Social Media "Addiction"

[Erica]

Is social media "addiction" over-hyped?

Adam Singer from thefuturebuzz.com wrote an article recently with an interesting perspective on what he believes is the sensationalism of media towards social media and technology.

http://thefuturebuzz.com/2010/04/18/...dia-addiction/

I agree with him that it is a little much to classify social media as an "addiction". Can one really be addicted to communicating with other people?

I can admit though, as I have before on this forum , that I do participate in the compulsive behaviour of checking facebook incessantly....

[mobilebadboy]

I typically prefer non-interaction with people. I frequently take long breaks from message boards (as I've done here and elsewhere). I gave twitter all of about a month or so. I'm quickly becoming bored with Facebook, and I haven't been on there all that long. I check each of the aforementioned when time allows it, but never feel any need at all to "have to" check any of them.

I actually use Facebook more as an update tool, reading through my page connected posts from Disney World, NRA, Outdoor Channel and a few others, more than I use it to communicate with any of the family and friends I have on there.

[TheGooner]

Yes - there is such a thing as social media addiction
and yes - it actually reduces the participants enjoyment of REAL life.

I know several people who seem to update their facebook page "all the time" via PC, mobile phone whatever. They seem intelligent and creative and full of life.

And yet, when you actually are with these people, they spend every two minutes checking their page, and trying desperately to think of a funny or creative observation to text in. You see these people in the corners of the room at parties desperately texting - it's actually quite sad.

I liken it a bit like the asian tourist parties that you see visiting tourist attractions - they're so desperately trying to take photos of it all - and posing with a smile and a V-sign in front of things for a picture - but as soon as it's done they switch off and don't actually look like they are enjoying themselves.

The addiction has gone way past a healthy enjoyment of an online community.

[casinobonusguy]

I was at a BBQ a few days ago where two people at the BBQ were actually facebooking each other.I know enough about these things to get by but really have yet to see the benefit .The only nice thing about facebook is i found a few friends from high school i have not seen in 20+ year.

[my3sons]

I was at a BBQ a few days ago where two people at the BBQ were actually facebooking each other.I know enough about these things to get by but really have yet to see the benefit .The only nice thing about facebook is i found a few friends from high school i have not seen in 20+ year.

haha! thats funny.

I have reconnected with a bunch of people I haven't seen in a very long time which is nice, but the real nice thing is keeping my family and friends up to date with my kids and their sports etc. I have tons of albums and pics of my boys for family and friends to follow.

I'll tell you when I think it gets out of hand... with all the damn farm things, and mafia and all that crap. I block that stuff whenever I see it on my wall.

[Adamvv]

Interesting article in the newspaper today.

According to the study, students suffer from withdrawal when they can't surf or text.

It seems to be turning into a real problem. As soon as they disconnect themselves from the internet and media, teens don't seem to know what to do.

[Chips]

I am on the verge of a hiatus from Facebook, everday having my page filled with "become a fan of..." is getting old. I mainly used it for promotional ideas. I did find some old classmates from 30 years back but the bother really outweighs the benefits.

The texting, twittering and updating is out of hand, I recall how my daughter and her hubby spent time texting or updating with their phones when they visited at Easter. Seams to me when you go and visit someone you should be attentive to them and not having conversations with your friends.

To me it is just like coming to someones home and then talking on the phone the whole time you are there. Maybe I am just grumpy, but to me it is out of control.

[Erica]

The texting, twittering and updating is out of hand, I recall how my daughter and her hubby spent time texting or updating with their phones when they visited at Easter. Seams to me when you go and visit someone you should be attentive to them and not having conversations with your friends.

To me it is just like coming to someones home and then talking on the phone the whole time you are there. Maybe I am just grumpy, but to me it is out of control.

Chips - I completely agree with you! I have a few friends who spend more time on their cell phones talking to other people (via texting, facebook, bbm) when they're over at my house than they do talking to me..... It makes me wonder why I bothered inviting them over/out in the first place

[RaiseandFold]

It would appear the ease of technology compared to say 10-15 years ago is going to have a big effect on the future of the world. People do have withdrawals when they can't get that update on Sally's Sex Experiment or can't get an update on how the concert Justin is attending is going. We won't even talk about the gossip and other time wasters.

The older generation is like "why" the younger generation is "why not" but the question remains when is enough enough?

I can't recall waking up to the alarm of a cell phone ever. Then again how do you use one anyway?

[casinogod]

Is social media "addiction" over-hyped?

I think it probably is over-hyped but there are people who do 'appear' to be addicted to it.

I am pretty busy so personally see it as a bit of a waste of time (although I do have a facebook account I only checked it on average once every two weeks for maybe 10 minutes).

[GamTrak]

I think it probably is over-hyped but there are people who do 'appear' to be addicted to it.

I am pretty busy so personally see it as a bit of a waste of time (although I do have a facebook account I only checked it on average once every two weeks for maybe 10 minutes).

That would be me, but atleast I'm trying to justify it! GamTrak Social Games

[Adamvv]

I think it probably is over-hyped but there are people who do 'appear' to be addicted to it.

I am pretty busy so personally see it as a bit of a waste of time (although I do have a facebook account I only checked it on average once every two weeks for maybe 10 minutes).

The addiction is real and will not improve any time soon. People are becoming more and more connected at a younger age and when you remove something that becomes part of your routine, you will go through some sort of withdrawal -whether it be a long or short stage, it will happen.

If you remove someone from a situation of comfort, they will usually be uncomfortable. Same thing applies to this situation.

[Adamvv]

More proof that it is becoming a real problem.

One student wrote that texting and sending instant messages gives him or her "a constant feeling of comfort," without which he or she felt "quite alone and secluded from my life." Another said that he or she feels "like most people these days are in a similar situation; for between having a Blackberry, a laptop, a television, and an iPod, people have become unable to shed their media skin.

[Erica]

More proof that it is becoming a real problem.

Is this really that different than spending hours on the phone at night? I remember in high school, I used to come home from school and spend all night talking to my friends on the phone.