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Facebook Obsession: A Look Into Facebook Users Unhealthy Use Of Facebook

By Khalil Salim

Salim 2 Khalil Salim Malcolm Campbell March 20, 2012 English 1102 Facebook Obsession: A Look Into Facebook Users Unhealthy Use of Facebook Log in, look at news feed, see what friends have been up to, comment on Sarahs pictures from her birthday, accept friend request from a new friend that I met a party Friday night, wish my coworker Krissie a happy birthday, accept event invite to make Kony famous, change my two year old profile picture to a more recent picture of me and my girlfriend of us ice skating last Saturday, change current work place information to Best Buy, see what my old high school friend Femi-Ann has been up to, post on Brandons wall, Awesome party you threw last night bro, glad we could catch up, definitely should do it again soon. Log out. This little amount of activity I did on Facebook took forty-five minutes. This is the round the clock activity that is prominent amongst Facebook users from all across the globe, whether it is from a male, female, black, white, young, or old. Taking in the form Posting, liking, poking, messaging, commenting, or what some like to call, creeping. As we log on to Facebook it seems that the hands on the clock begin to blur and we begin to lose track of time. How much time are we actually spending on Facebook? Facebook since its emergence in two thousand four has proved not to be ones average social networking site, however transforming itself into a mainstream trend that is part of peoples everyday lives. Users of Facebook are finding that their visit to the site is not just

Salim 3 simply a once a day brief visit, however becoming more like an extended stay hotel where all they can do is stare at the blue and white walls of Facebook (Reich, Kaveri, and Espinoza 357-361). Users find that once they log on to Facebook its easy to get lost in the things one can carry out on the site therefore lose track of time. For instance, I, on my last visit, spent forty-five minutes without even realizing it. Users from across the globe seem to be disregarding the vast amount of time and energy at work, at home, and now while on the move they are devoting to Facebook (Rouis, Limayem, and Salehi-Sangari 972). Everybody seems to be turning a blind eye to this because everyone is participating in this obsessive behavior revolving around Facebook. The obsession seems to be stay in tune with Facebook in order to feel involved, and the compulsion is staying logged in to Facebook in order to be able to stay in tune with Facebook friends (The First Treatment Model 307). Almost all users of Facebook suffer from the abnormal obsession of Facebook and more than likely readers of this are users of Facebook, therefore it is detrimental to understand what classifies someone as a Facebook addict, side effects of the addiction, and how to prevent or recover from this Facebook Addiction. Being a fellow user myself I can explain what Facebook exactly is. Facebook is a social networking site where users can establish communication between friends, coworkers, and family members in various ways including chat tools, messages, posting on ones wall, placing comments on friends pictures, and so forth. Each user has a profile in which they can choose to share things ranging from interests, occupation, political preference, religion, sexual orientation, relationship status, music preference, hometown and other miscellaneous items. The social networking site Facebook has become a way for people to communicate across the globe and sees on average fifteen million new users a month (Hampton, Goulet, and

Salim 4 Raine 5). As the famous phrase states, if you cant beat them, join them. To put things in perspective, one out of thirteen people in the world, and three out of four Americans are Facebook users (ODell). Fifty two percent of these Facebook users check their Facebook on a daily basis, of that fifty-two percent on average spend fourteen hundred minutes per month on Facebook meaning that over a course of a month the average user spends approximately forty-six minutes per day on Facebook. That is just for the average user, for college students specifically however they spend on average a hundred and one minutes per day on Facebook alone not counting email, web search, or instant messaging (Junco). These are the numbers as of now, studies suggest that as users use the site more they tend to develop a higher tolerance for the site meaning that they need to spend more time online in order to gain the level of satisfaction they are seeking when accessing the site; it may be likened to tolerance levels that alcoholics develop which in turn leads them to drink more in order to achieve the desired effect (Internet Addiction 238). Although forty-six minutes a day for the average person and a hundred and one for the average college student may seem harmless; as they progress more and more with usage of the site they will begin to exceed these time frames and dive into longer login periods in order to gain the level of satisfaction that they use to attain at the beginning with just twenty minutes rather than now being forty-five minutes (239). Internet addiction lists of the top ten addictions in todays society, and until recently nothing has elevated the compulsion to be digitally connected then the rise of social media sites (Junco). Part of the reason that Facebook users have become so obsessed with the site is not just because it is a way to fill in leisure time, it has become a way to stay connected with others or monitor them while away (Chaulk, and Jones 247-248). Users feel the need to be constantly

