Are You Addicted To Facebook? Expert Reveals 5 Warning Signs
Is Facebook actually addictive? It’s certainly very hard to give up, according to a Dutch project where people try to go without the social network for 99 days.
Some users describe feeling their fingers ‘reaching for the letter F’ every time they open a browser, according to 99 Days of Freedom.
Others cave in and decide they simply can’t go for three months without Facebook.
The 99 Days of Freedom project has seen more than 40,000 people try to quit Facebook - and has now teamed up with universities to work out why some people can’t let go.
Merijn Straathof, founder of 99 Days, says, ‘I stopped using Facebook when we started the project and haven’t returned since. Like many others that have participated, I felt liberated.
‘Our surveys show that most people feel slightly happier after the experiment - and 25% give up Facebook for good.
But others don’t find it so easy, Straathof says.
‘People often describe the feeling that they are missing out on something - or a fear that they might be missing out on something,’ he says.
‘Many of these go on to say that they later had a peek at Facebook - and it turned out that they hadn’t actually missed anything.’
The 99 Days project continues - with sign-ups tripling over the past month as people give up Facebook for New Year, Straathof says.
The researchers have worked with Cornell University to understand why some users find it so hard to give up - and continue to work with Leiden University and Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam.
So what are the warning signs you might find it hard to quit? Experts from Cornell University and 99 Days of Freedom reveal all.
1) If you think of Facebook as a way to control your image, you could be in trouble
Do you ensure that your Facebook page shows off a ‘good’ image of yourself - presenting an enviable lifestyle and great-looking pictures?
Bad news - you may find it harder to give up.
The 99 Days project advises, ‘It’s tempting to want to portray a sunnier picture of yourself, than reality warrants. Realize that many other users do exactly this and take their shiny, happy lives with a grain of salt. Let go of how you want to be perceived and just be yourself.’
2) Do you just use Facebook, or do you also use other social media?
People who rely on Facebook as their only social media outlet – this includes a lot of older people – are more likely to go back.
People who use other social networks, such as Twitter, find it easy to log out and stay logged out.
The 99 Days Project says, ‘It is debatable whether substitution really is a solution, but if it might help you to slay your addiction one step at the time. If it makes you feel better, keep it up.
3) Have you ever worried that you might be addicted to Facebook?
The researchers say that people who felt that Facebook was addictive were actually MORE likely to go back.
Cornell University wrote, ‘One participant described this habitual aspect by saying, “In the first 10 days, whenever I opened up an internet browser, my fingers would automatically go to ‘F’.’”
The 99 Days Project says, ‘Your mind is playing tricks on you. Believing that you can actually do this, makes it easier to succeed.’
4) Do you feel unhappy?
The researchers found that people who felt less happy were more likely to go back to using Facebook - but, paradoxically, those who stuck out the 99 days and quit felt happier.
The 99 Days Project says, ‘ For many users quitting Facebook is just a simple first step to make their lives more meaningful.
‘Make that portrait, go on that hike, talk to your friends directly.’
5) Do you ever worry about Facebook and privacy?
If the answer is ‘No’ – ie you never worry about Facebook ‘spying’ on you – you could be prone to going back.
The Cornell researchers wrote, ‘Participants who felt that Facebook was monitoring their activity were less likely to return to the site.’
Picture credits: Rex
