Ever find yourself mindlessly scrolling through Instagram or TikTok, only to look up and realize an hour has disappeared? You're not alone. The average adult in the UK spends nearly two hours on social media daily, and for younger users, that number can jump up to five hours.
But have you ever wondered what social media is actually doing to your body? And what happens when you finally put your phone down?
A recent study dove into this question, and the results are kind of wild.
Your Body on Social Media
Researchers had 54 young adults scroll Instagram for 15 minutes while tracking their heart rate and sweat levels (which, surprisingly, can reveal a lot about emotions). They compared these results to when participants simply read a news article on their phone. Here’s what they found:
While scrolling, participants’ heart rates slowed down, but their sweat levels increased.
This combo usually means we’re super focused and emotionally engaged, similar when you're watching a thriller or playing an intense game.
The effect wasn’t the same when participants just read an article, meaning social media has a uniquely powerful hold on our attention.
Basically, our bodies react to social media like it’s something incredibly important and stimulating, even if we’re just watching cat videos.
The Wild Part: What Happens When You Stop
When participants were told to stop scrolling and go back to reading an article, their stress levels spiked even higher:
Their sweat response increased, and heart rates jumped, basically, their bodies weren’t happy about logging off.
Many participants reported feeling stressed, anxious, and craving social media at that moment.
Sound familiar? That uneasy feeling when you put your phone away? Turns out, it's a real physiological reaction.
Is Social Media an Addiction?
This stress response sounds a lot like withdrawal, which happens when people stop using addictive substances. But does that mean social media is addictive?
Not exactly. The study found that everyone, even those who weren’t classified as heavy social media users, had the same stress reaction when logging off. This suggests that social media isn’t just an addiction for some people; it’s designed to be addictive for everyone.
One reason it plays into a core human need: connection. Unlike substances, social media isn’t just about getting a quick dopamine hit, it’s about feeling liked, included, and part of something bigger. That’s why scrolling can feel so rewarding, and why stopping can feel uncomfortable.
So, Should We Be Worried?
Unlike drugs, social media cravings can be replaced with real-life interactions. The study found that people can quit or cut back on social media without major negative effects, as long as they fulfill their social needs in other ways (like texting a friend or meeting up in person).
The takeaway? Social media is engineered to keep us hooked, but understanding this power gives us more control. So next time you find yourself deep in the scroll, ask yourself: Is this what I actually want to be doing?
