Facebook and Twitter Addiction

I recent study conducted by the University of Chicago's Business School, found that social media websites are more addicting than cigarettes and alcohol! Though the urge to check your email or Facebook page does not overcome sleep and leisure, the study shows that these social media "urges" to over power alcohol or tobacco urges.
Facebook and Twitter are low cost and readily available services, which cause the addiction and urge to be even more irresistible. On the other hand, cigarettes and alcohol consumption can be extremely costly and the loss can far outweigh the benefits.

By: Natalie Bobian
9/24/2012

Facebook Addiction Disorder

Facebook is one of the top most used social networking site in the United States. Due to its popularity it has created an addiction and now a disorder. An American psychologist introduced this disorder as the Facebook Addiction Disorder also known as FAD. It is a condition where several hours are spent on Facebook where it affects one's health and daily activity. Approximately 350 million people are suffering from this disorder. There are six major symptoms that are classified with FAD. 

1. Tolerance: They spend an increasing amount of time on the site, coming to a stage where they need it in order to obtain satisfaction or on the other extreme, it is having a detrimental affect on them as a person and their life.
2. Withdrawal symptoms: Common signs are anxiety, distress and the need to talk about Facebook and what might have been posted on their wall in their absence.
3. Reduction of normal social/recreational activities: Someone suffering from FAD will reduce the time spent catching up with friends, playing sport or whatever it is they used to enjoy doing, to simply spend time on Facebook. 
4. Virtual dates: Instead of going to the movies or out to dinner, they tell their partner to be online at a certain time.
5. Fake friends: If 8 out of 10 people shown on their Facebook page are complete strangers.
6. Complete addiction: When they meet new people, they say their name, followed by “I’ll talk to you on Facebook”, or for those who are extremely bad, “I’ll see you in Facebook”. 

These are all symptoms that relate to FAD and are used to diagnose a person with FAD and it is considered a mental disorder. 

Angeli O'Day

9/20/12

[Source: Social Times]

Internet Addiction

Internet addiction is a growing epidemic all around the world. According to techaddiction.com, 9-15 million people in the U.S. use the internet every day. This rate is increasing by 25% every 3 months. Internet addiction is most common in adolescent boys and has been linked to ADHD. The overwhelming majority of counselors agree that internet addiction disorder is a very real disorder. In addition to the psychological, physiological, social, and mental health problems associated with Internet Addiction, children and teenagers who spend an excessive amount of time online are not exercising their minds and bodies at such an important time in their lives, when they should be engaging in sports and other physical activities with their peers.

image courtesy: businessnewsdaily.com

Symptoms of Internet Addiction Include:

• Failed attempts to control behavior

• Heightened sense of euphoria while involved in computer and Internet activities

• Neglecting friends and family

• Neglecting sleep to stay online

• Being dishonest with others

• Feeling guilty, ashamed, anxious, or depressed as a result of online behavior

• Physical changes such as weight gain or loss, backaches, headaches, carpal tunnel syndrome 

• Withdrawing from other pleasurable activities

Take this test to find out if you are addicted to the internet

[Resources: Safetyweb.com, netaddiction.com, techaddiction.com]

Ashley Rulick 9/19/12

Addiction while Working

When most people are bored at work, they'll partake in some social networking. Some businesses allow this IF the employee is using social networks to benefit the company, such as using company Facebook pages, Twitter accounts, etc. With internet and social network addiction growing, how are companies keeping it out of the workplace?

According to Daniel Ornstein's study, over a quarter of the employees surveyed actively block employee access to social networking sites. Nearly 40 percent of the businesses in the survey have had to deal with employees misusing social networks, a third had to take disciplinary action against employees due to misuse of social networks and despite the widespread use and misuse of social networking at work, about half of the companies in his survey still do not have social networking policies.

Social networking and internet addiction continues to rise to the point where people feel the need to constantly be attached. How should employees be deciplined or should employers block all access to such networks? If employers block social networks on the computer, will this increase cell phone use at the workplace?

Mariyah Hargrove
Sunday, September 16, 2012

Addicted to Social Media

Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Tumblr, all of these social networking sites have millions of users with many joining daily. Not only can we access these networking sites by computer but now by phone, so we are able to connect from anywhere. These website are not only a place to connect with friends, family and celebrities but also to stay up-to-date with current news. With IPhones, Droids, and other cellular devices permanently attached to our hands, being able to connect to these social networking sites, connects us to the world. The fear of missing out on current world news, our best friends status, or who is in a relationship with who, is one of the reasons for the addiction of social media sites. Can we truly step away from the use of these websites and still feel connected to the world?






9/10/2012

Natalie B.

Social Media Addiction

image courtesy of socialmediagroup.com

Keeping up with social media is of the upmost importance to our generation. As more and more social media sites are created, it becomes increasingly difficult to keep up with our posts about what we had for breakfast, or who we are "pissed at". What are your friends doing today? You don't have to call to find out, because chances are they have tweeted about it, updated their status, posted a picture, or checked in on four-square. Is this a problem? Are we losing our ability to interact face to face because it's just "easier" to check Facebook? Check out this video on social media addiction.

Ashley Rulick 9-7-12

Social Networking & Internet Addiction

Hello,

In today's world there are over 200 social networking sites and the main ones being Facebook and Twitter. These social networking sites have been very popular over the years and maybe even addicting according to the CBS News National Correspondent, Hattie Kauffman. Research shows that over 300,000 people join Myspace each day. Psychiatrist Dr. Jerald Block treats patients who use the Internet more than 30 or 40 hours a week and says that there over millions of internet addicts. I personally easily believe that statement because whenever one is doing homework or any assignment there's most likely Twitter or Facebook in an another tab. There are a few ways to avoid this addiction or lessen it, by turning off your notifications being sent to your phone, setting time limits and avoid applications on smartphones.

Angeli O'Day

9-6-12

Welcome

Welcome to our INFO3130 blog! This blog was created and contributed to by Ashley Rulick, Mariyah Hargrove, Angeli O'Day, and Natalie Bobian. We will be posting weekly on our IT use/ emerging technology topic. Thanks for reading!