Selected Podcast

Is Social Media Unhealthy?

Is Social Media Unhealthy?

In today’s world, it’s not uncommon to see every person attached to a smartphone. In fact, according to research conducted from Business Insider, Americans spend an average of 37 minutes daily on social media, which is more time spent on any other major Internet activity, including email. Sixty percent of social media time is spent on smartphones and tablets.

Like any other habit, there are positives and negatives from spending your time on social media. When it starts to dominate your life, you might want to consider a social media detox.

Here's a question to ask yourself: You may have over 400 friends on Facebook, but does that make you fulfilled?

What do you lose and what do you gain when you move from face-to-face contact (and no, not "FaceTime") to electronic options?

The way you communicate with your significant other, best friend, colleagues and family is changing. Face-to-face interaction used to be the most important form of communication. However, now you get upset when it takes someone more than five minutes to respond via text.

Social media isn't ALL bad. Many people would say it's reconnected them with different family members and friends and continues to keep them communicating and connected. 

Researcher, author and professional speaker, Joanne Cantor, PhD, joins Dr. Pam Peeke and Michelle King Robson to discuss the growing rate of social media usage and if social media is becoming unhealthy.

Featured Speaker:
Joanne Cantor, PhD
Cantor Joanne Cantor, Ph.D., is Professor Emerita of Communication at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and Outreach Director of they University's Center for Communication Research.

She has published more than 90 scholarly articles and three books on the psychological impact of media and technology on adults and children. She regularly appears in the national press and has testified several times before Congress and the FCC.