After taking the Social Media Disorder scale, I scored in the risky usage range, which honestly didn’t shock me. I wouldn’t say that I’m addicted, but I definitely catch myself going on social media without even thinking, especially when I’m bored or just trying to distract myself from something (“doom scrolling”). It kind of made me realize how automatic it’s become, like it’s just part of my daily routine at this point. 

I    think the items on the scale were really accurate and called me out a little. The questions about using social media to escape or feeling irritated when you can’t check it stood out the most to me. Those feel super normal now, but when you actually think about it, it’s concerning how normalized that behavior is. 

I    believe different patterns exist across the world because of culture, access to technology, and lifestyle differences. Some places rely heavily on social media for communication and entertainment, while others don’t use it as much. Your environment and what’s considered “normal” around you definitely shapes how you use it.