Apps to limit social media use

These are some effective apps which can limit you to use social media more than required times.

1. Built-in Phone Features

Digital Wellbeing (Android) and Screen Time (iOS) is mentioned under Built-in Phone Features. With the help of these features, it is easily checked how much time you spend on apps and therefore there will not be required to use different app to limit social media use. Digital Wellbeing includes App timers, bedtime mode and focus mode. For iphone users, Screen Time (iOS) is applicable and it also includes app limit, content restrictions and downtime. This Built-in Phone features helps in identifying how to stop social media addiction.

2. Blocking and Time-Limit Apps

Freedom

This particular app helps tablets, phones and computers to block social media sites as well as apps during focusing sessions and setting schedules. It works under broad platform support like Windows, Mac, Android, iOS and ChromeOS. This is the reason for which it is mentioned under different app to limit social media use. However, it is not an effective option under how to stop social media addiction for those who do not want to use Subscription Model.

Step-by-step explanation of using this app

Appblock

Appblock is a versatile app blocker which restricts access of selected apps and websites on the phone. This particular application is ideal to cut out time-wasting app like Instagram and Facebook. Therefore it is one of the best options under app to limit social media use. Free versions have restrictions and therefore it is not the best app under defining how to stop social media addiction.

Step-by-step explanation of using this app

3. Tracking and Habit-Building Apps

YourHour (Android)

YourHour provides usage patterns and detailed reports and at the same time, it also renders weekly and daily limits for specific apps. These are some reasons for which it is considered as a effective app to limit social media use under building habits and tracking. However, the limitation can be mentioned in the context of inconsistent device performance and therefore it is not suggested under how to stop social media addiction many times. More specifically, it is said that it is not that much working in devices like Xiaomi, HUAWEI and OPPO. 

Step-by-step explanation of using this app

Clearspace (iOS)

Clearspace (iOS) is mentioned under app to limit social media use because it helps in building mindful usage habits with schedules, limits and usage reports. Restrictive free tier is one of its restrictions and therefore users are typically limited to manage only one app at a time. Therefore it may not be considered under how to stop social media addiction.

Step-by-step explanation of using this app

4. Habit and Behavior-Focused

Forest (Android & iOS)

Forest is not considered as a blocker but it will help you from stay off your phone by planting your phone. It is one of the best apps to limit social media use because it gamifies focus and at the same time discourages mindless scrolling.

Step-by-step explanation of using this app

Social Limits (iOS)

In order to identify how to stop social media addiction, Social Limits (iOS) app needs to be addressed to block social media until you hit a daily step goal. It integrates digital detoxing with physical activity. 

Step-by-step explanation of using this app

Different applications which help in reducing social media usage are already mentioned in the above section but, all applications are not free. Built-in Phone Features (Screen Time (iOS) and Digital Wellbeing (Android) which are mentioned in the above section are totally free.

Free with basic features

YourHour (Android): Basic limits with free tracking

AppBlock: Free version available but with limied profile

Social Limits (iOS): Free basic functionality

Forest (Android & iOS): Free core focus features.

Not effectively free (Subscription is required)

Clearspace (iOS): Restrictive free tier (manages only one app)

Freedom: Very limited free use and therefore subscription-based is used mostly.

If someone wants to get free option then Screen Time, Digital Wellbeing, YourHour and Forest are best options. However, under premium usage of Clearspace and Freedom, you can better enjoy the benefits of the applications.

How to stop social media addiction 

In the above section, different applications are discussed to stop social media addiction. Apart from that, you can use these initiatives to understand “How to stop social media addiction”.

Setting clear time limits: Set a specific time over which you will not allow yourself to use social media. It will help you to be mentally disciplined as well. You can use app block after the time is reached.

Turning off notifications: You can disable non-essential notifications like comments, likes, reels and suggestions. Keep only important notifications like calls, emails and messages. It is a wonderful way to understand the way How to stop social media addiction

Removing triggers: You can move social media apps off your home screen. In most cases it is seen that people do not log out after using the mobile phone. However, I you really want to reduce social media addiction, you should log out all social media after one time of use.

Using free apps that help: You can better understand about this fact from the above discussion.

Creating “No-Phone” Zones: You can keep your phone in “No-Phone” Zones during your important tasks. It may include your study time, working time, meal and even exercises.

Replacing with other things : Once it is identified by you that how much time you spend for social media, u can use half of time for other activities like exercise, learning skill or reading or sampling chatting with your family members and friends. I want to mention that you should choose activities which will bring you joy. Otherwise it will be very difficult to sustain with this for a longer period of time.

