social media

Social media dramatically impacts our offline lives and mental well-being; examine its benefits, risks and controversies through scientific studies, real-life anecdotes and more.

Brainwashed by Algorithms
Imagine opening your phone just to check one quick message—and suddenly, you're 47 minutes deep into scrolling TikTok, comparing vacuum reviews on YouTube, and debating whether that $300 infrared sauna blanket on Instagram is the secret to your new self. You didn’t plan that. But the apps did.
By Noman Khan 8 months ago in Psyche
How to Overcome Difficult Times & Feelings
Life doesn’t ask permission to get hard. One moment you’re coasting, and the next, you’re hit with something that knocks the wind out of you—a breakup, a layoff, a loss, or simply the overwhelming weight of existing in a chaotic world. When those moments come (and they always do), it can feel like you’re stuck in a storm with no umbrella, no map, and no clue when it’ll end.
By Anthony Bahamonde8 months ago in Psyche
The Hidden Currency: How Human Connections Secretly Control Power, Wealth, and Influence
Imagine a world where money isn’t the most valuable thing you own. A world where a simple conversation can open doors that no degree or wealth ever could.
By Umar Khattak8 months ago in Psyche
I Was Smiling on the Outside—But Silently Drowning Inside. AI-Generated.
You would’ve never known by looking at me. I smiled in every photo. I showed up to every birthday party. I laughed at jokes, gave advice, and even sent those “just checking in” texts to my friends. I looked fine—better than fine, even. But the truth?
By Nouman wali8 months ago in Psyche
The Dopamine Trap Explained
In the age of endless scrolling, constant notifications, and the dopamine rush of “likes,” social media has become more than a tool — it’s a carefully engineered system designed to influence your behavior. But have you ever wondered how social media keeps you hooked?
By shoaib khan8 months ago in Psyche
What Meta And AI Fundamentally Misunderstand About Loneliness And Therapy
Mark Zuckerberg has recently talked about the Future he Envisions. A Future that makes me Fundamentally Sick because of its Dystopian Consequences.
By Dr. Cody Dakota Wooten, DFM, DHM, DAS (hc)8 months ago in Psyche
Are You Using Your Phone or Is It Using You
Start writing.At first, it was just a tool. A shiny rectangle full of promise. You tapped the screen and marveled at the world it unlocked—endless knowledge, instant communication, and the comforting sense that you were never really alone. But somewhere along the way, the roles reversed. You used to reach for your phone with a purpose. Now, you reach for it without even thinking. Standing in line, sitting in silence, lying in bed at 2 a.m.—your hand gravitates toward it like metal to a magnet. You scroll, swipe, tap. What were you even looking for? You’re not sure anymore. It started with connection. But now? Now it feels more like a leash. The Silent Shift You didn’t notice it at first. Nobody does. The apps you downloaded were fun. Useful. Harmless. But they didn’t stay that way. Slowly, they learned about you—your habits, your patterns, your weaknesses. They began shaping your behavior, nudging your emotions, hijacking your attention. What began as convenience turned into compulsion. Have you ever caught yourself unlocking your phone without a reason? You’re not alone. In fact, studies show the average person checks their phone 96 times a day—that’s once every 10 to 12 minutes. Not because we need to. Because we’ve been trained to. Notifications aren’t just alerts. They’re psychological triggers. Every buzz or banner on your screen sets off a tiny burst of dopamine—a chemical reward that your brain starts craving. Over time, your mind becomes wired to seek those rewards, not unlike a gambler waiting for the next win. You aren’t using your phone anymore. It’s using you. The Illusion of Control Sure, you tell yourself, I can quit anytime. But can you? Try going a full day without checking your phone. No social media. No emails. No YouTube. No mindless scrolling. Just you and your thoughts. Feels uncomfortable, doesn’t it? That discomfort is not accidental. It's by design. App developers consult behavioral psychologists to make their platforms as addictive as possible. Infinite scroll, autoplay videos, algorithmic feeds—they all serve one purpose: to keep you engaged, even when you're exhausted, disinterested, or even unhappy. Your attention is their currency. The longer you stay, the more ads they show, the