How Wanting 'Likes' on Social Media Is Killing Our Capacity for Actual Joy (Infographic) 'I disciplined my son and he threw a tantrum that I thought was so funny that I disciplined him again just so I could video it,' wrote one participant in a new study about social media addiction.

By Geoff Weiss

Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

A new study has found that, for many, being "liked" on social media is more important than being liked in reality, which can lead to odd behavior and an inability to enjoy life in the moment.

The online survey of more than 1,600 participants concluded that we have become social media "trophy hunters" -- with 58 percent of respondents claiming that attempting to hone the perfect post has prevented them from enjoying life. The survey was conducted by behaviorists and best-selling authors Joseph Grenny and David Maxfield.

Perhaps worst of all is that 79 percent of respondents reported witnessing parents neglect events in the lives of their children in the name of a good share. One mother even described re-disciplining her 3-year-old son after he threw a tantrum in order to film it for Instagram.

Related: The Case Against Sharing Your Epic Vacation Photos on Social Media

As a result of social media, participants also admitted to neglecting their loved ones, driving recklessly, being humiliated while snapping selfies in public, and posting things that they would never otherwise say in real life.

"'Likes' are a low-effort way to produce a counterfeit feeling of social well-being that takes more effort to achieve in the real world," Grenny concluded. "This study is a warning that we are beginning to value virtual pleasure hits more than authentic happiness."

However, the duo does have advice for those hoping to quell their compulsions. They advise occasionally disconnecting from devices altogether, for instance, as well as limiting overall post quantities. "If you post more than once a day," they say, "you probably have a problem."

Related: We Need to Stop Blaming Social Media For Stressing Us Out

Check out more stats and tips in the infographic below:

Click to Enlarge+

Society's New Addiction: Getting A

Related: iPhone Separation Anxiety Is an Actual Problem, Study Finds

Geoff Weiss

Former Staff Writer

Geoff Weiss is a former staff writer at Entrepreneur.com.

Want to be an Entrepreneur Leadership Network contributor? Apply now to join.

Side Hustle

This 30-Year-Old's $6,000-a-Month Side Hustle Started Making Money 'Immediately' — But He's Not Quitting His Day Job

Derrick Mathy works in orthopedic surgical device sales and is on a mission to bring people together in real life.

Business Solutions

ChatGPT Isn't Cutting It for Busy Professionals Anymore

Find out where they're turning instead.

Business Ideas

70 Small Business Ideas to Start in 2025

We put together a list of the best, most profitable small business ideas for entrepreneurs to pursue in 2025.

Business News

'Unprecedented in Our 53-Year History': Southwest Airlines Announces Its First Mass Layoffs Ever

The airline is eliminating 15% of its corporate workforce, including many in senior leadership positions.

Side Hustle

This 31-Year-Old Spends 2 Hours Per Week On His $3,000-a-Month Passive Income Side Hustle: 'Trust Your Vision'

Hansel Moore's home office "wasn't cutting it" — so he found another place to be creative.

Business News

Elon Musk's xAI Claims Its New Grok 3 AI Is Better Than ChatGPT and DeepSeek: 'Seeing the Beginnings of Creativity'

xAI debuted the new AI on Monday, claiming it has 10 times the computational power of Grok 2.