5 Psychological Problems Derived From The Misuse Of Social Networks
In recent years, many of the people who attend psychotherapy present dysfunctional behavioral habits in the use of social networks.
This is partly because these digital platforms have become rapidly popular in the last 15 years, but this is not the only cause. The very design and mechanics of social networks also contribute to a large part of their users getting carried away by the experience and acting from a counterproductive irrationality. That’s why, In this article we will see a series of problems derived from poor use of social networks such as Instagram, Twitter, Facebook or TikTok.
The 5 main psychological problems associated with the misuse of social networks
Social networks have become another element of the daily lives of millions of people. In a world in which the border between the digital and the material is increasingly less clear due to the omnipresence of the Internet, smartphones and computers and tablets, the opposite would be strange, if these virtual platforms were barely used.
And phenomena such as Facebook, Instagram or TikTok take advantage of the incredible potential of the digital world when it comes to developing varied functionalities and adapting quickly to circumstances, on the one hand, and the fact of having a lot of information about users who navigate between their pages, on the other.
The result is that there are those who see in these digital platforms something that is difficult to “disengage” from. even if it’s for half an hour. And the thing is that, to a certain extent, social networks are not made to help their users solve problems and satisfy needs that exist beyond the screens, but rather they are designed to constantly capture the attention of those who use them, making it difficult for disconnect. That is, they propose solutions to some problems they create, at least for people with certain psychological predispositions.
Taking the above into account, here we will see what psychological problems arise from misuse of social networks. Of course, these are not mental disorders, but simply dysfunctional behavior patterns, which may or may not be part of psychopathologies with other symptoms apart from these.
1. Limit social interactions to the digital world
Some people almost completely replace meaningful social interactions with social interactions on social networks, whether chatting, leaving comments, etc. Over time, this disconnection from face-to-face interactions leads to the emergence of other problems, such as fear of meeting new people in person, adopting an excessively sedentary lifestyle, inexperience in using social skills, etc.
This is a problem that can especially affect those who are predisposed to introversion as a personality trait.
2. Poor time management due to distractions
One of the characteristics of social networks is that second by second they offer different content adapted to the preferences of each user. Therefore, it is easy to lose track of time when using them, and this makes some people get used to using their breaks to use them, only to realize that they have lost too many minutes or hours of work, study, etc.
3. Use of social networks to try to gain popularity at all costs
Most social networks offer a lot of visibility to a series of users who are seen as references in these virtual spaces: influencers, opinion leaders, etc. This approach causes some users to feel pushed to seek the attention of others at almost any price, dedicating a large part of their free time to it and even committing recklessness just to receive likes and comments.
4. Use of social networks so as not to miss anything
Another of the mechanics that social networks use is to raise the need to be aware of everything that happens minute by minute. In fact, many people use these digital platforms for hours not so much out of curiosity as out of fear of being “out of date” in a certain social circle.
5. Use social media to try to cheer yourself up
A curious effect that social networks have on many people is that some users use them for a long time when they feel sad or anxious, scrolling simply to see what the network offers them and forget about the rest. The problem is that since these digital platforms mostly show idealized lives, this can cause people to end up feeling worse without realizing it.
Are you looking for professional psychological assistance?
If you are interested in having psychological support from mental health professionals, contact our team. In Advance Psychologists We have been caring for people with all types of emotional discomfort, behavioral problems or aspects to improve in their way of interacting with the environment and with others for two decades. Among these are inappropriate habits of using social networks and difficulties in limiting their use: we carry out psychological treatment to prevent these digital platforms from taking control of your life.
We currently offer psychotherapy for people of all ages, couples therapy, family therapy, coaching, and psychiatric and neuropsychological care. You will find us in our center located in Madrid, and also through the online therapy modality (carried out through a video call program). To see our contact information, go to this page.
