EBlog

The 10 warning signs of social media addiction.

June 21, 2008 | Posted by: Lee

Are you addicted to social media or at risk for addiction?  Would you recognize the warning signs?

Social Media Addiction (SMA) is a physiological dependence on social media and user generated content.  If left untreated it can lead to sleep deprivation, mental and marital problems, and Learned Attention Deficit Disorder.

Once an individual has been exposed to social media, they may be unable to predict or control the extent to which they will continue its use.  Social media is one of the most addictive habits that has been devised so far.  Social media addicts must have more and more social media to sustain their "high" and avoid the intense "crash" and anxiety that occurs when they're "out of touch" for any length of time.  Social media addicts become physically and psychologically dependent on social media after only a few exposures.

No one is ever “cured” from SMA, but symptoms can be managed.  SMA is often characterized by frequent periods of remission and relapse, so it is important to monitor the patient closely while in treatment.

10 warning signs you may have a social media addiction.

If you think you, or your loved one, is suffering from SMA, take the quiz below.  Just answer “true” or “false” to each statement. 

1. You find yourself accessing social media sites first thing in the morning, and last thing before you go to bed at night.
2. You become angry or agitated when unable to access your social media sites.
3. You regularly spend time on social media sites while alone.
4. You’ve been woken up late at night more than once, not in your bed, by the faint glow of a social media site.
5. You check the number of "friends," "followers," or "connections" you have more than once a day.
   
6. When you hear about others experimenting with new social media tools, you are unable to continue what you are doing without stopping to experience them yourself.
7. More than once, you've had conversations with people online who are within your line of site.
   
8. At family and/or business gatherings, you've hidden the fact that you're looking at a social media site from others in attendance (also know as the "under the table, handheld look-up quickie").
9. You’ve lied or withheld information about the amount of time you spend on social media sites.
   
10. Your family has asked you to stop, but you can’t.

If you answer “true” to one or more of these questions, you may be suffering from SMA.