Overwhelmed by so many contradictory ideas about the implications of social networks, I tried to simplify it by drawing a scheme before writing the post for this week. However, it is a curious coincidence that the video as well as the article that brought me to this point were found in different social networks, even though both of them outline a critical vision of how we use social networks and smart phones.

Regarding the video ?Your brain on cell phones?, it was a friend of mine who uploaded it to Facebook. Just after I watched it, I thought that it was a good idea to choose Mayim Chaya Bialik to send the message. She is better known for her participation in the sitcom The Big Bang Theory than for her masters in neuroscience; nonetheless, from my point of view, it allows her to send a message that resonates with young people. Similar to what happened to her, the increase in the time spent on my mobile phone was pointed out by my sons. Am I addicted? I am not sure, but she has suggested that: ?It is time to take a good hard look at the way our lives have changed because of phones?.

In line with the above, I found an article on Twitter: ?Rebeli?n contra las redes socials?. It is a very thorough article where different aspects related to social networks are analyzed; some of them are in the picture published with this text. Among all of them, I would like to point out the fact that designers of social networks, complete experts on the human psyche, have made them addictive on purpose. It is an addiction similar to the ones caused by tobacco or alcohol, and that have the potential to become a public health problem.

In my case, I use different social networks daily, to share my posts among other reasons; therefore I must confess that I am addicted to them. Apart from this blog, I have profiles on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Linkedin. In addition, ?WhatsApp cannot be forgotten on this list, it is omnipresent.

This confession may be the first step in facing the reality that is social networks. At the same time, it may allow us to take the advantage of these communication tools, while offsetting their adverse effects. What about you, how do you use social networks? What Apps and sites do you use? Do you think you are addicted?

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