Nobody bats an eye at having a “social media addiction” anymore. In fact, it’s almost expected, given how much time we spend on apps like Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok. In today’s media landscape, who would be surprised if you wanted to spend all your time scrolling endlessly through these apps?
However, this doesn’t mean it’s no longer a problem, especially if you start to feel worse because of social media. If you notice that your mood turns instantly sour whenever you open Facebook or Instagram, this might indicate an issue with your social media usage.
There comes a time when you need to stop, and if you find that you relate to any of the five signs below, it might be time to take a breather and deactivate your accounts for a while.
1. You’re Spending Way Too Much Time
This is a tricky question because, honestly, everyone spends too much time on social media. It’s difficult to provide a meaningful answer to how much is “too much.” However, you might consider your tasks and responsibilities.
Are you struggling to keep up with your commitments? Do you stay up late because you’re watching YouTube videos or TikToks? Essentially, has social media taken up a disproportionate amount of your schedule? If so, that’s definitely a concern.
While it’s arguable that everyone is somewhat addicted to social media, if your usage starts to impact your quality of life, it might be time to reassess.
2. You Become Too Sad or Angry Because Of It
Referring to the “social” aspect of social media, you often encounter news or events from around the world, some of which can be sad or infuriating. Unfortunately, there is a lot of such news, both public and private, which can cause emotional distress and affect your mood significantly.
It’s important to stay informed, but if you’re overwhelmed by the negativity you see daily, it might be time for a break. If your emotions fluctuate too quickly on social media, consider taking a break.
3. You’re Overly Anxious While Using it
If social media triggers intense emotional responses, it may be a sign to step away. Sometimes, it’s not just the news that causes stress but also the pressure to present a perfect image of your life.
There is genuine pressure to showcase your life in the best possible light on social media, and this can become overwhelming. If you find that curating your profile feels more like a chore than an enjoyable activity, it might be time to reconsider your social media use.
4. You Feel Insecure After Using It
Building on the previous point, social media profiles often present a highly polished version of people’s lives, which can lead to insecurity. While understanding that social media isn’t real life is helpful, envy and jealousy don’t disappear easily. In the meantime, adopting the “out of sight, out of mind” approach can help reduce feelings of insecurity.
If social media consistently triggers these feelings, distancing yourself from it might be a good idea until you can better manage these emotions.
5. You Don’t Find It Fulfilling Anymore
You might realize this when you find yourself doomscrolling while lounging in bed. Sometimes, it takes a moment of mindfulness to recognize whether social media is actually bringing you joy.
This realization can be life-changing and even unsettling, leading you to want to escape those negative feelings by scrolling endlessly. But if you notice this feeling repeatedly, you might find yourself needing to step away from social media, even if just for a short period.
It’s difficult and impractical to suggest that everyone should quit social media entirely. The addictive nature of these platforms and their benefits for communication make it unreasonable to expect everyone to stop using them.
However, there comes a point when taking a break is necessary. If you identify with any of these signs, it might be time to deactivate your accounts temporarily and spend some time away from social media. Remember, too much of anything, even something beneficial, can become harmful. Stepping away from social media, even briefly, can be beneficial.
