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Studying Our Struggles with Social Media Detox
Researchers are taking social media addiction seriously and studying techniques to help us overcome withdrawal so we can take back control of our lives
Spurred by curiosity and imagination, our compulsive need to create, improve, advance, and push our skills and ideas to the brink is arguably one of humankind’s best and worst attributes. As such, the things we create using our innovation result in some of the most incredible and terrifying outcomes — sometimes both in the same invention.
Take social media, for example. Although it has only existed for a few decades, social media has transformed our global society. The invention remade how we think of and form relationships by opening instant communication pathways across vast distances. Our connections with others are no longer limited to only those within our physical radius, such as neighbors, coworkers, or schoolmates.
However, social media can also distract us from real life and negatively impact our mental health. Its addictive nature makes it challenging to limit our use and can lead to feeling drained or pressured to be constantly “on.” Add in all the culture wars in society and growing levels of disinformation today, and many people are starting to…