can also keep the social media apps on your laptop or desktop if you need them for work. I suppose no one scrolls down social media on their computer. If you do, then delete the social media apps completely from any device.



The Benefits of the Digital Detox


After a few days of deleting social media, you will notice a remarkable change in yourself. Being more Happier energized, focused, and fulfilled. It feels like your life is more meaningful. As the days pass, you'll realize that social media is unnecessary and how significantly it affects your minds. The absence of social media will provide clarity, enabling you to focus on what truly matters and engage more meaningfully with the world around you.



Are You Bored Without Social Media?


If you're bored without social media, there are plenty of alternatives to explore. You can buy a book about a topic that interests you or listen to podcasts related to your areas of curiosity - many podcasts are free to access. Personally, I prefer paper books more because they allow me to cut off from the internet and digital devices completely. However, if you find it hard to focus on reading or listening to podcasts after an extended period and feel mentally drained, consider engaging in physical activity. Activities like lifting weights, doing calisthenics, hiking, swimming, practicing martial arts, or climbing can be excellent replacements for social media. Physical activities are especially helpful when you're feeling distracted and find it challenging to focus, providing a refreshing change from digital screens.




You're No Longer Mediocre


Overcoming social media addiction puts you on a path of self-improvement and personal growth. You are no longer part of the herd mindlessly scrolling through social media mediocre. You are on your way to becoming an active participant in your life, making conscious choices that contribute to your growth and development. You're rising while most people are still stuck on that loser path.



Conclusion


The journey to overcome social media addiction is a challenging one, but the rewards are worth every step. Embarking on this journey is a personal choice that requires commitment and determination. As you navigate this path, remember, that every step you take towards reclaiming your life from the clutches of social media is a step towards becoming a better version of yourself.


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Screen exists in the real world but the real world doesn't exist in the screen

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