A Study on the Role of the Media and Its Effects on the Identity of Muslims (Part 49)
Personal Damages of the Media
In the previous parts, media addiction, its types, symptoms, and consequences were discussed; in this part, we will explore two additional harms of the media:
2. Feeling Lonely and Depressed
Another unfortunate consequence of media addiction is the feeling of loneliness and depression, which profoundly affects individuals addicted to media. A person who is addicted to media often feels isolated and tends to avoid social interactions, leading to further depression.
Depression is a common mental disorder associated with significant mood changes. It manifests through symptoms such as extreme sadness, guilt, feelings of worthlessness, social withdrawal, decreased sleep and appetite, and a lack of interest in daily activities. A depressed individual often experiences a significant decline in motivation and may find it difficult to initiate or engage in activities that once interested them. Such a person may feel overwhelmed by feelings of inadequacy and worthlessness.
Today, one of the factors contributing to psychological distress, including depression, is media and internet addiction. The Internet facilitates extensive social connections, allowing users to communicate easily and express their thoughts and feelings. However, many internet users turn to online platforms to escape from stressful situations and pressures in their immediate environment, perceiving cyberspace as a safe haven. Symptoms of depression caused by media and internet addiction include social withdrawal, increased distance from family and friends, disrupted sleep patterns, a preference for solitude, shyness, and persistent fatigue.
In addition to causing depression, media addiction can result in various physical harms, including stress, sleep deprivation, obesity, emotional instability, reduced intellectual concentration, poor vision, and physical pain, such as aches in the eyes, joints, and back.
3. Academic Failure
Another significant consequence of media addiction is the academic decline among teenagers and young adults, a pressing concern for educational systems. Each year, a considerable number of potential human and economic talents are wasted due to this decline. Media addicts often spend excessive amounts of time engaging with media, which leaves insufficient time or motivation for studying and completing homework.
Online games, popular among children and adolescents, are a prominent cause of internet addiction. These games are highly engaging, leading users to spend extensive periods gaming. Many individuals exhaust their mental and emotional energy on these games, often stopping only when they are physically and mentally fatigued. Some teenagers even wake up early to play games before attending school or university. Consequently, many of these individuals experience significant academic failures.
One reason for academic decline linked to media addiction is that reliance on electronic information can weaken cognitive abilities. This can impair essential functions such as concentration, summarization, categorization, reasoning, inference, critical thinking, and imagination.
Regrettably, rather than using the Internet for productive and creative purposes, students often frequent unhealthy websites, chat rooms, and engage in virtual gaming. Research indicates that the educational use of virtual spaces among students is notably low. Most of the activity in this space—especially among younger users—is tied to hedonistic pursuits, such as socializing, web browsing, gaming, and visiting inappropriate websites. Consequently, educational decline and failures are more pronounced among these users.
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