Salim 5 connected to everyone else, if they are not on a computer checking Facebook, it is because they are already checking their Facebook on a cellular device (249). The internet has been around for years and cases of Internet addiction have been present long before Facebooks emergence, however since the surfacing of Facebook the use of the internet has become widely more popular than before resulting in a larger group of people being affected. The department of Psychology at the University of Pittsburgh led by Psychologist Karen Young sought to determine a set of criteria for what would define addictive from normal internet usage. Due to the Diagnostic Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders not having the term addiction listed within the Diagnostic Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, they compared it to Pathological Gambling due to it being so similar. By using Pathological Gambling as a model, Karen Young was able define Internet Addiction as an impulse-control disorder because the addiction itself does not involve an intoxicant. The study then developed a brief eight item questionnaire referred to as a Diagnostic Questionnaire that modified the criteria for Pathological Gambling to provide a screening instrument for classification of participants: 1. Do you feel preoccupied with the Internet? (Think about previous on-line activity or anticipate next on-line session)? 2. Do you feel the need to use the Internet with increasing amounts of time in order to achieve satisfaction? 3. Have you repeatedly made unsuccessful efforts to control, cut back, or stop internet use? 4. Do you feel restless, moody, depressed, or irritable when attempting to cut down or stop Internet use?

Salim 6 5. Do you stay on-line longer than originally intended? 6. Have you jeopardized or risked the loss of a significant relationship, job, educational, or career opportunity because of the Internet? 7. Have you lied to family members, a therapist, or others to conceal the extent of involvement with the Internet? 8. Do you use the Internet as a way of escaping from problems or of relieving a dysphoric mood (e.g., feelings of helplessness, guilt, anxiety, and depression)? * If an individual meets five or more of these elements they are considered an internet addict according to Karen Youngs model for identification of internet addiction (238). Consequences of Facebook Addiction among addicts do not vary as much as one might think. Many addicts noted similar consequences that included personal, family, and occupational problems. For students specifically they noted difficulty studying, completing assignments, or getting adequate sleep in order to be alert for class. This eventually resulted in poor grades which in turn led to academic probation and in some cases even expulsion from the university. Other addicts noted that they began to miss important deadlines for their occupations along with withdrawal from family and friends in order to engage in their online behavior (Internet Addiction 305). Although it is easy to be critical of Facebook when it comes to the effects it has had on its users, it has also had some positive effects. Other than the obvious reason for allowing people to be connected whenever, and where ever, studies suggest that Facebook has

Salim 7 allowed for people to post statuses that could be a cry for help which in turn could potentially lead to someone reaching out and helping (Becker et al. 447-455). However on the other hand psychological research proves that with the social phenomenon known as The Bystander Effectwhich refers to cases where individuals do not offer any means of help in an emergency situation to the victim when other people are present- the less likely someone will reach out to those in need of it (Kainbacker 518). This obviously occurs because Facebook friends develop the conviction that they cannot be held accountable in the case of an occurrence of an unfortunate incident. This phenomenon occurs due to other users being around who coincidentally dont believe that they out of the whole group should assume responsibility and that someone else should. However those users feel the same way therefore no one lends a hand. The strength of the bystander effect increases as the audience size growths, therefore if one has a large group of Facebook friends the less of a probability it is for a Facebook friend to emerge and offer help (Kainbacker, 517-537). It is important to realize the use of Facebook itself, as human beings we have the tendency to over indulge in things we enjoy rather than finding a balance in them. We drink too much, eat too much, stay up too much, or for this matter, stay on Facebook too much. One can surely admit that Facebook is in fact addicting. It is a place where friends can be found at twenty-four seven, and there is the tendency for users to believe that if they do not log on every day that they will miss something of value. Perhaps a friend posted an embarrassing picture of yourself and you want to quickly untag yourself before anyone sees it, or perhaps someone posted something on your wall that you need to respond to immediately. All of these are constantly in the back of the minds of Facebook users, in turn causing an increase in the

