Focusing attention on social media platforms could affect how the brain works in real time. One study at UCSD monitored teenagers' brains while they focused on Instagram. When they viewed their feeds, the areas of their brains associated with rewards were lit up.
Evidence indicates that concentrating on electronic devices like smartphones and tablets can stimulate dopamine release. Dopamine is a "feel-good" neurotransmitter involved in cravings and desire. Spending too much time on social media could be the equivalent of swallowing a few "uppers."