Tracking progress weekly: You should have a tracking progress and in order to conduct this process, you can take help of either online or offline procedure. The goal is to check whether your screen timing with respect to social media is educing with time or not. I think it is a very effective way to implement How to stop social media addiction.

Asking yourself this question: Apart from the allowed time, if your mind suggests you to open social media apps, ask yourself “Why am I opening this right now?”

If there’s no purpose, close it.

At the initial stage, you may feel it difficult but later you will find it very easy.

How does a social medium affect mental health negatively? 

Constant messages and notifications create pressure to respond quickly which leads to mental overload. In this way, anxiety and stress are created and therefore proper steps are required to be taken with respect to social media anxiety and depression. FOMO (Fear of missing out) is created by social media which also leads to stress and restlessness. Constant comparison creates low mood which leads to depression and sometimes it lead to clinical depression as well. By comparison the feelings of inadequacy can be created within any users.

With constant comparison of body image, one can feel low self esteem. In most cases it is created from likes and comments.  A Social media platform is designed to be habit-forming like endless scrolling, reels. Overuse of social media can affect productivity, concentration and daily routines. Sleep disturbance is another factor that can be mentioned under How does a social medium affect mental health negatively?. It generally happens when someone uses social media for a longer period of time in the night.  Social media creates social isolation and people may feel hesitated to use face communication. In this way, social media creates isolation rather than helping people to become social people.

 The aspect of social media anxiety and depression can be mentioned in the context of Cyberbullying and online harassment as well. Negative comments, hate speech as well as trolling can cause emotional trauma, anxiety and depression. You can go through about details of all emotional trauma, anxiety and depression in internet which will give you to increase your understanding about How does a social medium affect mental health negatively?.It is very bad for students because it can reduce attention span as well. Reduction of attention span is also not effective for those who are associated with professional filed as well. Emotional exhaustion and cognitive overload are some factors which can be mentioned under social media anxiety and depression for students as well. Negative self-comparison and reduction of well being are some negative consequences which will help you to understand How does a social medium affect mental health negatively?.If a student is not able to sustain well being in during the academic time, it will be very difficult for the student to maintain it during professional time as well.

What is social media addiction? 

Social media addiction refers to a behavioral condition where persons feel a compulsive as well as uncontrollable urge of using social media platforms excessively. It many times it is seen that people know What is social media addiction and the negative effects of it. In spite of this, they are not able to reduce the social media usage. The main characteristics of it includes difficulty reducing usage despite trying, constant urge to check social media and spending more than required on various social media like Facebook, Instagrm and Twitter among others. Irritability, anxiety and restlessness when not online are another thing that can be mentioned under this as well. Using social media for escaping stress or any kind of negative emotions is also required to be addressed in this regard as well. Along with understanding What is social media addiction, it is also important to understand Why Social Media Becomes Addictive?. When we get likes, comments and shares with respect to our post, it releases Dopamine and many of us do not have the capacity to ignore dopamine. FOMO (Fear of Missing Out) is another reason for which social media has become addictive as well. We are social animal and therefore Social validation plays a very important part in our life. I want to mention some psychological perspective of it as well. Low self-esteem, social anxiety, depression and Need for approval are some reasons with which also, social media addiction can be linked.

How to get rid of social media addiction 

I think if you really want to know How to get rid of social media addiction, it is important to follow the following steps.

• ·         Becoming aware of Your Usage
• ·         Setting  clear limits
• ·         Turning off notifications
• ·         Creating Phone-Free Zones
• ·         Replacing the habit
• ·         Reducing but do not stop it quickly
• ·         Practicing Mindfulness
• ·         Taking a Short Digital Detoxes
• ·         Strengtheing  Real-Life Connections
• ·         Seeking  support if needed

In my opinion try to learn something new this can bring joy to you as well. It is a wonderful way to identify How to get rid of social media addiction. Engaging activities like sports, yoga and gym can also be some effective initiatives that can be followed. 

How to break social media addiction 

Breaking social media addiction demands awareness and at the same time, consistency and structure is also demanded to break the addiction. The following things are required to be followed under this.

·         Accepting the problem (Admit that social media is affecting your time, focus, or mood)

·         Tracking and limiting usage (Check screen time daily)

·         Removing Triggers

·         Creating strong boundaries

·         Replacing scrolling with meaningful activities like Reading, yoga, Journaling and Talking to people face-to-face.

·         Practicing mindful use

·         Controlling your feed

·   Strengthening mental health (Eat healthy, Sleep well, Manage stress through meditation or exercise)

I think if you follow all these steps in a proper way, you by yourself will be able to understand How to break social media addiction. However, I want to mention that most of these are time-taking procedures and therefore you should be patient in this respect.