Salim 8 frequency of their Facebook logins and the total remainder of their stay, which potentially could, or does lead to the clinical disorder known as Facebook Addiction. In order to successfully and safely overcome this Facebook Addiction it is recommended to seek professional help in order to treat it properly and successfully. Professional clinicians approach towards treating Internet Addiction does not involve complete abstinence (basically what might some call quitting cold turkey) from the computer due to it not being practical since they are such a dominant part of individuals daily lives in this day and age. Clinicians note that moderation and some form of control is the most appropriate method to treat the problem (which in this case would be the urge to be on Facebook for long period of time) (Treatment Model 304). In order to successfully treat this disorder, professional clinicians approach it with a method known as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). CBT is effective in treating cases involving substance abuse, eating disorders, pathological gambling, and until recently, internet addiction (305). In general in this form of therapy patients are taught to monitor their thoughts and identify those that trigger addictive feelings and actions while attempting to learn some form of coping skills and ways to prevent a relapse into their previous behavior (Treatment Model 305-306) .CBT is broken into three phases; phase one is Behavior Modification which consists of creating a daily internet log that can be used to evaluate the current internet behavior which contributes to establishing a form of treatment. Patients in this log record how long each login on Facebook lasts in terms of hours and minutes, what actions were completed during this login, feelings that arise during the session, and what activities were neglected in order to participate in the behavior. Clinicians then review the log and develop reasons as to why they might be engaging in this behavior and how to cease it; perhaps a patient

Salim 9 spends four hours on Facebook when they are home alone or when they are depressed (307). Clinicians then use this to develop a way to restructure the computer use, for some it is done with the use of a timer which serves as a reminder when it is time to log off the site. Others who suffer a more severe case and cannot control themselves can be restructured by using filtering software such as CyberPatrol to block access to Facebook in the first place (307). After phase one, patients move on to phase two which is cognitive restructuring which addresses the maladaptive cognitions that serve as a trigger (308). For instance some users might believe that when they are not on Facebook they are missing out on all the action that their friends are participating in, or as mentioned earlier have the constant apprehension that their friends have posted a unflattering photo of them that they need to untag immediately, or there is a post on their wall that in their own mind needs an immediate response when in reality it is just a simple acknowledgment from someone they have not spoken to in a while. These patterns of thinking give users an excuse to go online and engage in Facebook and these cognitive restructuring addresses the patients thoughts and help them develop rational and valid interpretations rather than senseless ones. Phase three involves harm reduction therapy which is used to identify and address any coexisting factors associated with the development of the addiction. These factors can include personal, situational, social, psychiatric, or occupational issues (309). When I first began researching the nature of Facebook Addiction it didnt occur to me how big of a social phenomenon it was. Although I witness Facebook Obsession on a daily basis among colleagues and friends, in my own mind I believed that it only affected certain people who might not have a social life, or were shy. However as I continued my research I realized I was exceptionally wrong. Facebook Addiction naturally occurs among people who

Salim 10 are outgoing and have rather large social circles; that is not to say that it does not occur among less outgoing people who might be shy (Bicen and Cavus, 944; Mango, Taylor, and Greenfield 371). Some argue that todays current Facebook use is harmless and that if it was harmful not a great deal of people would be participating in it as there are currently (Rajani, Berman, and Rozanski 819-820). However this fact is what alarms me most of all; the total population that is involved in this behavior. This predicament of Facebook addiction is not affecting only a small percentage of the population but is however happening in considerable numbers and is going unnoticed. This predicament is not effecting one state, or one country for this matter, it is however a global extremity. This is why I am addressing the problem, in order to shed light upon the matter in hopes of users acting on it before it is too late. According to Karen Young's study in relation to Internet Addiction, only fifty four percent had no desire to cut down the amount of time they spend online regularly (Internet Addiction 242). And this fifty four percent was made up of mostly internet addicts. With the introduction of my research I have hopes that people will see the negative outcomes of their excessive behavior towards Facebook use and will begin to attempt to manage their time and if necessary seek clinical help in order to address the problem properly. I myself, after all my research will be managing my time online and cutting back in order to decrease the risk of developing Facebook Addiction. I have a sense of worry towards the future and what it might hold if people continue with their behavior revolving around Facebook. My hopes are that Facebook users develop Facebook fatigue and eventually become burnt out on the site, however more than likely this will not be the case. If that was the case eventually something else will replace it as Facebook did with Myspace. It deeply concerns me where todays society is headed and if they

Salim 11 are remotely aware of the damaging consequences their online behavior is having upon them now and in the future. A topic I would like to touch on that I was unable to do so myself

at this time is how this behavior is affecting children. Facebook can be likened to a drug, it keeps people coming back, interferes with day to day activities, and for those who go without it they begin to show withdrawal symptoms such as agitation, mood swings, along with strong cravings to access the site (Bicen, Huseyin, and Cavus 945). Im curious as to how parents use of Facebook affects their children, if they spend less time with them in order to be on Facebook, what is the long term and short term effects of this. And if this was the case whether the kids who were affected will grow to develop the same tendencies as their parents and ignore their own children.

