Social media networks have helped facilitate a more innovative way for people to stay connected regardless of the physical distance. Even business owners flocked into the social media scene to promote their products and services. Due to this advancement in the communications and technological front, social media networks are now used to measure current and potential buyers’ behavior that can likely affect market trends and consumption patterns.
However, this phenomenon paved the way for a new kind of addiction. Nowadays, social media addicts comprise a noticeable percentage of "Netizens". In a study conducted by the University of Chicago, results showed that Facebook and Twitter, the top two leading social sites, are more addictive than cigarettes and alcohol.
However, this phenomenon paved the way for a new kind of addiction. Nowadays, social media addicts comprise a noticeable percentage of "Netizens". In a study conducted by the University of Chicago, results showed that Facebook and Twitter, the top two leading social sites, are more addictive than cigarettes and alcohol.
What is Social Media?
Social media is the interaction among people in which they create, share or exchange information and ideas in virtual communities and networks. Andreas Kaplan and Michael Haenlein define social media as "a group of Internet-based applications that build on the ideological and technological foundations of Web 2.0, and that allow the creation and exchange of user-generated content." Furthermore, social media depend on mobile and web-based technologies to create highly interactive platforms through which individuals and communities share, co-create, discuss, and modify user-generated content. They introduce substantial and pervasive changes to communication between organizations, communities, and individuals.
Social media differ from traditional or industrial media in many ways, including quality, reach, frequency, usability, immediacy, and permanence. There are many effects that stem from internet usage. According to Nielsen, internet users continue to spend more time with social media sites than any other type of site. At the same time, the total time spent on social media in the U.S. across PC and mobile devices increased by 37 percent to 121 billion minutes in July 2012 compared to 88 billion minutes in July 2011. For content contributors, the benefits of participating in social media have gone beyond simply social sharing to building reputation and bringing in career opportunities and monetary income, as discussed in Tang, Gu, and Whinston (2012).
Social media differ from traditional or industrial media in many ways, including quality, reach, frequency, usability, immediacy, and permanence. There are many effects that stem from internet usage. According to Nielsen, internet users continue to spend more time with social media sites than any other type of site. At the same time, the total time spent on social media in the U.S. across PC and mobile devices increased by 37 percent to 121 billion minutes in July 2012 compared to 88 billion minutes in July 2011. For content contributors, the benefits of participating in social media have gone beyond simply social sharing to building reputation and bringing in career opportunities and monetary income, as discussed in Tang, Gu, and Whinston (2012).
Why is Social Media so addictive?
A recent Harvard University study showed that disclosing personal information activates the same part of the brain that gives pleasure when a person enjoys good food, receiving money or having sex. Although the actual sensation between all of these is different, the study tells one that the human brain considers sharing experiences a pleasurable one – and part of being human is to constantly seek things which gives much pleasure.
Those with addictive personalities are more prone to becoming addicted to anything – food, money, sex, social media – or anything else which gives humans pleasure.
Social media addicts become addicted not to the actual act of tweeting, friending, poking or posting, rather, they become addicted to the pleasure derived from those actions.
That’s why breaking out of an addiction is so hard – because although they know that one should be doing something else, it pains them to stop. Ending something pleasurable is a very tough thing. Just ask anyone who’s tried to quit smoking, lose weight, or refrain from sexual intercourse.
Those with addictive personalities are more prone to becoming addicted to anything – food, money, sex, social media – or anything else which gives humans pleasure.
Social media addicts become addicted not to the actual act of tweeting, friending, poking or posting, rather, they become addicted to the pleasure derived from those actions.
That’s why breaking out of an addiction is so hard – because although they know that one should be doing something else, it pains them to stop. Ending something pleasurable is a very tough thing. Just ask anyone who’s tried to quit smoking, lose weight, or refrain from sexual intercourse.
What are the Effects of Social Media Addiction?
Lack of focus on work and/or studies
This is the greatest effect of social media. Since users are in need to be constantly updated on what’s going on in their own network, they tend to forgo some of the things that need to be attended to, giving the excuse that they are simply online to communicate with friends. If this continues, it can lead to one losing his or her job or ultimately flunking out of school.
