Since the release of advanced smartphones, they seem to have gained worldwide popularity. But has this so called ‘smartphone craze‘ fueled a social media addiction? This blog will cover the impact of mobile devices and the arguments surrounding this issue.
How do Smartphones Benefit Social Media?
Ever since the launch of both iPhone and android, the landscape of mobile phones changed enormously. Smartphones have become increasingly popular and far more technologically advanced, particularly in terms of their capabilities.
One major breakthrough was the innovative creation of the App- short for application (See BBC WebWise). These are programmed to enable fast and easy access to things like social media and other useful functions. This enhanced the virtual world of communication as it led to the creation of social media apps for sites like Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, etc. This meant that social media could excel with the popularity of the iPhone.
Smartphones have not only developed basic phone features, but have also integrated the internet into one small mobile device. With this capability, it has enabled apps to run on 3G or Wi-Fi. In terms of social media, this is great!
It means that we can:
- Access our social media accounts wherever we are, whether we be at home or on the go
- Access social media quickly and efficiently
- Keep connected with distant friends/ relatives by sending messages via social media apps for free
These show how mobile devices have positively impacted social media. However, in terms of social media addiction, are these aspects really a good thing?
The Impact of Smartphones on Social Media Addiction
Since the release of mobile devices like smart phones, the use of social media has skyrocketed. Mobile phones have become the most popular form of access to social networks. In fact, writer David Bolton claims in his ARC article how statistics show that
“Mobile devices account for 76% of all time spent on social media in the U.S, with both Canada and the U.K showing 70%”.
We love the fact that apps allow us to check our social network accounts by simply glancing at our devices wherever we are. It’s just so quick and easy! But here’s a matter to consider…has the simplicity of this access through mobile devices made social media addiction worse? Let’s take a look.
Many of us use our phones to connect to social media. But let’s be honest, if it wasn’t so easy to access social media through these devices and apps, would we really be bothered to check our accounts as much? I know I probably wouldn’t! The fact that mobile devices are thought to be responsible for the majority of time spent on social media shows it could have helped fuel addiction on a global scale. With this in mind, web and mobile communications could be worsening the issue.
A Different Perspective
Whilst some argue that addiction to social media has been worsened by the mobile phone craze, others disagree with this view. Social media addiction has been blamed for creating a mobile phone addiction. Academics Mohammad Salehan and Arash Negahban produced an article arguing that “there is a large growth in the use of mobile phones” due to the increased use of “online social networking services”. Could this be true?
The issue between social media addiction and mobile phone addiction resembles the classic chicken or the egg question…which came first? Personally, I think it’s really down to interpretation.
Since buying a smartphone and discovering apps enabling quick internet and social media access, I found that I check my social network accounts on a more regular basis than before. This makes me believe mobile phones are a significant contributor to social media addiction.
Do you agree that social media has been worsened by mobile phones? Feel free to comment your view. For more of an insight into the issue of social media addiction, follow my next few blogs. I will be covering the various complications of addiction in more depth.
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