After I completed the Social Media Disorder scale, I was kind of surprised by my score. I only said “yes” to one of the questions. The question that I said yes to was about displacement. Regularly neglected other activities because of wanting to use social media. I wouldn’t necessarily say I was neglecting other activities more so of procrastinating certain things by using social media instead. I was thinking about the other items on the scale and how they didn’t really apply to me. So, I guess I’m doing okay in terms of balancing it all. It’s interesting to think about how other people might answer, especially if they feel a stronger pull toward social media, or if it causes them distress. I wonder if my minimal response is because I have better control over my usage, or maybe it’s just not something I rely on as much as others might.

I was thinking about the other items on the scale and how they didn’t really apply to me. So, I guess I’m doing okay in terms of balancing it all. It’s interesting to think about how other people might answer, especially if they feel a stronger pull toward social media, or if it causes them distress. I wonder if my minimal response is because I have better control over my usage, or maybe it’s just not something I rely on as much as others might.

I think this also made me realize that social media can be a tool, but it’s easy to see how it could turn into something unhealthy if not managed. It’s not inherently bad, but it’s easy to lose track if you don’t pay attention. I feel pretty good about my relationship with it for now, but it’s something I should keep an eye on.

Social media use and its potential for causing distress or disorder can vary greatly across cultures and regions for several reasons. In some cultures, there is a stronger emphasis on face-to-face interactions, which may limit the amount of time individuals spend on social media, while in others, social media may be more integrated into daily life. The availability of smartphones and internet connectivity can influence how much people rely on social media, with urban areas tending to have higher levels of engagement. Different regions may have varying levels of awareness and stigma surrounding mental health, which could affect how people perceive their relationship with social media. The types of platforms that are popular in different regions (e.g., Instagram vs. WeChat) can also impact the way users engage with social media