Dr. Suresh Kumar Murugesan presented on social media addiction. He discussed that social media can be addicting due to dopamine release in the brain when using social media and getting positive feedback. However, overuse of social media can negatively impact mental health and relationships. Signs of social media addiction include negative effects on work or school, increased use during other activities, and withdrawal symptoms when not using social media. Ways to decrease social media use include deleting apps, limiting notifications, setting time limits, and prioritizing in-person interactions.

1. Social Media Addiction
Dr.Suresh Kumar Murugesan PhD
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2. About the Presenter
● Dr.Suresh Kumar Murugesan is a passionate Professor, Researcher
and Positive Cyber Psychologist from Madurai, Tamil Nadu, India
● At present he is Heading the department of Psychology, The
American College, Madurai and Adjunct Professor of School of
Behavioural Sciences and Education at TAU
● He is very keen in learning new research studies in behavioural
Sciences and open to learn.
● His ultimate aim is to make impression in the field of Knowledge
● His area of specializations are Psychometry, Positive
Psychotherapy
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3. Disclaimer
● This presentation is prepared for learning
purpose only and all the images and pictures
used in this presentation are taken from google
image search.
● Due recognition was given to all the material
collected from the various sources.
● Any name or reference is missed kindly bring it to
the notice of the presenter for inclusion.
● Email - sureshkumar800@yahoo.com Thank you
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4. Questions? 1. Am I addicted to social media?
2. Why is social media so addicting?
3. Is social media addiction really harmful?
4. When and where to get help for addiction?
5. How to come out from social media addiction?
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6. Social Media
Social media is a computer-based
technology that facilitates the sharing of
ideas, thoughts, and information through the
building of virtual networks and communities
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7. Positive Aspects of
Social Media
● The opportunity to discover new friends and
communities online
● The ability to stay in touch with friends and family
around the world
● The ability to raise awareness of important issues
and worthwhile causes
● The ability to give and receive emotional support
● The opportunity to find an outlet for creativity and
self-expression
● Access to valuable, credible information and
resources
● Social media is particularly valuable in times where face-to-
face interaction isn’t safe, and to people who live in remote
areas, are unable to engage with others due to social
anxiety, or who are part of a marginalized, disenfranchised
group. However, these positive aspects can benefit anyone
who uses these platforms.
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8. Negative Aspects of
Social Media
● Social media’s positive aspects may seem
promising, but these platforms may have a long-term
on our mental health. In addition, many people
engage in dangerous or hateful activities on social
media, contributing to feelings of depression,
anxiety, and isolation.
● Some of the most negative aspects of social media
include the following.
○ Feelings of Inadequacy and FOMO
○ Depression, Anxiety, and Isolation
○ Cyberbullying
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9. Feelings of
Inadequacy
● Since people tend to share only the
highlights of their lives on social
media, these platforms can skew our
feelings about ourselves.
● A constant barrage of content from
other people who seem to be living a
better life than we do or have a more
conventionally attractive
appearance can impact our mental
health.
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10. FOMO
These feelings can also contribute to the fear of missing out, or FOMO. While
FOMO is not a new phenomenon, seeing others enjoying events or living a
more “exciting” life can trigger feelings of anxiety and low self-esteem — and
may compel us to pick up the phone more often.
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11. Depression, Anxiety, and
Isolation
● Face-to-face interaction is very important for our
mental wellbeing. Consistently prioritizing social
media and digital interaction over seeing other
people can exacerbate mental health conditions
such as depression and anxiety.
● High social media usage may also increase feelings
of loneliness and isolation, while less digital
interaction lowers these feelings and improves our
overall mental health.
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12. Cyberbullying ● Cyberbullying is a major problem on social media, with
approximately 59% of teenagers reporting that they have
been bullied on these platforms.
● From spreading rumors to leaving offensive, hurtful
comments, social media can create very toxic
environments.
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13. Social Media Addiction
Social media addiction is defined as compulsive and excessive use of social
media (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Snapchat) even when use of those
platforms is taking over our life and having a negative effect on our ‘real life’
and relationships.
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14. Why is social media so addicting?
● While social media can seem like mindless and relaxing fun, it actually
has a significant effect on our brain.
● Whenever we log on to our favorite apps, dopamine signals in our brain
increase. These neurotransmitters are associated with pleasure.
● When we experience more dopamine after using social media, our
brain identifies this activity as a rewarding one that ought to repeat.
Such a reaction may be more felt whenever we make a post of our own
and gain positive feedback.
● The positive feelings experienced during social media use are only temporary.
The way our brain engages in this positive reinforcement is also seen in other
addictions.
● Thus, as the feel-good dopamine wears off, we’ll go back to the source (in this
case, social media) for more.
● In some cases, social media can be a welcome distraction if we’re isolated due
to work or an illness. The more we engage, the more our brain will tell us that
this is an activity that can help reduce loneliness (which may not necessarily be
the case, actually).
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15. 1 2 3
What Causes Social Media Addiction?
Addictiveness Stress & Self-Esteem Social Anxiety
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16. What are the downsides of
social media addiction?
Some possible downsides of social media include:
● low self-esteem, which may be prompted by incorrect
perceptions that others’ lives are “better” than ours
● increased isolation and loneliness
● anxiety or depression
● onset of social anxiety disorder
● a fear of missing out (FOMO), which can lead to even more social
media usage
● disrupted sleep patterns, especially if we use social media right
before bedtime
● decreased physical activity, which may affect our overall health
● poor grades or work performance
● ignoring the relationships in your “real” life
● reduced ability to empathize with others
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17. How do we know if we have
social media addiction?
A professional can help us determine whether we truly have social
media addiction or just really enjoy using it a lot.
But there are a few key differences between social media addiction
and a habit that we enjoy. These include:
● negative effects to our job or school work due to the overuse
of social media (e.g., scrolling through our apps at work or
instead of studying)
● increased use during other activities, such as hanging out with
friends and family, or while eating
● increased reliance on social media as a way to cope with problems
● restlessness and irritability whenever we’re not using social media
● anger whenever social media usage is reduced
● thinking about social media whenever we aren’t using it, so much
so that it’s the first thing we turn to whenever we have the
opportunity
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18. How can we decrease
social media use?
Consider the following tips to help us achieve a healthier balance with social
media:
● Delete social media apps from smartphone. While we can still access them
from our personal computer,
● keeping them off apps in our phone may help decrease the amount of time
spent on social media overall.
● Turn off our personal phone during work, as well as during school, meals,
and recreational activities.
● We can also adjust the setting on each social media app so we can turn off certain
notifications.
● Set aside a certain amount of time dedicated to social media per day.
● Turn on a timer to help keep us accountable.
● Leave our phone, tablet, and computer out of our bedroom.
● Take up a new hobby that’s not technology-related. Examples include sports, art,
cooking classes, and more.
● Make it a point to see our friends and family in person when possible.
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19. Reference
1. Kristeen Cherney (August 6, 2020). What Is Social Media
Addiction? https://www.healthline.com/health/social-media-
addiction#how-is-it-addicting
2. https://webserv.io/what-is-social-media-addiction/