An addiction to the internet, specifically smartphones, seems ludicrous in nature because we would never think that we could be addicted to the one thing that keeps us connected to the people around us. 

Social media is the main source of content that most people get consumed by when it comes to phones. It can be a constant feed of unattainable realities that make us want things that aren’t possible. 

These pictures and videos can make us sink into things like loneliness, depression and anxiety. 

As we increase phone usage, our attention spans are decreasing because we get used to constant streams of messages, pictures and media from our phones, making it hard to go back to regular life and function at a normal level.

It’s hard for some people to realize they actually have an addiction because it doesn’t seem reasonable to them that something as small as a smartphone could take over their life. 

Some people have recognized their problem and are aiming to combat this issue by trying to curb the use of their own social media and phone use. 

Simple ways that people have done this are by turning off their notifications, moving their phone from their sleeping area, stopping phone usage in the mornings, finding new hobbies and cleansing themselves of social media entirely.

Some of these options seem more attainable than others, like using a phone less in the morning, or taking phone usage out of their morning routine. 

Other options like removing social media from daily life entirely are less practical for people who want to stay in touch with family and friends, or have a social media presence as a career.  

It can be easier for some people to approach something like a digital detox in a less strict way, and instead, simply distance themselves from social media more than they usually would. 

By moving away from phone and social media usage, personal time and free will seems to become more prevalent in most people’s daily life, which can lead to increased focusing ability, less need for validation from others and overall happier moods.