Hooked, Hyped, and Hyperconnected
The Psychology Behind Social Media and How It Shapes Us
At an age where digital connections define much of what we term our social fabric, social media is now a part of our lives. By 2025, an estimated 5.24 billion people - 64% of the world's population, actively uses sites such as Facebook, YouTube, and Instagram. No one can deny that these platforms have undoubtedly transformed communication, providing us, for the first time in human history, with instant access to information and a connection to the world at large.
But their popularity among the masses demands rightful inquiries into their psychological effects on human behaviour and cognition. Their effect on behaviour, cognitive processes, narcissism, and critical thinking is tremendous and growingly concerning. Stay with me and lets explore now this subject in greater detail!
The Ubiquity of Social Media
The extent of social media is absolutely staggering. With more than 3.15 billion active monthly Facebook users, 2.5 billion users of YouTube, and 2 billion users of Instagram, these websites hold a commanding presence in worldwide communications. TikTok, with more than 1 billion users, showcases the acceleration of short-form video content. On average, individuals spend 2 hours and 21 minutes per day on social media and utilize approximately 6.8 sites per month!
With such a widespread use of social media, it is clearly a necessity to learn about its psychological influence as it certainly affects not only our relationships but also the very processes in which we think and behave.
Behavioural Impacts of Social Media
Social media radically changes people's behaviour in a way that many times people prioritize virtual interaction over in-person interaction.
Do not forget, that the design of these sites triggers the release of dopamine in the reward centre of the brain, which results in addictive behaviour.
Let’s be crystal clear, the majority of people on social media seek validation in likes, shares, and comments. We all know this feeling, and we all craved for more at some point. But if left unchecked, this “quest” can descend into anxiety and depression, especially when people are comparing their lives to the curated profiles of others.
A 2018 British study established a connection between social media use and disturbed sleep, which has been associated with depression, memory loss, and poor academic performance. The tension of constant online engagement can also cause physical symptoms, such as headaches and nausea.
Let us assume, for a brief moment, that us adults can have command over our interactions. What happens with adolescents?
The absence of non-verbal communication online can impinge on their people skills development, rendering face-to-face interaction more difficult and stressful.
To add to this, Fear of Missing Out (FOMO) worsens these problems, when users worry that they are missing out on online experiences. A study by the University of Pennsylvania in 2018 discovered that by limiting social media usage to 10 minutes a day per platform, it lessened loneliness and depression, which shows the usefulness of moderation.
Cognitive Effects: A Mixed Picture
The impact of social media on cognition is more uncertain, with research yielding mixed findings. But I think it is obvious - as some studies suggest, that overuse damages attention and multitasking ability, as the frequent stream of notifications competes for attention. Over-users also perform worse on cognitive attention tests, requiring greater effort to focus in the face of distractions.
Yet, other research demonstrates that there is no significant impact on cognitive processes such as working memory or inhibition. One article on ScienceDirect, which involved 70 subjects, discovered no link between social media use and the capacity to filter out irrelevant information or to sustain working memory. This indicates that whereas short-term attention is impacted, longer cognitive processes can be unaffected.
To my mind, adolescents are a particular worry, as their brains are still developing and therefore may be more malleable.
A study at UNC-Chapel Hill determined that frequent social media checking is associated with greater sensitivity to social reward and penalty, which may influence neural development. Longitudinal research is needed to determine the full impact of these effects, particularly as social media use becomes further embedded in adolescent culture.
The Rise of Narcissism
Once more, we come to the ever-present issue of mental illness that haunts our society: narcissism.
The self-presentation focus of social media is increasing prevalence of narcissism, especially in young people. Platforms such as Instagram and Facebook offer an avenue for people to portray idealized selves, feeding their narcissistic inclinations.
Studies consistently connect grandiose narcissism - which is distinguished by an exaggerated sense of self, with problematic social media use.
As stated in a report by Newport Institute, over 10% of people in their 20s are discovered to be sub clinically narcissistic, and social media has been named as a reason. Selfie culture and post-filtering promote narcissism as self-aggrandizement is rewarded, becoming a troubling trend. What, then, happens to humility and community?
Critical Thinking: Opportunity and Challenge
The impact of social media on critical thinking is akin to a double-edged sword. On one side, it unveils a world of diverse perspectives, nurturing open-mindedness and the possibility of nuanced understanding. Yet, on the flip side, the social media algorithms construct echo chambers, cocooning users in content that merely reinforces their existing beliefs, stifling any critical engagement.
After all, behind the social media, we have the businesses who want to increase engagement and profit …
A study by MIT Sloan discovered that people with analytical mindsets apply more discernment in their social media usage, posting from reliable sources and discussing more significant matters.
Media literacy education is essential, particularly among youth, to be in a position to negotiate the information space and establish sound critical thinking skills.
Balancing Concerns and Opportunities
Many have spoken out about their concerns over the impact of social media, specifically the perception that certain political viewpoints are being censored. A 2020 survey done by the Pew Research Center found that 90% of Republicans believe that social media companies censor unwanted political opinions. This has led to ongoing debates over free speech and the biases of these platforms, with some calling for regulatory measures to ensure fair and transparent treatment for all users. But who is going to regulate the platforms and how? That’s a topic for another article …
What concerns me, is the impact of social media on younger users. Some policymakers proposed an increase in the minimum age of participation from 13 to 16 to further protect mental health, something that I personally agree. The proposal reflects broader values that favour family and community, along with the need to protect young minds from harmful online influences.
Social media is an efficacious vehicle for conveying traditional values, conducting solemn discussions, and creating communities based on common beliefs, while emphasizing its position as a means of positive cultural and societal engagement.
Conclusion: Navigating the Digital Landscape
Social media is a powerful phenomenon, capable of enhancing and challenging our mental wellbeing.
However, its influence on behaviour, ranging from validation-seeking to sleep disturbance, highlights the need for careful usage. Although cognitive effects are indeterminate – I doubt about the validity of such claims, concerns regarding attention and adolescent brain development must be researched.
The link with narcissism hints at cultural change toward self-preoccupation, and critical thinking requires active effort in overcoming algorithmic bias.
To me, social media embodies both promise and peril. Censorship is a concern, indeed, but the vast audience the platforms provide is an opportunity to share values and engage in substantive discussion. If critical thinking and media literacy are embraced, the advantages of social media can be reaped while its dangers are sidestepped, making the online environment conducive to mental health and authentic relationships.
Such a thoughtful, balanced piece! You’ve nailed the tension between the promises and pitfalls of social media, especially loved your call for media literacy and genuine connection. A much-needed reminder in our screen-saturated world.