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Doha, Qatar: As we enter an increasingly digital age, almost everyone has a social media account. Different platforms cater to a wide range of professions and interests, spanning from entertainment and leisure to politics and news. As daily life becomes more digitalised and even the simplest forms of interaction are online, a difficult yet essential question emerges: can social media negatively affect users' productivity and overall well-being, including work performance, social interactions, sleep patterns, and mental health?
Many recent term like 'Compulsive Social Media Use', 'Screen Addiction', 'Online Obsession', 'Doomscrolling,' popularised among masses, describe the compulsive habit of endlessly scrolling through social media as a form of escape or as a coping mechanism. This behavior has caused for growing dependence on digital platforms, leading to a rapid rise in overall screen time and consumption of content.
When asked about their screen time, several people reported spending between six and ten hours a day on their phones. That amounts to roughly one-third of a full day, or nearly half of a person's waking hours if they’re awake for sixteen hours.
This issue goes beyond long screen times and endless scrolling. The broader objective is to understand how social media affects people's daily lives and to what extent. Several users shared their perspectives on the different ways social media has influenced them.
Chayane, 25, spoke about how difficult it can be to motivate herself in the mornings. "I do scroll a lot in the morning, so I find it very difficult to push myself to get out of bed and start a productive day," she said.
She also explained that social media serves as her primary means of social interaction. Through platforms such as WhatsApp and Instagram, she stays connected with friends and keeps up with her community. For others, staying offline is not even an option.
Cedra, a marketing intern, explained that social media has become an essential component of many workplaces. "My job is in marketing, which basically falls under social media. I have to be on these platforms 24/7," she said.
This may suggest that social media enhances productivity. However, this is only a part of it. With an endless variety of platforms available, many users also turn to social media as a form of entertainment or a way to unwind.
"I probably sleep very less daily because I’m scrolling on my phone," Cedra shared. "When I'm not engaging with the algorithm or keeping up with friends and work, I disconnect by binge-watching TV shows or movies."
Others, such as Abdulrahman, use social media primarily for educational and informational purposes. "With everything happening worldwide, I constantly update my feed to anticipate any major events," he said. His interests lean more towards political content on platforms such as X and TikTok. "Most breaking and second-hand news appears first on X, and TikTok heavily caters to whatever I'm interested in during different periods."
Yet despite using social media to stay informed, Abdulrahman acknowledged its impact on his productivity. "I scroll for hours before I sleep, and that ultimately affects how I feel the next day because of the lack of sleep and inability to put my phone down. I also sometimes procrastinate in daily tasks and my ability to socialise decreases," he said.
He added that social media may also affect people's attention spans. "Online, you're able to scroll past anything that isn't constantly entertaining you. When you're having a conversation in real life, it becomes harder to stay focused because you don't have a 2x speed button."
A common theme was established among the majority: many users experience the effects of social media overconsumption, for different reasons.
Looking deeper into the psychological effects of digital dependency, one user offered a profound perspective. "You don’t choose what you see online, and subconsciously, your brain registers everything it is exposed to," he said. He argued that the existence of a digital world can sometimes cancel out your reality, causing people to lose sight of their own path.
"People tend to deviate from the path they're meant to be on," he said, explaining that social media often presents opportunities and lifestyles that may not be realistic or attainable for everyone. This can create room for comparison, self-doubt, and demotivation in both professional and personal life.
Still, others like Abdulrahman, believe users are not entirely powerless against these effects. "It can affect you slightly, but as long as you understand that everything is calculated and that your algorithm is designed around what you like to see, it becomes easier to dismiss it."
Some youngsters even reported appearing of Nomophobia (No-Mobile-Phone Phobia) symptoms like fear, anxiety, or distress they experience when they are unable to use or access their mobile phone or internet.
As social media continues to become integrated deeper into everyday life, day by day, its influence on users remains a complex and multifaced topic. While these platforms offer valuable opportunities for communication, sharing information, entertainment, and professional growth, many users acknowledge the challenges that come with it. Whether through losing precious hours of sleep, reduced productivity and motivation, shortened attention spans, or increased self-doubt, the effects of excessive use are becoming harder to ignore.
Ultimately, it is important to remain grounded and create balance between the digital world and real life. That could serve as the only way to ensure that social media remains a useful tool, rather than being what controls people.
