How the times are changing. Facebook Addiction Disorder is now, apparently, a thing.
We all know how compulsive people can get about social media and Facebook especially. We’ve all witnessed awkward situations where folks were more focused on their phones than, say, their children, friends, or even the pastor speaking in the front of the church. A friend of mine always refers to Facebook as Facecrack, because of that addictive power.
Recent studies have shown this addiction is no joke. There’s even evidence Facebook addiction affects the brain, much like other addictions.
This infographic illustrates some funny and not-quite-so funny places where people have updated their status. Funerals, weddings, work, no place is sacred anymore…Personally the 16% updating while driving worries me most!
The solution, according to the makers of the infographic, is to block Facebook. I don’t know about that one. I think for some people it may be a valid option, especially those with a serious addiction, but for others I think it’s more about becoming more aware of our habits in this area. I’ve recently read Charles Duhigg’s phenomenal book The Power of Habit and this has made me even more aware that it’s all about habits—and how to change them.
Blocking will only make you crave more, maybe even search for a replacement that’s just as unhealthy. Changing the habit into a healthy and productive one, that’s the challenge here.
How addictive is Facebook to you?
Any weird places you want to confess to having done updates? 😉
[Image via Stop Procrastinating]
Ben Suggs says
Great read Rachel! Yikes – sounds like I may need a Facebookers Anonymous meeting! How easily we slip into the extremes…
Rachel Blom says
Yes, we do…What worries me is not just being ‘addicted’ to FB in itself, but what it does to our relationships (and our safety by the way!) We crave human contact, friendships and our social media addiction can’t replace the satisfaction of real connections with others…