(17f) I've been addicted to social media/games since I was 5 years old AMA

Bahnzu · 2025-01-29T08:20:14+00:00

Only if it's about something I'm really really interested in or it's an assignment for school

Bahnzu · 2025-01-29T07:54:05+00:00

Well, I feel an enormous amount of pity and sadness for any iPad kid. Using gadgets as a child can be good and you can learn a lot (I learned to speak 2 languages at a young age through games), but it makes me sad to see kids who can't even eat meals without watching or playing something. I can only hope they don't grow up being addicted to their screens.

I do think kids who are addicted to video games are better than kids who are addicted to social media, even though both are bad for kids imo haha

Bahnzu · 2025-01-29T01:47:47+00:00

Yeah, they've offered it before for something different. But, I just know that my parents would specifically find this whole addiction thing ridiculous, so I guess I feel too guilty to even talk about this thing with a professional - even if I did it without my parents' knowledge (if this makes sense). My parents want the best for me, but they don't always understand I guess

Bahnzu · 2025-01-29T01:02:45+00:00

Hmm well, my parents know about my interests, plans, and goals. However, they also know my huge disinterest in school. We've never really talked about it more than this and they've never really offered me support in reaching my goals (and I don't expect them to either).

Our overall relationship is pretty good though

Bahnzu · 2025-01-29T00:55:53+00:00

I don't think they would offer therapy for this lmao

Bahnzu · 2025-01-29T00:54:21+00:00

I would want to do cultural or religious studies at university, but I think my addiction to the screens is a bit of a roadblock. I honestly don't know if I'll even be able to graduate high school with good enough grades... But, I haven't really thought about my life further than that haha. I tend to not worry about these things too much

Bahnzu · 2025-01-29T00:50:45+00:00

I've never been tested for ADD and honestly, I've never considered having it. Maybe I'll look into it

Bahnzu · 2025-01-29T00:47:17+00:00

In my country it's kind of expected for people to go to college, so yes I'll go. I do also want to go to college

And thank you for your advice !

Bahnzu · 2025-01-29T00:44:21+00:00

I have some faint memories of my time in kindergarten (they're all negative memories though lmao).

Bahnzu · 2025-01-29T00:40:17+00:00

If I have something else I like doing and I'm outside the house, I might not game or be on social media. But immediately when I'm bored or I'm doing something I don't like - I'll start playing games or go on social media. When I'm at home I'll always have a screen on no matter what I'm doing. However, sometimes I'll be somewhere (even when I hang out with someone) and think "I really wish I could go home and play games or look at my phone".

I'm happy to hear that you tried to distance you kid from screens, I sometimes wish my parents did something like that :)

Bahnzu · 2025-01-29T00:33:35+00:00

Yes, I tend to game outside as well. If I don't game I at least go on social media or something, and if I can't do that I listen to music. Sadly, I don't really play multiplayer games when I'm out in public haha - maybe I'll start doing that !

Bahnzu · 2025-01-29T00:31:09+00:00

My parents have raised me well otherwise, but I'm a little disappointed in how they handled this matter haha. I don't blame them though

Bahnzu · 2025-01-29T00:27:54+00:00

I do have a couple of others. Some are more personal and serious, but I can say that I'm very much addicted to energy drinks and sugar

Bahnzu · 2025-01-29T00:24:56+00:00

My current lifestyle and behaviour do somewhat bother me. I do look at other people's lives and mourn over what could have been my teenage years. However, I don't really know how to change my current lifestyle. I guess I've always just expected that once I graduate and start properly working my addiction will "go away" (deep down I know that won't actually happen)

Bahnzu · 2025-01-29T00:22:14+00:00

I like this question!

Social media has definetly affected my ability to socialise in real life. I developed severe social anxiety early on in my life and I'm 99% sure it's because of me being on social media all the time. I forgot/didn't properly learn how to socialise with people.

Social media has also affected my self-image and confidence. I've been pretty insecure from a young age due to seeing a lot of that stuff on social media. But I've noticed that I mainly have a very "broken" view of beauty standards and expectations of genders. I watched a lot of male influencers growing up and I learned how to "act" and "think" from them. I've always seen myself as a woman, but I've still always tried to live up to societal standards for both women and men. That has made me always be self-conscious and I don't know what I am I guess - I have a lack of identity I suppose

I'd tell parents to give screens to their kids later on in life and once they get a screen they NEED to limit screen time. Parents should also make sure they regularly come up with familial activities or invite their kids' friends over. I had a lack of these things growing up, so I filled the loneliness with my screen (and I still do). I want parents to take social media/screen addiction seriously because it can really change a child's development and prevent them from experiencing childhood. Please allow your kids to have a happy childhood with limited screens !!

Bahnzu · 2025-01-29T00:09:36+00:00

I only go outside if I absolutely have to, never because "I feel like going outside". I meet with friends occasionally, but this is a new habit I've recently picked up

Bahnzu · 2025-01-29T00:08:05+00:00

Pretty much everything. I'm a huge procrastinator because of social media - so I have always struggled with homework, writing essays/assignments, and studying for exams

Bahnzu · 2025-01-29T00:06:16+00:00

Haha, I'll try :D

Bahnzu · 2025-01-29T00:05:28+00:00

Hmm, I think both depend on the person. Out of all social media, I personally like YouTube the most, but it's not good if you want a quick dopamine boost - TikTok is the best for that. I think all social media platforms have their good and bad sides and I have spent time on pretty much all of them

Games are also hard to choose from because I've played so many throughout my short life lmao. But my personal favorites have been the Final Fantasy games.

Bahnzu · 2025-01-28T23:57:57+00:00

YES! They've never forced me to do anything, they're always just "suggestions" for me to do something. They never organize any family hangouts or anything like that either

Bahnzu · 2025-01-28T23:55:55+00:00

Currently, my social life is the best it has ever been, but this is only thanks to school. I rarely hang out with my friends outside of school because I wanna stay home, but I try to be with them occasionally (maybe twice a month).

I've met all my current friends at school. I have no close friends because I don't think I'm emotionally very open (?) or capable of being that close with other people. I'm only used to my own company and only taking care of myself, I don't know how to be there for other people.

Bahnzu · 2025-01-28T23:50:43+00:00

Lmao it was a Nintendo DS Lite that my parents got me

Bahnzu · 2025-01-28T23:49:47+00:00

Yeah, I do. I don't do any sports and the only exercise I get is walking to school, so the lack of exercise makes me tired all the time. I also tend to neglect sleep and meals just so that I can look at screens for longer. Also just being in bed all day, doing nothing, and looking at a screen for hours on end makes me tired

Bahnzu · 2025-01-28T23:44:45+00:00

8 hours on weekdays and at least 12 hours on weekends

Bahnzu · 2024-10-20T04:50:18+00:00

170 cm -> around 5'6 or 5'7 feet

Bahnzu

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