Detached social life
The more time one spends online, the lesser time he or she spends in the real world. Having a healthy social life is important to develop a person’s emotional quotient. Having kids and teenagers spend hours online, however, hinders their social interaction with people. Confidence and self-esteem are also affected and can be a cause of a multitude of other effects.
Psychological effects
Voyeurism- Neil Vidyarthi, managing editor of Social Times, believes that social networking opens doors for voyeuristic tendencies, as users can easily peek into other people’s lives. Every user of any social networking site can gain access to the details of another user (e.g. current location), whether they are direct contacts or virtual strangers, despite the privacy settings involved.
Cyber Bullying- 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.
This is the greatest effect of social media. Since users are in need to be constantly updated on what’s going on in their own network, they tend to forgo some of the things that need to be attended to, giving the excuse that they are simply online to communicate with friends. If this continues, it can lead to one losing his or her job or ultimately flunking out of school.
Detached social life
The more time one spends online, the lesser time he or she spends in the real world. Having a healthy social life is important to develop a person’s emotional quotient. Having kids and teenagers spend hours online, however, hinders their social interaction with people. Confidence and self-esteem are also affected and can be a cause of a multitude of other effects.
Psychological effects
Voyeurism- Neil Vidyarthi, managing editor of Social Times, believes that social networking opens doors for voyeuristic tendencies, as users can easily peek into other people’s lives. Every user of any social networking site can gain access to the details of another user (e.g. current location), whether they are direct contacts or virtual strangers, despite the privacy settings involved.
Cyber Bullying- 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.
Factors that lead to addiction!
Anxiety
A person that uses social media as a distraction from dealing with the bigger problems in life. By communicating with anonymous people around the world about their lives, they can ignore their own problems.
Depression
Social media makes them feel better because it gives them pleasure, but too much time online makes things worse, by contributing to stress, isolation and loneliness.
Addictive Personality Type
If they have other addictions, such as drugs, alcohol, gambling or sex, they could have an addictive personality. This personality type is more prone to other addictions – and they could add social media to their list of addictions.
Loneliness
They lack the support of friends and family in the real world, so they seek out new relationships online. However, the lack of real world friends and family leaves them vulnerable to being taken advantage of online, or developing relationships which aren’t real, and just add to their loneliness and depression.
Stress
Many use the Internet to relieve stress, others spend so much time online, it causes even more stress. It becomes a never ending cycle, where they feel the need to go online to check their social networks, yet they realize they have to do other things in the day, which they won’t have time for.
A person that uses social media as a distraction from dealing with the bigger problems in life. By communicating with anonymous people around the world about their lives, they can ignore their own problems.
Depression
Social media makes them feel better because it gives them pleasure, but too much time online makes things worse, by contributing to stress, isolation and loneliness.
Addictive Personality Type
If they have other addictions, such as drugs, alcohol, gambling or sex, they could have an addictive personality. This personality type is more prone to other addictions – and they could add social media to their list of addictions.
Loneliness
They lack the support of friends and family in the real world, so they seek out new relationships online. However, the lack of real world friends and family leaves them vulnerable to being taken advantage of online, or developing relationships which aren’t real, and just add to their loneliness and depression.
Stress
Many use the Internet to relieve stress, others spend so much time online, it causes even more stress. It becomes a never ending cycle, where they feel the need to go online to check their social networks, yet they realize they have to do other things in the day, which they won’t have time for.
How do I know there is a problem?
Lost Time
Do they lose track of time? Do they frequently find themselves online longer than they intended to be? Does a few minutes turn into a few hours? Do they get irritated or upset if their time online is interrupted?
Other Tasks Don’t Get Done
Do they skip meals to stay online? Does laundry or other chores not get done? Do they stay up late online, when they do already know they need to go to bed for an early day? Do they miss appointments, meetings, or constantly run late because they spent too much time online?
Isolation
Do they feel nobody in the real world understands them? Do they think their online friends are more important than those they have known for a long time in the real world? Have they got into arguments or even broken up with their spouse or partner because of the amount of time they spend online? Are they neglecting their family and friends because the people they interact with online seem more “real?”
