A man in his thirties, Mr. A, was working in his office as usual when he attempted to check social media during his afternoon break. Suddenly, he discovered that all conversations with his close friend, Mr. B, had vanished, along with Mr. B’s profile picture. The disappearance of these interactions, which had been a brief source of energy in his busy life, left Mr. A bewildered. He couldn’t understand how their relationship had abruptly changed in such a manner. In Japan last year, there was a common trend of people abruptly cutting off relationships, almost as if resetting human connections had become a cultural phenomenon. This behavior led to the coining of the term ‘Reset Syndrome’.
1. Definition of Reset Syndrome
This syndrome is akin to hitting the ‘reset’ button on a computer to easily solve a problem. It stems from a misconception that one can reset their life in the real world just as easily. The term originated in 1997 in Kobe, Japan, following the publicized case of a middle school student, addicted to computer games, who committed a heinous crime against a younger child.
2. Social Impact and Characteristics of Reset Syndrome
In modern society, particularly among the MZ generation, there’s a noticeable trend of ‘network dieting,’ which can also be classified as a type of Reset Syndrome. These individuals frequently change their phones or contacts, and block friends, mirroring the key symptoms of Reset Syndrome – deleting contacts and social media accounts to rearrange human connections during moments of wanting to hide or in conflicts.
Who does Reset Syndrome typically affect? It’s prevalent among those deeply engaged in social media and online activities. The digital world’s transient nature, where actions like ‘on and off’ of devices or ‘login and logout’ of social media are temporary, fosters an environment conducive to easy ‘resets.’
Reset Syndrome reflects contemporary trends towards individualism and superficial relationships in our society. People increasingly avoid resolving conflicts or problems, preferring to terminate or reset relationships instead.
The syndrome is particularly noticeable among those who excessively use social media and form shallow relationships, especially those who actively use unfollow or block features. It also poses a higher risk to those with underlying conditions like depression or anxiety or those with avoidance tendencies.
3. Negative Outcomes
Individuals afflicted with Reset Syndrome often blur the lines between virtual and real worlds. They easily get frustrated, abandon pursuits at the slightest dissatisfaction, and sever relationships over minor conflicts. Continuous resets can detrimentally impact their problem-solving and conflict resolution abilities, leading to social difficulties and possibly evolving into solitary or reclusive personalities.
Moreover, Reset Syndrome can sometimes lead to serious crimes. Offenders might believe that just pressing a reset button will resolve all issues, preventing them from feeling remorse for their actions. For instance, a young student, overconfident in driving due to video games, once caused an accident involving multiple vehicles with their parent’s car.
4. Prevention Measures for Reset Syndrome
To overcome it, it’s important to manage online activities appropriately. Taking time away from smartphones and engaging in real-life interactions is important. One must be cautious not to let online relationships dominate their life. Maintaining a balance between reality and the virtual world is vital. Seeking professional medical assistance is advisable for severe cases, and concurrent treatment for underlying conditions is necessary.
Ultimately, Reset Syndrome is a side effect of our digitalized modern society. Recognizing and appropriately responding to it is essential. Maintaining a healthy balance in social media usage is crucial for our relationships and mental health.