
Media Use


It might be time to clear out your “friends” list—Here’s how to unfollow someone on social media without offending them
Your daily screentime average is up 25% from last week. My screentime has been increasing weekly—and my iPhone loves to let me know it. If I had to guess, this is likely the case for many other people right now, too. We’re stuck at home; we’re bored; we’re checking...
Your device addiction is negatively affecting your children: Behavioral problems, language impairment, and more
“The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree.” When it comes to device addiction, this may very well be the case. As society becomes more dependent on smartphones and as we are bombarded with new apps on a daily basis, a large percentage of the population has become...
Internet Addiction: Definition, Symptoms, Causes, Treatment, and More
Binge-watching Netflix; getting sucked into a YouTube channel about cats or cars; scrolling through Instagram and Facebook; shopping online; engaging in a heated discussion on Reddit; playing Minecraft, World of Warcraft, Fortnite; reading the news; taking personality...
Do violent video games really cause aggressive behavior? Despite popular belief, research says gaming does not influence behavior change
The common belief is that video games cause aggression in real life—but research shows this isn’t the case. Cultivation theory summarizes this belief; however, a University of York study shows that violent video games doesn’t influence players to behave any certain...
The Unintended Side Effects of Spending Too Much Time on Social Media Platforms
In late 2010, Steve Jobs was still at the head of Apple and had recently unveiled the first iPad. Jobs was well known for his personality and would often call reporters to let them know how he felt about their reviews. At times, these conversations would involve a pat...
The News Can Bring About Unwanted Anxiety
Every morning when I wake up, one of the first things I do is turn on The Today Show. It’s mostly background noise while I complete the rest of my morning routine, but sometimes I find myself just staring at the TV, mouth gaping. Somehow, I still can’t believe all of...
When Social Media Makes You Sad
We’re all guilty of it—scrolling enviously through our feeds, staring at all the pretty pictures and reading about our friends’ “glamorous” lives. But here’s the thing: the grass isn’t always greener on the other side. Have you ever heard someone refer to social media...
Healthy vs. Unhealthy Social Media Use: What’s the Difference?
If you’re an avid social media user—say of Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Snapchat, or all of the above—you’ve probably wondered at some point in your life if your habits would be considered healthy… or if there might be some room for improvement. Fortunately, Licensed...
Social Media Isn’t So Great For Your Mental Health—Here’s Why
The capabilities and functionalities of social media are absolutely awe-inspiring. I mean, these platforms allow us to upload our thoughts and our experiences to the web in a matter of seconds; they enable us to have instant conversations with people on the complete...
Does social media addiction really exist?
We joke with one another about being addicted to our smartphones, eyes glued to whatever social platform we have pulled up at the time, but have you ever actually considered the possibility? Oftentimes, I reach for my phone and open Instagram or Snapchat without...