Facebook Addiction – Is It a Myth?
Facebook addiction might sound like an innocent occupation that doesn’t result in the normal difficulties of other addictions like alcohol, drugs, gambling, and sex , but research has demonstrated that social media obsession is a serious issue – and it’s growing .
The Facebook website is unbelievably popular , a place where people can keep in touch with each other on a simple to use , online based interactive environment . Social media forums like Facebook have expanded to include hundreds of millions of members , and as a result people are adding new aspects to their social lives by living ‘through’ the online experience.
How do you know if you, or a friend or family member is demonstrating the symptoms of Facebook addiction? There are many strong indicators that could mean a dependency is developing , and it’s these indicators that have so much in common with other forms of addiction.
An addict for example, draws away from friends and family to pursue their addiction, as it takes up a large amount of their time and makes it impossible to maintain healthy relationships . An addiction to Facebook has left huge numbers of users so involved with their online world that personal relationships outside of it have suffered.
Children spend less time with their parents and siblings, co-workers spend their breaks on Facebook instead of talking to colleagues . It actively removes the addict from reality and instead offers them an unnaturally peaceful world where anything is possible and information is readily available, about anyone and everyone.
With Facebook becoming the social habit of the world, businesses, families and friends have become less important in reality. The Facebook addict will check their pages many times a day, constantly on the look out for any interaction that will draw them in.
Often this compulsion is driven by the messages, invitations and IM’s that could appear at any time on their Facebook pages. Receiving such interaction is not only rewarding but satisfying, as other Facebookers reach out to include them in their lives.
Facebook addiction has led to many businesses banning the social media platform at work, because it has such a weakening effect on productivity. With employees losing hours on Facebook to connect with their online friends, it has proven to be a massive temptation that many simply can’t do without .
If you feel anxious or stressed in situations where you are unable to check your Facebook page, the chances are you are in the first steps of addiction . The first step to recovery is to admit the problem and set personal goals to curb your habits on Facebook.
Revert to old methods of contacting your friends, and stop the email notifications filling up your inbox everyday. Facebook addiction can be just as dangerous as other forms of addiction. It can ruin relationships, hurt friendships and force you into a cyber world where nothing is real.
If you find it impossible to stop checking your Facebook page, and people start dropping hints how often you are on it, then you need to talk to someone who can help you break this destructive habit.
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