Impact of Social Media on the Human Brain

We are as generation Z grew up exposed to the internet from a very young age. Social media was introduced in the revolutionary digital age to connect humans online. Fast forward to today, we have various forms of information in the palm of our hands. The ability to access apps specific to each individual’s own needs is possible within a few seconds, an idea that once used to be so foreign. If humans had the power to revive the dead and a guy from the 1800s could see how futuristic the world already is, he wouldn’t believe his eyes.

Following Facebook’s launch, media platforms such as Instagram, X formerly known as Twitter, and TikTok have taken over the digital world by storm. Whether it's youtube shorts. Titkoks or reels, regardless of the age group every person is hooked to their phone unable to move their eyes from the screen.

Initially, the purpose of these apps was to post pictures, write captions, and text our friends, but the objective of a ‘digital connection’ has evolved since then. Personal branding, marketing, and promoting through short-form content are what these social media platforms are being used for. In this digital age, you can achieve financial freedom by endorsing brand deals through Instagram content creation opportunities. A few years ago, the thought of earning from 15-second videos seemed like a joke. Thanks to social media, for making it possible, however, the freedom to engage and produce authentic content has impacted everyone both positively and negatively.

The human brain is a complex organ, it can adapt and change according to its environment. Even though people consider social media platforms as simply just tools, constant engagement with these platforms has affected our mental health significantly. Modern research proves its regular usage can lead to changes in our cognitive development, function, and brain structure. Here’s how our mind is being impacted by social media:

Attention Span:

According to Data Reportal an average person spends more than two hours every day on social media. Due to the endless stream of content right at our fingertips, refreshing for constant new information, opening multiple tabs, and getting notification alerts every other minute, our brain is forced to stay in a uniform multi-tasking mode. Each platform is trying to compete for our attention, promising us new content. Unable to focus on one task, our attention span shrinks. Not only does this affect the cognitive function of our brain but also alters the neuroplasticity that includes the ability to pay attention.

Reward System:

Have you ever wondered why social media is so addicting? Why do we want to keep scrolling and not stop? Psychologists claim social media is linked to the brain’s reward system. A neurotransmitter called dopamine is responsible for seeking pleasure, motivation, and satisfaction. Social media traps our mind in a never-ending dopamine-induced loop as described by Susan Weinschenk from The Team W Blog. This leads to addiction, similar to gambling or drug abuse due to the nature of social media providing instant rewards and gratification.

Over stimulation:

Spending too much time on social media and consumption of constant streams of information has led to a digital overload. It can cause over stimulation making us irritable, and fatigued with regular headaches. This sensory overload leaves us overwhelmed, unable to process too much information all at once. Not only can it add to depression and anxiety but also cause sleep problems and high blood pressure.

Memory Storage:

An experiment was conducted to see how social media affects our transactive memory. Two groups of people were asked to attend an event, one group was told to live in the moment while the other one had to click pictures and videos. Participants who recorded the event couldn’t recall large chunks of what happened due to their brain knowing that the received information was being stored elsewhere. The human mind can store or discard memories and this function can be negatively impacted by heavy social media usage.

We must limit our screen time and be comfortable in silence. Constant stimulation is hindering our capabilities to perform at our best negatively affecting not only our mental but also our physical health. Moderation is the key.