How to Tackle Smartphone & Social Media Addiction While Preparing For Competitive Exams (NEET, JEE, SSC, CAT)

 What Is Social Media Addiction?

Social media addiction is the need to constantly check social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Snapchat and others. It has been linked to depression and other mental health issues. Smartphones have increased the accessibility of information and entertainment to the point where it is almost impossible to be without one. This has led people to become addicted to their phones, which can lead to a number of psychological problems. People are becoming increasingly addicted to their smartphones, and this addiction is not always a good thing. Smartphones make it easier for people to access information and entertainment, but they also make it easier for people to become addicted. Addiction can lead to a number of psychological problems that may not be obvious at first. People who are addicted may find themselves feeling depressed or anxious when they don't have access to their phone or experience symptoms such as fatigue or insomnia when they do have access.

How Can Digital Addiction Impact Your Life & Exam Preparation

Digital addiction is a growing concern in the modern society. It impacts students and professionals alike. In this section, we will discuss how it can impact your life and exam preparation.

1. Reduced Attention Spans: Social media addiction can lead to reduced attention span. The average attention span is 8 seconds. That's about the length of a single GIF. People are getting more used to shorter and shorter content. And social media platforms like Instagram, Snapchat, and Facebook are all competing for the same user engagement.
2. Impact On Memory & IQ: Social media addiction can lead to reduced IQ and memory. The more time a person spends on social media, the less intelligent they are. This is because they are not using their brain as much in order to process the information and therefore it becomes weaker. Their memory is also reduced because they are not taking in as much information from their surroundings. This results in them being less creative, intelligent, and even sociable due to lack of interaction with people in real life.
3. Wastage Of Time: We are living in the digital era and social media is a part of our lives. But it can also be the cause of time wastage. Social media addiction is a growing concern among many people. It is not just about how much time we spend on social media, but also about how we react to it. People who are addicted to social media tend to experience more stress, anxiety, and depression than those who are not addicted. This wastage of time will come out of the hours you have set aside for preparing and will eventually impact your end outcomes
4. Increased Anxiety: Increased anxiety and depression are both symptoms of social media addiction. Social media addicts may feel anxious when they are not using the platform, or after using the platform for long periods of time. They may experience feelings of sadness or guilt when they have to stop using the app, and this can lead to withdrawal symptoms such as headaches or nausea. People who are addicted to social media may also experience increased anxiety due to their fear that someone will post something that is embarrassing or humiliating about them, which leads them to spend more time on the app in order to avoid this from happening. In addition, people who are addicted may be constantly checking their phone in order to see. This adverse impact on your mindset can drastically impact your preparation. There are many cases of students who are unable to focus on their studies due to the increased digital stimulus they receive from the internet

How To Combat Digital Addiction & Change The Course Of Your Exam Preparation

We will discuss some of the ways in which students can tackle digital addiction. These methods have been tried and tested and are known to be highly effective.

1. Start By Acknowledging That You Have A Problem: It is important to be aware of the problem you are experiencing and to know when it's time to take a break. It can be difficult for people to realize that they have a problem, but if you feel like your life is being consumed by social media, then it's time for change. The first step to solving this is by accepting that it is an issue and realizing the impact it is having on your current state as well as future
2. Plan A Specific Time Of The Day (~30 Mins) Where You Are Allowed To Access Social Media: Give yourself 30 mins - 1 hour daily to access social media or your smart phone for entertainment and stick to this plan. Track your usage patterns over a few weeks and course correct on the days where you spent more time than what you had set aside
3. Consume Yourself In Activities Which Actually Benefit Your Career & Health: By shifting focus in life from entertainment / junk food for the brain to actual study / workout / meditation you will be able to entirely consume your mind towards productive pursuits in life
4. Seek Professional Help: The first step in the process of seeking professional help is admitting that you have a problem. The next step would be finding a therapist or counselor who specializes in social media addiction. A therapist can help you with the process of quitting social media and will also give you tools to help stay away from it after treatment. Social media addiction can lead to isolation, depression, and anxiety because people are spending so much time on their screens instead of interacting with people in real life.