Using social media can be like getting lost in a gripping story that you can’t put down. Researchers have discovered that people can enter a state of dissociation when using social media, similar to the trance-like experience of reading an enthralling book. This means that individuals may become so absorbed in their online interactions that they lose track of time and space, forgetting the content they consumed. It’s as if their minds are transported to a different realm, temporarily disconnected from the physical world around them. This dissociative state challenges the notion that people are simply ‘addicted’ to social media, suggesting instead that their engagement is driven by a deep immersion and disengagement from reality. To better understand this phenomenon, future research could investigate how specific features of social media platforms create these dissociative effects, and how individuals can maintain a healthy balance between online and offline experiences. So next time you find yourself getting lost in the digital realm, remember to keep an eye on the clock and stay grounded in the present!
