This archive report was first published on 23 July 2019.
As of 2019, the estimated world population of 7.7 billion has 3.1 billion people actively engaged in various social media platforms. This staggering figure poses a significant risk, with approximately 50% of the population at risk of becoming social media addicts and suffering from its untold consequences.
Research suggests that frequent interaction with social media can lead to addiction consequences far greater than those of alcohol, cigarettes, and drugs combined. To address this growing concern, several approaches can be employed to tame the explosion of social media addiction.
One such approach is through personal initiatives. Social media platforms are readily accessible 24/7, unlike alcohol, which may not be accessible in public places, or drugs, which are consumed in secrecy. Some individuals get online as soon as they wake up, during inactive moments, before sleeping, and when tackling insomnia. Others would rather miss meals and face-to-face interactions than keep away from their mobile phones.
Developing self-discipline initiatives, such as scheduling social media times, switching off unnecessary applications, and engaging in enriching social activities, can help avert the dangers of the ongoing and forthcoming internet pandemic.
Workplace programmes are also essential in addressing social media addiction. With free internet access at workplaces, some employees squander productive time roaming from one social media platform to another. Employers should declare excessive social media engagements as a workplace disaster and address it through awareness creation programmes.
Parental styles changes are also crucial in addressing social media addiction. Family lifestyles have not been spared from the menace of internet-sponsored interactions. Parents, who themselves may be addicted to social media, should impose negotiated restrictions on children's internet usage.
Religious institutions have a role to play in addressing social media addiction. Most internet content exposed to followers breaks all the rules that religion is expected to champion. When the ugly face of the internet causes high social addition casualties, the spiritual establishments will only lay blame on satanic forces. It is time the religious community stepped in to inform followers of the consequences of uncontrolled social media usage.
Finally, a review of media legislation is necessary to address the raging social media issues. The current legislation on telecommunications has mainly focused on the communications infrastructure and service delivery without regard to its effects on users. The government has a social responsibility to review the current legislation to address the effects on national productivity.
As a human resource development consultant, Samson Osero emphasizes the need for awareness creation programmes and negotiated restrictions on children's internet usage to address social media addiction.
