ClassX Video Lessons Youtube Channel ASAP Science 5 Crazy Ways Social Media Is Changing Your Brain Right Now
Social media is a huge part of our lives, with millions of people around the world using it every day. But have you ever wondered how it affects your brain? Here are five surprising ways that social media and the internet are changing your brain right now!
Did you know that 5-10% of internet users find it hard to control how much time they spend online? This isn’t like being addicted to a substance, but it does affect the brain in similar ways. Brain scans show that people with this kind of addiction have changes in areas that control emotions, attention, and decision-making. Social media gives you quick rewards with little effort, which makes your brain want more. This can lead to a craving for the excitement you get from each interaction.
You might think that using social media a lot makes you better at multitasking, but studies show the opposite. People who frequently switch between tasks online actually perform worse on tests that measure task-switching abilities. This is because multitasking online makes it harder for your brain to filter out distractions and remember information. For example, if your phone buzzes while you’re working, it can break your concentration.
Have you ever thought your phone vibrated, but it didn’t? This is called Phantom Vibration Syndrome, and it’s a new psychological phenomenon. In one study, 89% of people said they experienced this at least once every two weeks. Our brains have started to interpret certain sensations as phone vibrations, showing how technology is rewiring our nervous systems in unexpected ways.
Social media triggers the release of dopamine, a chemical that makes you feel good. Scientists using MRI scans found that the reward centers in people’s brains are more active when they talk about themselves compared to listening to others. While 30-40% of face-to-face conversations involve sharing personal experiences, about 80% of social media communication is self-focused. This stimulates the same brain areas related to pleasure, motivation, and love, especially when you know others are watching.
It’s not all about self-focus, though. Studies show that people tend to like each other more if they first meet online rather than in person. This might be because online interactions allow for more honest communication about future goals, leading to more successful relationships. Even though the internet has changed how we communicate and increased physical distance, it seems that some of the most meaningful connections can become closer.
If you’re curious about more science topics, check out our Q&A video on AsapTHOUGHT! We answer your questions and share behind-the-scenes content. Feel free to ask us anything in the comments or on social media. We also have a PO Box for those who want to send us mail. We’d love to hear from you! Don’t forget to subscribe for more weekly science videos!
Track your social media usage for one week. Note how much time you spend on each platform and how you feel before and after using them. At the end of the week, reflect on whether you notice any patterns or changes in your mood and behavior. Discuss your findings with the class.
Participate in a multitasking challenge where you attempt to complete two tasks simultaneously, such as solving math problems while listening to a podcast. Afterward, evaluate your performance and discuss how multitasking affected your ability to concentrate and remember information.
Conduct an experiment to see how often you experience Phantom Vibration Syndrome. Keep your phone in your pocket for a day and note each time you think it vibrates. Compare your results with classmates and discuss why this phenomenon might occur.
Research the role of dopamine in the brain and create a presentation on how social media usage can affect dopamine levels. Include information on the potential impacts on mood and behavior. Present your findings to the class.
Engage in a debate about the pros and cons of forming relationships online versus in person. Use evidence from studies and personal experiences to support your arguments. Reflect on how online interactions might influence the way we form connections.
Here’s a sanitized version of the provided YouTube transcript:
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With social media sites being used by a significant portion of the global population, they’ve clearly had a major influence on society. But what about our bodies? Here are five surprising ways that social media and the internet are affecting your brain right now!
Can’t log off? Surprisingly, 5-10% of internet users struggle to control how much time they spend online. Although this is a psychological addiction rather than a substance addiction, brain scans of these individuals show similar impairments in regions associated with drug dependence. Specifically, there is a noticeable degradation of white matter in areas that control emotional processing, attention, and decision-making. Because social media provides immediate rewards with minimal effort, your brain begins to rewire itself, leading to a desire for these stimulations. You may find yourself craving more of this neurological excitement after each interaction.
We also see a shift when examining multitasking. You might think that those who frequently use social media or switch between tasks are better at multitasking, but studies have found that heavy media users perform worse on task-switching tests. Increased multitasking online reduces the brain’s ability to filter out distractions and can even make it harder to commit information to memory. For instance, when your phone buzzes during productive work, it can disrupt your focus.
Phantom Vibration Syndrome is a relatively new psychological phenomenon where individuals think they felt their phone vibrate, but it didn’t. In one study, 89% of participants reported experiencing this at least once every two weeks. It appears that our brains now interpret certain sensations as vibrations from our phones. As surprising as it may seem, technology has begun to rewire our nervous systems, triggering our brains in unprecedented ways.
Social media also triggers a release of dopamine, the feel-good chemical. Using MRI scans, scientists found that the reward centers in people’s brains are much more active when discussing their own views compared to listening to others. This isn’t too surprising—many people enjoy talking about themselves. However, while 30-40% of face-to-face conversations involve sharing personal experiences, around 80% of social media communication is self-focused. The same areas of the brain related to pleasure, motivation, and love are stimulated by social media use, especially when individuals know they have an audience.
Interestingly, it’s not all about self-involvement. Studies on relationships have found that partners tend to like each other more if they first meet online rather than in person. This could be due to the anonymity of online interactions or clearer communication about future goals, leading to a statistical increase in successful partnerships that began online. While the internet has changed our verbal communication and increased physical separation, it seems that some of the most meaningful connections may actually become closer.
Speaking of social media, we invited you to ask us questions on various platforms, and we created a Q&A video over on AsapTHOUGHT! If you’re interested in getting some insider information on AsapSCIENCE and behind-the-scenes content, check it out via the link in the description!
Have a burning question you want answered? Feel free to ask in the comments or on our social media. We also recently got a PO Box for all of you amazing science enthusiasts who have requested to send us mail or other items over the years. We’d love to hear from you! So feel free to use the address on the screen or in the description box. And don’t forget to subscribe for more weekly science videos!
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This version maintains the original content while removing any informal language and ensuring clarity.
Social Media – Platforms and websites that allow people to interact, share content, and communicate with each other online. – Many teenagers use social media to stay connected with friends and share their daily experiences.
Brain – The organ in our head that controls thoughts, memory, emotions, and the nervous system. – Learning new skills can help strengthen connections in the brain.
Addiction – A strong and harmful need to regularly have or do something, such as using a substance or engaging in an activity. – Excessive use of video games can lead to addiction, affecting a student’s school performance.
Multitasking – Performing multiple tasks at the same time, often leading to decreased efficiency and focus. – While multitasking might seem productive, it can actually reduce the quality of work.
Dopamine – A neurotransmitter in the brain that plays a key role in how we feel pleasure and reward. – Activities like eating chocolate can increase dopamine levels, making us feel happy.
Relationships – The connections and interactions between people, which can be familial, friendly, or romantic. – Building strong relationships with peers can enhance a student’s social skills and emotional well-being.
Emotions – Feelings that are responses to thoughts, experiences, or situations, such as happiness, sadness, or anger. – Understanding and managing emotions is an important part of personal development.
Technology – The use of scientific knowledge for practical purposes, especially in industry and everyday life. – Technology has transformed how students learn, providing access to a wealth of information online.
Communication – The process of sharing information, thoughts, or feelings between people through speaking, writing, or other methods. – Effective communication is essential for resolving conflicts and building strong relationships.
Sensations – Physical feelings or perceptions resulting from something that happens to or comes into contact with the body. – The sensations of warmth and comfort can make a person feel relaxed and at ease.
