I think the analogy flows through the idea that, like drinking in bars, posting on (some kinds of) social media can be used to make friends and/or deepen existi

I think the analogy flows through the idea that, like drinking in bars, posting on (some kinds of) social media can be used to make friends and/or deepen existing relationships; and that people often excuse a pattern of abuse of {alcohol, social media} as actually having this goal. Something this analogy through-line makes me notice, is that we have clear cultural images of what a healthy use of alcohol looks like — going out for cocktails with friends; having wine with dinner; etc; vs. what alcohol abuse looks like — day-drinking, drinking alone, drinking until you pass out, etc. But we don't (yet) have similar cultural images for what healthy vs. unhealthy/abusive social-media participation looks like.