Social Networking Addiction

Social Networking sites addictive? With 500 million facebook users online DAILY, the amount of time spent online instead of with in-the-flesh friends, may be in the process of change. If you spend too much time online on social networking sites, what are you losing? Are you addicted? Becoming depressed?

Are you finding that you spend way too much time on facebook, twitter, linked in, YouTube etcetera etcetera? In fact, maybe it’s a wonder you’re at this page away from your online friends. Or are they actually acquaintances who feel like friends because you spend so much time there?

5 Reasons to be a Social Networker

Social Networking sites can provide some measures of comfort because they tap into several factors such as:

1. Convenience – let’s “face” it, it’s fast, fingertip easy, isn’t it?
2. Familiarity – the more often the Social Networker visits and uses  fav sites, the more familiar the Social Networker feels they become with the people, the members of groups and the more the Social Networker feels like they know these people. Leastwise, that’s what I noticed for me. Is this a bad thing? Well, the more familiar and comfortable the Social Networker becomes, the more they are likely to let their guard down and increase their trust. That trust is not necessarily warranted and really it’s best for trust to be earnt, not learnt.
3. Fun – there’s excitement and fun integrated into all of these sites with the intention of keeping the Social Networker totally absorbed and interested. And it’s working. there are about 500 million users on Facebook alone, EVERY DAY! And it’s fun reading friend’s funnies or posting your own and having a laugh.
4. Free entertainment – it’s free, loads of space, and only costs Social Networkers time and energy.  That’s gotta be good, right? Maybe.  It depends on how much time and energy is spent there, and for what purpose.  Obviously, if the Social Networker is an internet marketer it’s time well spent (hopefully) and if the Social Networker is meant to be working at work or home, or studying, then perhaps it is not time well spent if they are there for hours.
5. Support and Love – many people enjoy Social Networking sites because they feel supported.  It is a means of being in touch with family and real in-the-flesh friends anywhere in the world that keeps the Social Networker beautifully connected.  MInd you, there have been very public disconnections on social network sites too! Many online groups provide support and answers to their members and this may ease the pain of loneliness and unhappiness as well as provide important information.

Social Networking Addiction?

I’ve touched on a few of the negative impacts and probably for the majority of people, social networking is a very positive experience. The truth is, that it can also become an addiction for the lonely, the isolated, the frugal or broke, and anyone who has a tendency towards an existing addictive personality. 

The ‘social networker’ loses sleep, time, and energy for the important real-world stuff like study, work, food and water, hygiene like showering daily, exercise and real interaction with friends and family.  Also, because the addiction stops the person from keeping up with study, or decreases work performance, anxiety and stress may also occur.

Social Networker & Depression?

The impact of these lost daily habits can be an increase in depressed feelings which may lead to depression. Having worked with clients who were online gaming addicts I can tell you that it can cause depression and anxiety, but that might not always be the case.

Don’t have any friends? Go out and make some new friends who are offline right now.  The Social Networker can enjoy taking care of him/herself and getting sleep, because that will really help too.

If you’re a Social Networker who spends way too much time on it, then maybe it’s time to cut back on time spent, and start mixing more with your in-the-flesh friends. 

Another thing, just because it is a social networking site doesn’t mean that the addiction is any less powerful or controlling than that of gambling or food for example.

One interesting side effect that I’ve noticed is that the less you physically speak, the less you use your throat and voicebox, the more difficult it is to communicate orally because the muscles of the throat and voicebox aren’t being exercised.  If you feel you need help with this issue, click now or call 07 3040 2322 to make an appointment with Brisbane Psychologist Narelle Stratford.

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