Could social media be the new abstinence programme?
A new study has found that young people are more inclined to choose social media over sex.For seven consecutive days, 250 participants identified yearnings to interact through tweets, photos and comments as the most difficult stimulants to turn down; more tempting even than sex. The study also showed that the more the participants tried to resist social media, the higher the craving became.
So could social media be the best sexual deterrent we have seen?
If we think about it, of course it is, and there are several reasons for this:
1. Social media is an isolated activity and therefore takes place alone, conversing with people who are not close to you. So you can flirt, chat and even talk a little dirty if you wish in the absolute knowledge that this will not go any further.
2. Sex fulfils our need to love and belong as can social media. Research has show that being on social media releases the chemical called oxytocin – the cuddle hormone. So social media fulfils their need to love and belong by its very nature, so why feel the need to go out and get in a complicated relationship when the internet can give you the same hit but quicker?
Pliny the Elder was on to something when he said, “What we do to our children, they will do to society.” If his words are to ring true, then we are in for a whole lot of trouble.
