Let's have a look at just what is in Facebook, why it's so addictive and how it affects you.
Why is Facebook so addictive?
In an article from news.com.au, it said researchers from California State University-Fullerton had recently discovered that social media obsession may lead to something akin to classical addiction.
The findings, published in the journal Psychological Reports: Disability and Trauma showed that the brains of people who report compulsive urges to use Facebook show some brain patterns similar to those found in drug addicts or problem gamblers.
They found that peer approval on social media (e.g. having people ‘like’ your photos on Facebook) releases dopamine in the brain. This is the same chemical that is released when you take drugs, or when a gambling addict has a win at the pokies.
“It’s a drug that feeds the ego of the self, the ego of me,” explains consumer trend expert Michelle Newton to The Huffington Post.
“From breaking news, to information about parenting, friends’ activities, work and shopping: social media is a closed digital ecosystem of existence.”
It’s a serious issue, as so many people are ‘exposed’ to this digital dopamine. Almost 50 per cent of the total Filipino population has a Facebook account. According to a Rappler report the average time Filipinos spend on Facebook every day is 1.5 hours.
Ofir Turel, a psychologist at California State University-Fullerton says people addicted to Facebook “have the ability to control their behavior, but they don’t have the motivation to control this behavior because they don’t see the consequences to be that severe.”
As we know, there’s a dark side to addiction of any kind — if we don’t get that dopamine rush we’re craving it can lead to feelings of depression. (Perhaps you can identify with that feeling of disappointment when you post a photo on Instagram and don’t get the enthusiastic response you’d hoped for?)
Giving up social media (maybe, once in a while)
If you feel like social media is having a negative impact on your life (or that of your children) it might be time for a digital detox. Take control of smartphones and tablets in your house. Limit the use of social media from dinner tables and bedrooms. Turn off notifications. Turn off gadgets periodically.
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