There’s a silent epidemic unfolding right in front of us, and no one’s really talking about it in the way they should. It’s not a war. It’s not a natural disaster. It’s not even political upheaval. It’s something far more insidious—something we willingly participate in every single day.
Social media is farming our attention, hijacking our dopamine, and leaving an entire generation drowning in anxiety. And the worst part? We’re not even stopping to question it.
We are living in an era of hyper-connectivity, yet somehow, we’ve never been lonelier. Studies show that despite having constant access to people, our ability to form deep, meaningful relationships is eroding. Instead, we scroll mindlessly, seeking validation through likes, shares, and comments—none of which actually fulfill us.
Social media companies aren’t just connecting people; they’re engineering addiction. The endless dopamine loops—notifications, viral trends, algorithm-driven content—keep us coming back for more, yet leave us feeling emptier than before. This is why anxiety and depression have skyrocketed, particularly among young people.
Dr. Anna Lembke, a leading expert in addiction, explains it perfectly:
“Social media is a drug. We have a basic biological imperative to connect with other people. That directly affects the release of dopamine and the reward pathway.”
(Redeemed Life Counseling)
I see this firsthand with my daughters. Kila, at 16, is already experiencing the brutal consequences of comparison culture, where self-worth is measured in engagement rates rather than real-world experiences. Cali, older and more aware, wrestles with it in a different way—conscious of its traps but still navigating its pull.
And then there are the girls I coach in high school lacrosse. They’re constantly on edge, not just about their athletic performance but how that performance looks online. A win doesn’t count unless it’s posted. A moment isn’t real unless it’s curated for an audience.
This is what we’ve created—a system where reality is filtered, manipulated, and repackaged for digital approval. And the cost? An entire generation of young people growing up without real confidence, only digital affirmation.
Let’s talk about happiness. Because, statistically, we’re failing at it.
According to the latest World Happiness Report, the United States ranks 24th in global happiness. We’re trailing behind countries with fewer resources, lower GDP, and, shockingly, less technological advancement.
So, what’s driving this decline?
Happiness isn’t just about financial security. Researchers assess well-being based on:
“As the level of social media addiction increases, life satisfaction and happiness levels decrease.”
(ResearchGate)
Social media actively erodes many of these pillars. It fosters isolation rather than connection. It creates the illusion of choice while trapping us in an algorithmic loop of sameness. It distorts generosity into performative activism. It fuels distrust and division. And worst of all, it’s making people deeply, chronically anxious.
Humans are wired to seek pleasure. That’s where dopamine comes in—the brain’s reward chemical. It’s what makes food taste better, sex feel euphoric, and accomplishments feel fulfilling. But social media? It’s hijacked that system.
“Every time you get a like, your brain releases a small hit of dopamine. That rush feels good, but over time, it creates dependency. The more we engage, the more we crave.”
(The Sun)
And just like any drug, we start to build tolerance—needing more likes, more validation, more engagement just to feel the same baseline level of satisfaction.
When the validation doesn’t come? Anxiety. Depression. A sense of worthlessness.
“Facebook usage significantly increased the frequency of users experiencing negative emotions, including envy, feeling having inferior lives, and depression.”
(SSRN)
This is why we now have a generation of young people whose nervous systems are wired for instant gratification but whose real-world resilience is at an all-time low. They don’t know how to tolerate discomfort, failure, or even boredom—because they’ve never had to. There’s always been a screen ready to medicate them.
So, where does that leave us? Do we delete our accounts? Move to a remote island? Pretend social media doesn’t exist?
No. But we do have to rethink how we use it.
For me, it comes down to balance, awareness, and discipline.
I use social media for connection, not validation. My brand, my business, my impact—I create and engage with purpose. I refuse to let the algorithm dictate my self-worth.
I teach my daughters and my athletes to be aware. They need to see social media for what it is—a tool, not a truth. They need to know that what they see is curated, not real.
I impose discipline. Time limits, content curation, intentional engagement. The moment social media starts controlling me instead of the other way around, I step back.
Because happiness isn’t found in an app—it’s found in life.
“Most individuals in social networks experience a so-called Friendship Paradox: they are less popular than their friends on average.”
(arXiv)
The reality is, social media isn’t going anywhere. But we don’t have to let it shape us into anxious, disconnected, dopamine-addicted zombies. We do have a choice.
Are you in control of your social media use, or is it controlling you?
Let’s talk about it. Hit reply or drop a comment—how do you manage the impact of social media in your life?
Deevo
Founder, The Brand Storyteller
thebrandstoryteller.com
Deevo: Brand Strategist | Storyteller | Entrepreneur
Deevo is a seasoned entrepreneur, branding strategist, and personal brand architect who has built multiple businesses from the ground up. His philosophy? Your brand isn’t what you sell—it’s what you stand for. Through strategic coaching, storytelling, and content creation, he helps entrepreneurs and leaders become the niche instead of just competing in one.
Known for his no-BS approach to branding, Deevo specializes in crafting compelling narratives that cut through the noise and position his clients as industry leaders. Whether he’s strategizing brand dominance, capturing stories through photography, or pushing the boundaries of thought leadership, Deevo is on a mission to help businesses and individuals build brands that actually matter.
When he’s not coaching or creating, you’ll probably find him drinking absurd amounts of coffee, challenging conventional wisdom, or refining the next big brand strategy.
Want to build a brand that stands out? Let’s talk.