Social Media Addiction, Body Image & Mental Health Explained

Social media has transformed the way we connect — but at what cost to our health, posture, and body image? In this video, physiotherapist and health educator Daniel Lawrence explores how smartphone use, social media addiction, and the “Great Rewiring” are shaping physical and mental well-being.

You’ll learn:
-How smartphone notifications and social media apps are designed to keep us hooked
-The link between social media use, anxiety, and depression in young people
-Why body image concerns affect men and women differently online
-The connection between body image, eating disorders, and exercise motivation
-How smartphone use in the gym impacts posture, performance, and long-term musculoskeletal health

Drawing on leading research by Jonathan Haidt, Christopher Bell, and others, this video explains the psychology behind the “hook model,” variable reinforcement, and why the adolescent brain is especially vulnerable to digital addiction.

Key topics covered:
-Social media and mental health
-Social media and body image (men vs women)
-Phantom vibration syndrome and digital distractions
-Smartphone addiction and sedentary behaviour
-The impact of posture and forward head position on breathing and physical health
-Practical recommendations for healthier digital habits

If you want to understand the science behind how the digital world shapes our physical and mental well-being — and learn strategies to build a healthier relationship with your body and technology — this video is for you.

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