Facebook Fatigue Is A Thing And It’s Why So Many People Want To Do A Social Media Detox

While the internet, and social media by extension, are incredible tools for connecting people, when should you call it quits?

Honorary associate at Macquarie University Dr Kristy Goodwin says people are becoming increasingly frustrated and infuriated with social media.

“Some people as a result are electing to disconnect or deactivate their profile, even for a short amount of time,” she told the ABC.

It’s common for teenagers to find it hard to “switch off” from Facebook, according to Dr Goodwin. It’s not just young people though; even adults spend at least an hour a day on Facebook alone.

“Social media, in most instances, is a pleasurable experience, so our brain secretes neurotransmitter dopamine… we get that instance of feeling good,” she explained. It’s the start of a new year, which means three words: New Year’s resolutions.

If a social media detox is part of your mission for 2017, Dr Goodwin advises rather than going “cold turkey” and trying to stop using social media altogether, use it as you would garden fertiliser.

By that, she means use a little bit, and the right type, at the right time of the day.

For those who grew up with social media, so much of our relationship with it becomes almost “naturalised”, as in, we don’t consciously think about how we use it and what we necessarily gain from it.

Dr Goodwin said platforms, like Facebook, satisfy three “psychological human desires”.

Firstly, the need to feel connected. Social media networks literally connect you to friends and family; us humans like to feel as though we belong, and social media gives us that opportunity.

Secondly, the need to feel competent. Scroll through any feed, be it Facebook or Instagram, chances are you’re just seeing people’s “highlight reel”. We don’t usually tend to post about our trials and tribulations; rather the celebratory, happy, fluffy stuff.

Thirdly, control. We like to have a good sense of control over what we’re doing and sharing, and thankfully, we’re able to do that on social media. To some extent. Tools like privacy settings, blocking and reporting all feed into this human desire.

Twitter detox. Too much time on social media stealing time from people we love that we may not see tomorrow.

— I am...Amanda Miller (@missmiller2ya) 24 December 2016

Dr Goodwin believes parents should delay the introduction of social applications to children. “If kids don’t have the skills to be able to interpret what they see on social media and recognise that it is the A-roll footage, it can undermine their anxiety levels,” she explained.

On a rather grim and bleak note, the professor warns how excessive use of social media can cause one to develop narcissistic tendencies.

Yikes.

Photo: iStock