The information age is upon us and it is a wonder the things we can access at the touch of a button. We can look up any subject or almost any information about a person.

So it is no wonder a group of young women have opted to create a page on Facebook where they can see if they have the same boyfriend. Amazing indeed. Pictures of young men are splashed across the forum and women who are members of the private group then get to concur if the person is monogamous or a cheater.

So what is all the fuss about? Are the men afraid that they will be caught out? Legally the administrators of the site are not breaching any laws and surely the police resources can be used elsewhere in a more productive manner.

However this points to a very concerning problem which is stemming out of control not only among the youth but in grown adults as well. The addiction to social media. How many times have we been to a function and people are glued to their electronic devices? Little children are given these devices to keep them occupied and we have them hooked on from a very young age and then we complain that the children are not getting off their devices and doing anything constructive around the house.

Social media can be an extremely valuable platform for a wide variety of uses, but it can also be very dangerous if used incorrectly. The negative impact social media can have on one's mental well-being is a serious issue.

Social media can provide incredible opportunities, but it can be dangerous if abused. Interaction on social media and the number of followers someone has cannot replace real-life human interaction, but users become so wrapped up in their lives on social media that they miss out on quality human interaction.

This is not healthy. You must spend time with family and friends — with your phone tucked away. Spending quality time with those close to you should be a priority. No amount of technology can replace the mental stimulation face-to-face discussions provide.

Rather than opening up your Instagram feed or Facebook, make plans to grab a coffee, go for a hike or anything else that you enjoy doing with family and friends. The little time you spend together will have a more meaningful and healthy impact than social media engagement.

Social comparison isn't anything new. People have been comparing themselves and their lives to those around them for a long time. Social media has just amplified this, as it's right in the users' faces when they open a social media app.

As soon as Instagram is opened, for example, there is an endless feed of what looks like the perfect life. From personal accomplishments, lavish vacations, expensive designer clothes and luxury cars — it can appear that everyone is living the perfect life.

A feeling of envy can result, but it's important to understand that social media is a highlight reel. It's not real-life. Nobody is going to post that they are having a bad day or take a selfie with no makeup on and post a picture with pimples.

Don't worry about what other people are doing. Instead, focus on your own life and the good things you are experiencing. Be grateful for what you have and stay focused on your dreams and goals without outside distractions. Don't let false narratives and fabricated social media lives lead you to stall or derail your own goals and progress.

When was the last time you were at a concert or sporting event? If you have attended a large event over the past few years, you've probably noticed that many people take pictures or videos nonstop. By doing this, they are missing out on the experience as it's intended.

If you are at a concert and your entire focus is on getting the perfect shot or capturing the perfect video clip, you are going to miss out on so much. These missed memories fly right by you while your focus is buried in your phone.

If you have done this in the past — don't worry we all have — ask yourself this: How many times did you go back and look at those pictures or video clips from the event? Probably not enough to justify missing out on the full experience.

Life around us moves quickly. Don't let amazing memories that have the potential to last a lifetime fly right past you because your head is buried in your phone.

There is nothing wrong with documenting an event or experience on social media. In the beginning, take a few pictures. Post if you want. But then put your phone away and enjoy the moment — take in all of the memories through your own eyes.

This should come as no surprise to anyone, but social media can be highly addictive. Most people who spend too much time on social media will be the first ones to tell you that they do. So why don't they reduce their time? Because it's highly addictive.

Think about how many times you open up Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat and Twitter. There are many reasons why social media is addictive, with one of them being the element of mystery. When you open up Instagram, what kind of content will you see? Instagram knows this — that's why its feed isn't in chronological order. The randomness enhances that mystery. This can result in the user falling down the social media rabbit hole, which can burn several hours of the day.

In November last year, Justice Vui Clarence Nelson in an opinion piece also clearly laid out the dangers we face with social media and the cyber world. While we stay addicted to the devices, do we really know what our children are watching or getting exposed to? There is cyberbullying, pornography and a whole lot things which are inappropriate. At the end of the day decision is yours.