Social Media and the World Wide Web are great tools if used correctly, but when mishandled, the corruption going on behind the scenes, and the vulgarity, violence, and brain-washing going on right in our faces is literally destroying our lives and the lives of those we love.

Here are the numbers:

• The average person spends 2 hours and twenty-seven minutes on social media every day.

• It’s estimated that 210 million people worldwide are addicted to social media.

• More than half of all drivers admit to checking social media behind the wheel. In 2021, distracted driving was a significant factor in road accidents, leading to 3,522 fatalities and approximately 362,415 injuries.

• Overuse of social media in children and teens can literally rewire their brains.

• Roughly 42% of teens admit that social media keeps them from connecting with friends in person.

• In a recent survey, 70% of teens said they feel left out or excluded because of social media.

• Suicide rates among teens have increased in the age of social media.

• Social media is more addictive than alcohol and cigarettes.

The above data was obtained from: https://www.lanierlawfirm.com/social-media-addiction/statistics/#:~:text=The%20average%20person%20spends%20two,can%20literally%20rewire%20their%20brains.

Let's dig a little deeper, shall we?

Below each statement I will provide the link to my sources, so that you'll know it's not just me making stuff up to mess with your mind.

Youth Suicides:

About 46,000 people died by suicide in the United States in 2020, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC.) People die by suicide at a rate of 14 per 100,000. Among children and young adults, 10 to 24, the suicide rate is 10.7 per 100,000, and suicide is the second-leading cause of death among this age group.(Resource: go to https://socialmediavictims.org/mental-health/suicide/ to read the full report.

Researchers have linked several aspects of social media use to depression and higher suicide risk. According to the CDC, "the suicide rate for male teens increased 31 percent between 2007 and 2015 and female teen suicides hit a 40-year high in 2015.

Over the past decade, the rate of teen suicide has risen dramatically. At the same time, social media use has also risen among teens. The first factor that has caused an increase in suicide prevalence rates among teens on social media is overuse. A 10-year longitudinal study at BYU discovered that teenage girls who spent two to three hours daily on social media at age 13 were at a higher risk for suicide as young adults. For more details go to: https://mashable.com/article/cdc-social-media-use-young-people-mental-health.

Relationship Breakdown:

According to Censuswide, Social Media is blamed in one of seven divorces. Let's take a quick look at the numbers in the United States. In the years 2000 – 2022 there were 673,989 divorces. 14.286%. That's over 96,286 divorces directly related to social media use in the USA alone. Source: https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/fastats/marriage-divorce.htm#:~:text=Number%20of%20divorces%3A%20673%2C989%20(45,45%20reporting%20States%20and%20D.C.

Nearly two-thirds of Tinder users admitted they were already in relationships – some of them married while they were using the app. Source: https://www.nbcnews.com/pop-culture/lifestyle/many-online-daters-arent-seeking-actual-dates-rcna94163

One in ten adults admits to hiding messages and posts from their significant other.

Eight percent of adults in relationships admit to having secret accounts.

One in three divorces now start as online affairs.

Source: https://www.mckinleyirvin.com/resources/digital-divorce-a-guide-for-social-media-digital/how-social-media-affects-marriage/

Are you getting nervous yet? How about this?

Pedophiles:

“There are an estimated 500,000 online predators active each day. Children between the ages of 12 and 15 are especially susceptible to be groomed or manipulated by adults they meet online. According to the F.B.I., over 50 percent of the victims of online sexual exploitation are between the ages of 12 and 15. An estimated 89 percent of sexual advances directed at children occur in Internet chatrooms or through instant messaging. Source: https://childsafety.losangelescriminallawyer.pro

Violence:

Very similar to the recent cyber bullying phenomenon, Twitter, Facebook, and YouTube have become a platform for youth violence. Source: https://yvpc.sph.umich.edu/social-media-perpetuate-youth-violence/

(Images courtesy of: Cotton Bro Studios and Roman Pohorecki)

Image courtesy of Kaboompics.com

Image courtesy of RDNE Stock Project.

Image courtesy of Roman Odintsov

Image courtesy of Sora Shimazaki

Make a difference...share your story.

If Social Media Addiction and/or misuse has negatively impacted your life or the lives of those you love, you may be part of the solution to by sharing your story. I'm not asking for your real name. In fact, please do not give your real name or the real names of anyone involved, for your own privacy and protection. Just share your story honestly and from the heart by using the form below to contact me. I am sorry for all you've been through, and I thank you for your courage in advance.

Photo courtesy of Lisa Folios

Connect with Coach Ziana to share your story.

Help is available:

Teen Suicide Hotline.

PLEASE use it. You are so precious and valuable. You ARE worthy. You are loved.

9-8-8: Suicide Crisis Helpline. Call or text.

Hours: 24/7

Website: https://988.ca

I'll try to find more for different countries.

The Science Behind Social Media Addiction (and how to break free.)

How To Stop Social Media Addiction.

When Your Spouse Overuses Social Media.

Keeping teens safe on social media: What parents should know to protect their kids

Smartphones: It’s Time to Confront Our Global Addiction | Dr. Justin Romano