Gran Misión Ciencia carries out research on the effects of social networks

Published at: 21/11/2024 09:25 AM

The research agenda of the Great Science, Technology and Innovation Mission “Dr. Humberto Fernández-Morán” includes projects on infodemic, disinformation, anxiety and depression caused by social networks, Minister Gabriela Jiménez informed.

In this regard, as reported by the Venezuelan News Agency (AVN), he explained that research shows that the use of social networks activates the dopaminergic system and its influence on behavior.

He warned of the psychoemotional consequences of the social media model, to which young people are exposed.

He added that there is a demand for attention and a bombardment of “information” that perpetuates the addictive mentality.

He stressed that the “lack of constant attention on social networks has created a vicious circle of anxiety, loneliness and depression due to the lack of receiving the virtual reward, this in relation to young people who do not receive a like or any interaction through the networks.

“Taken together, social media can be harmful by distorting our self-image, and while social media platforms help us connect, they can also, ironically, make us feel isolated, reduce our self-confidence and diminish our overall sense of well-being,” he said.

In this regard, and given that these platforms have evolved rapidly, “there is a need to establish limits between what is beneficial and what is potentially harmful to our mental health,” he said.

“While social media companies should play a role in mitigating addictive social media behavior, it would also seem contradictory to the overall business model. The civilization and economic model has real responsibilities in the face of the 21st century Anxiety and Depression Epidemic,” he said.

Mazo News Team