Index IntroductionSocial Media Addiction and Its EffectsUnrealistic Life on Social MediaConclusionReferencesIntroductionSocial media is harmful. The way people communicate is constantly evolving and somehow we keep finding new ways to do it, without actually talking to each other. It all started with postcrossing, then came cell phones as heavy as bricks, suddenly the Internet became a reality, and communicating via SMS became easier. Today, when almost all people have access to the Internet, we use social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter and Snapchat to communicate, but is social media really that social? Indeed, social media promotes an unrealistic lifestyle that can often disconnect us from authentic interactions. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay Social Media Addiction and Its Effects Social media is addictive and changes who we are. With the growing popularity of social media platforms, some argue that real-life conversations are dying out. According to Sherry Turkle, professor of Social Studies of Science and Technology at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT, 2019), we can end up hiding from each other, even if we are all constantly connected to each other. We text and check social media as often as possible, letting our cell phones come between us and our daily lives. Without even realizing it, we distance ourselves from our surroundings, placing our attention wherever we want, just to constantly entertain ourselves. When we are constantly entertained and can choose where to put our attention, we come across as bored, ignorant, and disrespectful. While I would argue that this is not the case, social media is highly addictive and is designed to work similarly to crack cocaine. When you disclose information about yourself, as you do on social media, it strongly activates the part of your brain associated with dopamine, which is the pleasure center. The pleasant effect is multiplied as others interact with what you have posted. For every notification you receive, the dopamine hits keep coming. Even during important events like work meetings, your brain, accustomed to dopamine hits, knows that the notification could be someone engaging with what you posted and thus a dopamine rush, and makes you pick up the phone. Unrealistic Life on Social Media Social media contributes to unrealistic ideals and makes us insecure. I believe social media breeds insecurity. It creates a false reality and unattainable ideals. Whether it's body image issues, asset image issues, or any other issues you may have, they are all fueled by social media. Every photo on social media is carefully edited and filtered to appear as aesthetically pleasing as possible, setting unattainable standards for how you should look, dress and behave. These impossible standards are not only set by models and celebrities, but they are also set by your friends. On social media people tend to show only the best moments and highlights of their lives, pointing out the bad parts, difficulties and everyday life. According to Rae Jacobson, a writer and specialist in teen online behavior at the Child Mind Institute (CMI, 2019), those images cause anxiety and lead to depression, especially among young adults and teenagers. Please note: this is just an example. Get a custom paper from our expert writers now. Get a Custom Essay Conclusion, 2019