Written By Devon Sweeney
Account Executive
As a 22-year-old member of Gen Z, I’ve had a social media presence for as long as I can remember–literally. I posted my photos on Instagram and added friends on Snapchat when I was nine, using my first iPod Touch. As I grew, so did my screen time and social media usage. I am the first to admit that I became incredibly addicted. In the past four years, my screen time has averaged around 4.5 hours per day, and I know I am not alone. According to a survey conducted in the United States in 2022, around eight percent of teenagers in the United States spent over five hours a day on TikTok, whereas another 22 percent reported spending between two and three hours daily on the video-based app.
As a communications major, I’ve learned a lot about the effects of social media, from both a professional and personal perspective. Studies show how platforms leverage human psychology to keep us scrolling, and I’ve seen those impacts firsthand. I’d catch myself craving dopamine surges from notifications and would scroll endlessly, which took a toll on my mental health. The constant comparisons to strangers’ lives, appearances, and accomplishments became exhausting. After realizing these patterns, I decided I had to make a change.
As of March 2024, 35% of adults in the United States report having taken an extended break from social media because of the negative impact on their mental health. Since last spring, I’ve joined this percentage and now take regular “social media cleanses” or “dopamine detoxes”. I’ve deleted TikTok for months at a time and taken breaks from Instagram. At first, I instinctively reached for my phone, only to remember the apps weren’t there. But the difference was incredible. Without those quick-hit distractions, I engaged with things that felt more fulfilling, like reading, watching movies, or just spending time offline with those around me.
I know social media is crucial to the industry. I do not plan to delete it permanently, as it’s essential for staying connected and up-to-date in my field. However, I have learned how vital these breaks are for my mental well-being, and I intend to keep them as part of my routine moving forward.
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