Addictive Behavior: Facebook

According to Dictionary.com, addiction is “the state of being enslaved to a habit or practice or to something that is psychologically or physically habit-forming, as narcotics, to such an extent that its cessation causes severe trauma.” Parents and school teachers teach children about the dangers of drugs, and alcohol, and the detrimental results that can come from abusing drugs. However, there are few lectures given on the compulsive use of Facebook. With Facebook, there is no possibility of an overdose. It will not give you a hangover. It cannot cause heart problems, or brain damage, but Facebook can be addicting.
While researching addiction, I found that many symptoms of addiction seem to bare a striking resemblance to characteristics of Facebook use among college students. Addictive behaviors are compulsive and habitual, often brought on by some sort of trigger. Many college students use Facebook several times a day and often check their Facebook account every time they are in front of a computer, or for some, they may not even realize that they are logging on to Facebook because the behavior has become so routine. Addicts tend to feel anxious or unfulfilled if they are not participating in their addictive behavior. Avid Facebook users often feel upset, anxious, or frustrated when they do not have access to the internet or a computer because they feel the urge to be on Facebook. Addiction becomes a priority to the addict, and often interferes with other responsibilities causing career difficulties and relationship distress. Facebook is often used as a procrastination tool and takes precedence to homework, and other responsibilities.
The similarities in addictive behaviors and Facebook use are uncanny. Although Facebook is not a drug and is not physically addictive, for some, Facebook use is clearly becoming compulsive. As my research from my presentation on addiction shows, addiction can be detrimental to a person’s relationships, education, career, and physical well-being. Because college students make up the majority of Facebook users, addictive behavior and social networking is something that should not be taken lightly.