Social networks have become an inseparable part of modern life. However, scientists warn that behind these platforms lies a complex psychology that negatively affects human mental health. As reported by UnHerd, social media operates on the same principle as a casino — an endless news feed, various videos, and nonstop content keep the human brain in a “pleasant illusion.”
The most dangerous aspect of this illusion is that we lose our ability to feel time correctly. An hour of scrolling feels like just a few minutes, yet in real life, that hour can never be recovered. Scientists believe that this condition disrupts a person’s perception of time — the present disappears, while the past remains vague in memory. Many people cannot even recall exactly how long they spend on social media. This is not accidental. Scientific studies show that social media weakens both short-term and long-term memory. As a result, people remember not the content itself, but only the emotions it caused. Scientists call this phenomenon a “time illusion.” In other words, a person lives in virtual reality, perceiving existence through the rapid flow of news feeds. But this feed never ends — it has neither a beginning nor an end. Therefore, the brain loses the logical chain of events and begins to process only a scattered stream of information.
In such an environment, mental fatigue and lack of attention are natural consequences. Psychologists emphasize that the inability to focus, feelings of anxiety, and inner emptiness are signs of excessive dependence on social media.
What can be done? Experts offer several practical recommendations. First, limit the time spent on social media. This can be monitored using the “Screen Time” feature on your phone. Setting a daily limit gives your brain a “forced rest.” Second, take a complete break from social networks for a certain period. Studies show that people who spend several weeks without the internet experience improved mental health, better sleep, and reduced mental distraction. They begin to feel time again in its real rhythm.
Psychologists also advise paying attention to another point: to feel life longer, one must not simply scroll, but live with conscious actions. For instance, putting the phone down, looking around, connecting with nature, reading a book, or talking with loved ones — all these actions return a person to real life and help the brain recover.
The greatest problem of our time is the loss of the sense of time. Therefore, temporary disconnection from social media means reconnecting with life. A short-term break from the virtual world can bring major changes in real life. It is not only rest for the brain but also true freedom for the soul.
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