Social media more addictive than alcohol?
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Do you love Facebook? What about Twitter? A new study released this week shows just how addictive social networking sites can be. Our Elyse Mickalonis has more on this hi-tech craving.
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Social media. Like it? Love it? Can’t live without it?
“I tried for two weeks and it was really hard,” said Katherinne Rimpel, Binghamton University sophomore.
Many people feel that way, according to a team from Chicago University's Booth Business School that ran an addiction experiment. They used BlackBerrys to test the willpower of more than 200 people from ages 18 to 85 in Germany.
Participants messaged researchers several times a day for a week saying what they craved the most. The results? Social media ranked higher than alcohol and tobacco.
But what makes social media addictive?
“If you’re smoking a cigarette you have to go outside,” said Rimpel. “A lot of people have mobile phones, so it’s easier to go on Facebook and Twitter.”
Experts agree, saying social media can be very addictive, because unlike tobacco and alcohol, things like Facebook and Twitter are free and easily accessible.
"With Facebook and Twitter and any of social networking it seems there can be an immediate jumping into it because everyone thinks everyone else is doing it,” said Dr. Gary Truce, Health and Wellness Professor at Binghamton University.
Still, for some people, social media is just a way to stay connected faster.
“One of the most important things is communication,” said Dapo Onasanya, Binghamton University junior. “Why go to their house when you send them a message over Facebook? It’s quick, easy and really more efficient.”
But not everyone likes social media.
“As addictive as people say it is, I’m not addicted,” said TamaraTheotate, Binghamton University sophomore. “I was never into it. It was just a trend in high school for me.”
Many people say they don’t consider themselves addicted, but know people who are.
“If every five seconds you’re posting things like, ‘I’m eating a sandwich, I went to the bathroom or I’m doing this and this and this,’ enough is enough,” said Erika Flores, Binghamton University senior. “If you’re spending more time updating your status you’re not enjoying what the status is about.”
Perhaps just like other things, with social media in moderation is key.
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Social media more addictive than alcohol?