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Works Cited Chaulk, Kasey, and Tim Jones. "Online Obsessive Relational Intrusion: Further Concerns About Facebook." Journal Of Family Violence 26.4 (2011): 245-254. PsycINFO. Web. 21 Mar. 2012. Hampton, Keith, Lauren Sessions Goulet, and Lee Rainie. " Social networking sites and our lives Pew Research Center's Internet & American Life Project." Pew Research Center's Internet & American Life Project. PewResearch Center 2011. Web. 19 Mar. 2012. Hew, Khe Foon. "Students And Teachers Use Of Facebook." Computers In Human Behavior 27.2 (2011): 662-676. Academic Search Complete. Web. 19 Mar. 2012. Bicen, Huseyin and Nadire Cavus. "Social Network Sites Usage Habits Of Undergraduate Students: Case Study Of Facebook." Procedia - Social And Behavioral Sciences 28.World Conference on Educational Technology Researches - 2011 (2011): 943-947. ScienceDirect. Web. 31 Mar. 2012. Hunter, C. "Number of Facebook users could reach 1 billion by 2012 ." The Exponent Online. Purdue Exponent, 2012. Web. 19 Mar 2012. Junco, Reynol. "Students spend a lot of time Facebooking, searching, and texting: Social Media in Higher Education." Social Media in Higher Education. Creative Commons Attribution. 2012. Web. 19 Mar. 2012.

Salim 13 Manago, Adriana M., Tamara Taylor, and Patricia M. Greenfield. "Me And My 400 Friends: The Anatomy Of College Students' Facebook Networks, Their Communication Patterns, And Well-Being." Developmental Psychology 48.2 (2012): 369-380. PsycARTICLES. Web. 19 Mar. 2012. Martina Kainbacher, et al. "The Bystander-Effect: A Meta-Analytic Review On Bystander Intervention In Dangerous And Non-Dangerous Emergencies." Psychological Bulletin 137.4 (2011): 517-537. PsycARTICLES. Web. 31 Mar. 2012. O'Dell, Jolie. "Are We Too Obsessed With Facebook?" Mashable. Mashable Inc, 2011. Web. 21 Mar 2012 Rajani, R., D.S. Berman, and A. Rozanski. "Social Networks: Are They Good For Your Health? The Era Of Facebook And Twitter." QJM: An International Journal Of Medicine 104.9 (2011): 819-820. Academic Search Premier. Web. 23 Feb. 2012. Reich, Stephanie M., Kaveri Subrahmanyam, and Guadalupe Espinoza. "Friending, Iming, And Hanging Out Face-To-Face: Overlap In Adolescents' Online And Offline Social Networks." Developmental Psychology 48.2 (2012): 356-368. PsycARTICLES. Web. 19 Mar. 2012. Rouis, Sana, Moez Limayem, and Esmail Salehi-Sangari. "Impact Of Facebook Usage On Students' Academic Achievement: Role Of Self-Regulation And Trust." Electronic Journal Of Research In Educational Psychology 9.3 (2011): 961-994. Education Research Complete. Web. 20 Mar. 2012.

Salim 14 Tara Becker, et al. "Feeling Bad On Facebook: Depression Disclosures By College Students On A Social Networking Site." Depression And Anxiety 28.6 (2011): 447-455. MEDLINE. Web. 27 Feb. 2012. Young, Kimberly S. "Internet Addiction: The Emergence Of A New Clinical Disorder." Cyberpsychology & Behavior 1.3 (1998): 237-244. PsycINFO. Web. 21 Mar. 2012 Young, Kimberly S. "CBT-IA: The First Treatment Model For Internet Addiction." Journal Of Cognitive Psychotherapy 25.4 (2011): 304-312. Academic Search Complete. Web. 30 Mar. 2012.