more money they make. Every second you spend is another piece of yourself you’re trading—often without even realizing it. What Are You Losing? The cost of constant connection isn’t just time—it’s presence. It's relationships. It's peace. How many dinners have been interrupted by a glowing screen? How many deep conversations have been reduced to distracted nods? How many nights have you stayed awake, endlessly scrolling, while sleep slipped through your fingers? It’s subtle. It creeps in slowly. But eventually, you begin to feel... off. Anxious for no reason. Unfocused. Restless. Your mind flits from one thing to the next, unable to rest in the stillness. Unable to be alone. Because being alone means facing yourself. And your phone doesn’t want that. Your phone wants to keep you busy. Distracted. Dependent. Reclaiming the Driver’s Seat But here’s the truth: the phone only has the power you give it. You can take it back. It starts with awareness. Not blame, not guilt—just honesty. Notice your habits. Track how often you pick up your phone, and ask yourself why. Is it boredom? Loneliness? Stress? What are you really looking for? Then, take small steps. Turn off non-essential notifications. Set app time limits. Designate phone-free hours during your day. Replace late-night scrolling with journaling or reading. Create space for your mind to breathe. Most importantly, reconnect with real life—with the moments that can’t be captured or posted. The laughter of someone sitting across from you. The silence of a walk at dusk. The satisfaction of being fully here. The Choice Is Yours Are you using your phone—or is it using you? It’s a haunting question. One that reveals more about your life than you might be ready to admit. But it’s not too late to shift the balance. Not too late to stop living on autopilot and start living with intention. Your phone is a tool. A powerful one. But it is not your master. It doesn't breathe. It doesn't feel. It doesn’t dream. You do. Don’t trade your reality for a screen. Don’t let the illusion of connection rob you of real presence. You are not a machine, and you don’t have to live like one. Unplug to remember who you are—before the phone started whispering otherwise.
By Sajid 8 months ago in Psyche
Taking A Nap On A Battlefield
These are not normal times. Seriously, not normal. While you may be rolling your eyes and muttering, “obviously,” I feel like that is a really important statement to make.
By Alys Revna8 months ago in Psyche
You’re Not Behind — You’re Just Human
You ever look around and think, “Everyone else seems to know what they’re doing... why don’t I?” Someone just got a promotion. Someone else is buying a house. Your friend is planning a wedding, launching a business, traveling the world.
By SHADOW-WRITES8 months ago in Psyche
Alone in a Crowded World
In a world buzzing with digital notifications, endless content, and instant communication, many people are quietly battling a painful truth: they feel completely alone.
By The Manatwal Khan8 months ago in Psyche
Stress Is Not the Enemy — Comfort Might Be
In today’s fast-paced digital world, stress is often painted as the villain behind mental health struggles, burnout, and chronic fatigue. We are bombarded with messages telling us to eliminate stress, prioritize self-care, and chase comfort at all costs. While reducing toxic stress is important, what if the true enemy isn’t stress itself—but our obsession with constant comfort?
By shoaib khan8 months ago in Psyche
Tragedy, Tribulations, and Finding Peace Within Myself . Content Warning.
Greetings, Vocal readers. Before I begin, I want to say thanks to the wonderful team on Vocal for selecting my story as on of the Top Stories of May. I'll have a link to that story down below if you would like to read it. For this story, I want to be open and honest about, and in detail, about my devastating lows and numerous suicide attempts. It's an uncomfortable topic to discuss, but I believe by being transparent about what I've gone through mentally, it might encourage someone to seek professional help. In my previous stories on Vocal, I've been frank about my mental health struggles. We should have difficult, yet necessary conversations about mental health. It will show that people are honest and genuine about their feelings. In fact, we should normalize being open about our struggles, not have it suppressed. I was diagnosed with depression and anxiety in February 2012, but had been experiencing those feelings since I was 19.
By Mark Wesley Pritchard 8 months ago in Psyche