Instagram, TikTok and other apps are there for you in those boring moments where you are waiting for the bus and you desperately need some stimulation. That kind of connection to others can be a big boost - but experts tell Bustle that a lot of social media can also affect your mood.
The COVID pandemic made people extremely aware of this relationship.
Time on social media exploded accordingly: Bloomberg reported in March 2020 that both Twitter and Facebook saw huge increases in usage since the pandemic began. Facebook that reported 70% growth on its WhatsApp and Instagram platforms.
At the basic level, social media activates several areas of the brain at the same time.
"It activates parts of the brain similar to those used when you focus your attention on cognitive activities like reading or playing video games," says one expert, "so you can end up scrolling for hours."
Staying on social media can also affect the way your brain manages emotions and you may have felt this intensely over the past year. "Many people experienced sadness, anxiety, frustration and boredom during their quarantine or social distancing efforts," said Dr. Sanam Hafeez Psy.D, a neuropsychologist.
But social media can help your brain get through it. When you are engaging with posts that make you feel good, especially if you are communicating with someone you know directly, your brain can react by giving you a boost. "Joy coincides with the release of dopamine and serotonin in the body," says Hafeez. These neurotransmitters are associated with increased mood.
'Walking' around the world through news sources looking for the latest updates can also be bad for your brain. Doomscrolling, the University of London noted, could mean "feeling overwhelmed and overwhelmed by an uncontrolled stream of information". While it may seem like a way to stay informed,
A study published in 2021 on Neuron found another explanation why you can not stop scrolling. When you face the curiosity to learn more about bad news, the parts of your brain that encourage you to keep expanding. Even if the new information is making you feel bad, your brain preference is to know more instead of turning off the phone and doing something else.
But, social media has the potential to be used for good. Simply schedule an appointment to use the screen.
