Do you find yourself constantly checking social networking status updates or "stalking" people's profiles for hours on end?
If the answer is YES, then you're probably a social media addict but don't worry you can learn more about this addiction and how to overcome it below. Description + FactsFirstly, What is Social Media Addiction?
Well, Social Media Addiction is simply a term used to describe persons who spend way too much time on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and/or other forms of social media so much so that it interferes with various important aspects of their daily lives such as work or school. (Source: What is Social Media Addiction? via About Tech) |
Did you know that social networking accounts for more than 25% of all time spent online? Also, did you know that collectively, 39,757 years of our time is spent on Facebook alone in a single day and that's not even considering the numerous other social media sites people visit on a daily basis! According to studies conducted in 2014, teenage users spend at least 3 hours a day on average on social media while users between the ages of 20 to 29 were found to spend about 2 hours on their social media accounts. (Source: Social Media Addiction Stats via Adweek Social Times) We are obviously living in a very media - obsessed society, one in which 500 million tweets are sent per day and 1.28 billion people use Facebook on a regular basis, but does this mean that spending more than 3 hours a day on Twitter or Facebook reading random tweets or scrolling through one's news feed mean you're a Social Media Addict? One could argue that they were just keeping up to date with current affairs for work and school or keeping in touch with friends and family, a basic necessity of social life. (Source: Social Media 2014 Statistics via Digital Insights) |
So how does one know if they are truly addicted to social media?
Since social media has become not only a vehicle of communication but a reason to communicate and share personal thoughts and ideas, it is has become very hard to tell whether social media use has become a damaging addiction versus a necessary part of daily communication.
(Source: Does Social Media Addiction Really Exist? via South University)
However, below are some tell tale signs that you are addicted to social media and desperately need help before it is too late.
Since social media has become not only a vehicle of communication but a reason to communicate and share personal thoughts and ideas, it is has become very hard to tell whether social media use has become a damaging addiction versus a necessary part of daily communication.
(Source: Does Social Media Addiction Really Exist? via South University)
However, below are some tell tale signs that you are addicted to social media and desperately need help before it is too late.
Signs + Symptoms
Sign #1 : The very first thing you do after waking up in the morning is to reach for your phone / laptop / tablet to check for any new notifications on Facebook, Twitter and such.
Sign #2: The very last thing you do before going to sleep is to scroll through your Instagram or any other social media newsfeed checking for updates. Sign #3 : You are constantly checking your phone or any other mobile device every few minutes for any notification on Facebook or Twitter mentions even in the company of others and during work or school. Sign #4 : You spend at least 4 hours a day on social media, thereby isolating yourself away from friends and family. Sign#5 : You share EVERYTHING. You literally announce to everyone on social media what you are doing, feeling, seeing or even how you are looking along with your location every day, every hour. Sign #6 : You feel sad or inadequate when others don't like your pictures on Instagram or posts on Facebook and Twitter and become obsessive about getting likes so much so that you like your own content. Sign#7 : You believe life is more happening on social media than in reality and therefore find yourself using the phrase "hashtag" in normal conversations. #addict. Sign #8: You think your friend is an alien from some distant other planet if he or she does not have a social media account. Sign #9 : You love to stalk your friends via Facebook, Twitter and other social media accounts or even people you just met. Sign #10: You are constantly snapping "selfies" and random pictures so much so that every meal you eat automatically ends up on social media in some way or form. |
(Sources: 30 Signs of Social Media Addiction via Yahoo! Small Business 5 Signs You Should Take A Break From Social Media via The Huffington Post 12 Signs That You're Addicted To Social Media via The Telegraph) |
Types of Social Networking
Advantages
Disadvantages
Causes and Effects
Social networking is usually a positive way to stay connected to family, friends and businesses. When social media gets in the way of daily living and you spend most of your time online, an addiction to social networking may be the cause. Determining if the effects of social media get in the way of having a fulfilling life isn't always easy. Social Media Addiction Disorder is a psychological disorder involving tolerance, withdrawal symptoms, affective disturbances and interruption of social relationships. Addiction to anything should be taken seriously, as the term “addict” immediately connotes that a stimulant changes the way a person behaves. For instance, a study by Anxiety UK showed that social media causes anxiety, as 45% of its respondents said they feel uncomfortable and worried when they are not able to access their social accounts and emails. Moreover, 60% of the respondents even said they need to switch off their gadgets altogether just to refrain themselves from checking their social media accounts. With these in mind, what are the common effects of social media addiction?
Another controversial effect of social media is its widespread use for cyber-bullying. Many people have cried out to stop this from happening. But considering the number of users and no one to regulate online activities, it is still predominantly happening sources http://www.brandignity.com/2012/09/social-media-addiction/ http://www.slideshare.net/SATYAM06/social-networking-effects-32574383 |
Positive Effects Of Social Media Social media addiction is not always bad after all. The positive impact of social media includes:
Social Media Statistic |
Fixing the Addiction
- Unplugging: take breaks when using social media
- remove cell phone apps
- Prioritize
- use network productively
- track your time online
- talk a walk outside
- spend more time with close friends and family
- stop procrastination
Social media has helped users bridge that physical gap with their friends and relatives. However, the adverse effects of its frequent use have also started to show. The question remains then: is social media a good thing or a bad thing? The answer to this is quite simple—as the old adage goes, anything used in excess becomes bad. Regulation is the only way users can provide a clear demarcation line between their real life and their cyber life.
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