Introduction
We all use social media a lot these days. Not a day passes by when you don't use social media. We often use multiple social media apps in our everyday lives like Reddit, Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat etc. If we notice it, we would realise that we're using them almost every day without missing them. Sometimes we would use them for hours together and some people spend almost their whole day on social media. Ever wondered why this happens? Let's explore why today.
Reasons
Peer pressure
If you go to a new school or a university, you'll be meeting a lot of new people and most of the people will have apps like Instagram and Snapchat. If you want to mingle with them more, you'll have to use these apps to keep in touch with them. So you're kind of forced to use social media
Seeking Validation
Since social media is booming currently, there are a lot of people on it and Social media kind of encourages you to share your moments and photos on the platform. People will eventually learn to seek validation from others and do many things to get likes and followers. Social media makes you do this so that you're more glued to your screen
Short Form Video Content
With the rise of platforms like TikTok, Short Form video content has become a very popular form of media. Many social media platforms like Instagram and Youtube have introduced their own short form video content in the form of Reels and Shorts. These short content videos are designed to hook you in and make you spend more time on the app. They provide infinite scrolling and they show you the content thats based on your interests.
Addictive UI
If you've noticed the design of Facebook and Instagram, you'll notice that their user interface kind of looks and feels very satisfying and snappy to use. They do this to encourage people to use the app more and be more attracted to it.
Features To Make You Login Everyday
Platforms like Snapchat have features like streaks where you have to login everyday and send snaps to people to maintain your streak. This is very addictive in nature and will keep people hooked for a long time.
By Creating Fear Of Missing Out
FOMO or Fear Of Missing Out is a feeling where one fears about not getting updates and missing out on events and updates that happen on social media. Since the user base on social media is huge and people like to post their updates a lot, a non-social media user will be left with very less knowledge about what's happening in their friends' lives. People who follow them on social media will know their updates where as people who don't will be alienated and left behind. This creates a necessity to use social media and the platform will eventually reel you in with their content.
What Do Social Media Companies Get Out Of This?
Good question. In the world of Social Media, your data is the money. The more data you give, the more they can profit off by showing you relevant ads. And making you spend more time on social media will help them show you more ads and make more money. Simple as that.
My Thoughts
I've personally maintained my distance from Social Media since the start. The only social media platforms that I currently use are Reddit, Instagram (for chats only) and Youtube. I've seen all this manipulation from miles away and maintained my distance from these platforms.
It's not a good idea to get hooked on social media because there's only entry and no way to exit it. It takes a lot of struggle and sacrifice to get off social media once you're in. You have to sacrifice your friends , messages, posts etc all to save your time and mental health. Social Media platforms also hide the delete account buttons and make it harder for you to leave the platform. They do all kinds of effort to keep you on the platform.
So it's a good idea to limit your social media usage and stay away from apps like Snapchat which are purely manipulative.