Social Networking Addiction: How Hazardous Is It to Your Personal and Social Maturity?

Social networking addiction is a disorder pertaining to the countless hours a person is spending on Facebook and other related platforms which deters one's normal functioning to perform daily tasks. There is no clear medical definition if its really classified as a psychological disorder. Thus, the said problem needs a lot of scientific researches prior to the provision of a descriptive and accurate medical terminology. In a gist,  it is a compulsive behavior which becomes a non-productive habit because it affects a person's performance at work and in school. A social networking addict is somebody who constantly checks on his or her social media accounts' status from time to time. Facebook profile stalking is a prominent sign or symptom of addiction.

Social networking activities are addicting and they hamper personal productivity.

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Researchers from Chicago University has conclusively said that social networking addiction could be much stronger than cigarette and alcohol cravings. To date, it ranked ahead of these traditional addictions since time immemorial. On the contrary, an experiment posed an extraordinary finding. It says that social media platforms can effectively stimulate the brain pleasures through a process known as self-disclosure communication. For intimate relationships, the Wall Street Journal had debunked the idea that one out of five marriages were unconsciously ruined by Facebook.

Can social networking addiction cause marital problems?

IMAGE: https://tech.co/intervention-time-social-media-addictive-2018-08

Social networking addiction is closely linked to mood swings, social withdrawal and standard denial process. However, the screen time factor is not considered as a triggering factor in this type of addiction. To explain, there are online gamers who spent hours online; but, they still managed to do their job and other  responsibilities. To determine if you are a social media addict, here are six vital questions that you should answer.

1. Do you spend a lot of time, when you're not online, thinking about social media or planning to use social media?
2. Do you feel the urges to use social media more and  more overtime?
3. Do you use social media to forget about your problems?
4. Do you often to reduce the use of social media without success?
5. Do you become restless or troubled if you are not able to use social media?
6. Do you use social media so much that it had a negative impact on your job, relationship or studies?

If you answered YES to a few of these queries, you tend to be a fair user of social media. On the opposite, if YES was your response to all of these questions, then you are starting to develop a social networking addiction. Nevertheless , it has to be objectively validated or confirmed by a psychologist or psychiatrist. To curtail this addiction, the government of a given country must strictly prohibit the use of smartphones while driving and in schools or offices during working hours.This will develop the users' focus on their assigned undertakings.

Social media addiction triggers a short attention span for productive activities.

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The varying solutions to social networking addiction include digital literacy and awareness about the harmful effects of Internet if its usage exceeds the normal range. Meanwhile, Facebook developers must track down its excessive users by adopting the behavioral data scheme. Overall, the long-term goal of a proposed treatment must be geared towards usage control rather than abstinence. Cognitive behavioral therapy is the ultimate key in restoring an individual's patterns of regulated behavior. There is no magic formula in treating the root cause of addiction. Cyberspace users are responsible for their own actions. Likewise, healthcare professionals, computer owners, parents and the government should do their share in regulating the use of these innovative modes of techie communication platforms to foster a healthy mind and a well-balanced social life.