The Facebook Addiction

Reprinted from Friday, August 28, 2009 You walk past the computer, you stop, you click your web browser, you navigate to Facebook, you log on, you’re just going to check the latest postings rom your friends and then log back off. But since you’re already logged on you might as well check your Farmtown, Farmville, Roller Coaster Kingdom, Sorority Life, Mafia Wars, play a couple quick games of Farkle and Bejeweled Blitz. Don’t forget to hit your friends with a pillow, sling some food at them, and send them a smile and a heart. How about a dancing fruit or vegetable, join a couple causes, or show support to your favorite team? And best of all, you have a new friend request. Who is this? Oh well it doesn’t matter they want to be my friend. Now I have 652 friends and counting. What was going to be just a momentary glance has now turned into 2 hours of internet time. The clock is at midnight and you’re still accepting gifts and farming. How did that happen? What is it that draws so many of us to the social networking phenomenon? An addiction? The numerous activities that have introduced themselves to us through the Facebook site has created many countless, although mindless, hours of internet enjoyment. Facebook has truly evolved into a craze with its networking and social interaction. People are connecting with current friends, reconnecting to old friends and making new friends for the future. So is this a problem to be reckoned with or just a passing fad? Some bloggers have given this and other website addiction behaviors names such as; Internet Addiction Disorder (IAD) Facebook Addiction Disorder (FAD) YouTube Addiction Disorder (YAD) Twitter Addiction Disorder (TAD) Blackberry Addiction Disorder (BAD) Facebook and other social networking sites fill a need to connect that many people want. It allows for multitasking of our connection to people who are important to us. It allows the introverted to be extroverted without leaving home. Family members can stay in touch at the click of a mouse with photos, video clips and web postings. Social networking can be considered addicting when it takes priority over the goals and responsibilities of everyday life. Yet unlike other addictions, such as drug, tobacco or alcohol, it is much easier to quit, it is not directly physically harmful and will in many cases phase out in time. So while social networking provides many benefits it’s still important to remember to connect to the outside world. Take a walk, go for a bike ride in the park, read a book, turn off the electronic devices and enjoy the outside world. The internet is only one way of connecting to the world, take a moment and explore your options.