Social media is changing how our brains are wired. From the dopamine receptors, to attention span, to learning resilience as children. While I understand that social media can help us connect with others, it also serves as a huge distraction to life. People currently use social media so much that we’re taking advantage of it – we don’t always realize the negative effects it plays on our lives. For example, I believe most apps were actually created to play into the natural human addiction response with the constant intake of dopamine from “likes” and immediate responses, but there is also an important role of the protection of a screen. I have been thinking about the current generation of children who are being raised on screens: if children start to view virtual connections the same as physical ones, they will lack the fundamental social skills that must be built from a young age because of the neuroplasticity of the brain. Dunbar says it best in Konnokova’s article, “In the sandpit of life, when somebody kicks sand in your face, you can’t get out of the sandpit. You have to deal with it, learn, compromise… On the internet, you can pull the plug and walk away” (5). If children cannot learn to process difficult situations now, they will have extreme trouble going about life with little to no resilience and problem solving skills. I have no idea how exactly children’s brains are being rewired due to tablets and phones, but it does make me worried for their generation as adults. Being aware of this, I make an effort to limit my screen time on social media as much as possible, but I believe it is vital to have balance between the ever-changing digital world and the physical world.
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