Guilty or Defensive Feelings
Do they feel guilty or get defensive about their social media habits? Are they sick of their spouse nagging them to get off the computer, or to put their smartphone down? Have they ever hidden or lied to their family and friends about what they were doing, to avoid getting nagged about their social media use? Have they ever lied or hid their social media use from their boss? Do they tend to feel guilty or shameful when others approach them while they are online?
Nothing Beats Social Media
Do they feel a sense of euphoria while online? Have they ever used social media for sexual gratification or excitement? Do they use the Internet when they are stressed out, sad, or otherwise unhappy, to give them joy? Have they tried to limit their social media time, but failed?
Physical Symptoms of Social Media Addiction
Do they suffer from Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, dry eyes/eye strain, back aches/neck aches, severe headaches, lack of sleep, pronounced weight loss or gain?
Do they lose track of time? Do they frequently find themselves online longer than they intended to be? Does a few minutes turn into a few hours? Do they get irritated or upset if their time online is interrupted?
Other Tasks Don’t Get Done
Do they skip meals to stay online? Does laundry or other chores not get done? Do they stay up late online, when they do already know they need to go to bed for an early day? Do they miss appointments, meetings, or constantly run late because they spent too much time online?
Isolation
Do they feel nobody in the real world understands them? Do they think their online friends are more important than those they have known for a long time in the real world? Have they got into arguments or even broken up with their spouse or partner because of the amount of time they spend online? Are they neglecting their family and friends because the people they interact with online seem more “real?”
Guilty or Defensive Feelings
Do they feel guilty or get defensive about their social media habits? Are they sick of their spouse nagging them to get off the computer, or to put their smartphone down? Have they ever hidden or lied to their family and friends about what they were doing, to avoid getting nagged about their social media use? Have they ever lied or hid their social media use from their boss? Do they tend to feel guilty or shameful when others approach them while they are online?
Nothing Beats Social Media
Do they feel a sense of euphoria while online? Have they ever used social media for sexual gratification or excitement? Do they use the Internet when they are stressed out, sad, or otherwise unhappy, to give them joy? Have they tried to limit their social media time, but failed?
Physical Symptoms of Social Media Addiction
Do they suffer from Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, dry eyes/eye strain, back aches/neck aches, severe headaches, lack of sleep, pronounced weight loss or gain?
Treatment
Find the Cause
Think about why they get so much pleasure out of social media. Usually, there is an underlying problem which they are escaping from by using something else – such as drugs, alcohol, or in this case – social media.
Seek Support
Once they’ve figured out the underlying cause, talk to a professional therapist. They can also help them find the underlying cause too.
Build Real Supportive Relationships
The more relationships they have in the real world, the less they’ll need to rely on the Internet and social media for interaction. Set aside time for friends and family. Join local groups and clubs which they share a common interest, such as book clubs, sports teams, or other such organizations. This way, they’ll build real relationships naturally in the real world.
Limit Internet Use
Keep track of their social media use, log how long they stay online. Over time, set specific time limits and times when they can access the Internet, and stick to those times. Start with broad large blocks of time at first, and GRADUALLY reduce the time online. Set goals throughout the day for accomplishing in the real world, and use the Internet time as a reward for completing that goal.
Think about why they get so much pleasure out of social media. Usually, there is an underlying problem which they are escaping from by using something else – such as drugs, alcohol, or in this case – social media.
Seek Support
Once they’ve figured out the underlying cause, talk to a professional therapist. They can also help them find the underlying cause too.
Build Real Supportive Relationships
The more relationships they have in the real world, the less they’ll need to rely on the Internet and social media for interaction. Set aside time for friends and family. Join local groups and clubs which they share a common interest, such as book clubs, sports teams, or other such organizations. This way, they’ll build real relationships naturally in the real world.
Limit Internet Use
Keep track of their social media use, log how long they stay online. Over time, set specific time limits and times when they can access the Internet, and stick to those times. Start with broad large blocks of time at first, and GRADUALLY reduce the time online. Set goals throughout the day for accomplishing in the real world, and use the Internet time as a reward for completing that goal.