Compulsive and Addictive Behavior

Compulsive and Addictive Behavior

THE FACEBOOK OBSESSION

Recent statistics say that about 50% of all persons between 18 and 34 open their Facebook page after waking up each morning (Reimer, 2013). More than half of them do so on their smartphones even before getting out of bed when they wake up. Almost half of young Americans surveyed said they obtain their news through Facebook. Other youngsters consider Facebook not only a medium of interaction with friends but also about news and developments. More than 10% of all persons aged 25 and younger as against only 6% of older ones can be interrupted during sex by a Facebook message; 22% of this same age group during a meeting as against only 11% of older adults; 24% will be interrupted while on the way to the bathroom as against only 12% among older ones; and 49% during a meal as compared to only 27% among older persons. These statistics also say that 48% of Facebook users make updates and check for notifications when they are already in bed; and 18% of those 25 and younger cannot do without a few hours of checking out of their Facebook page (Reimer).

Overall addition statistics reported that the worldwide popularity of Facebook has led psychologists to identify a new mental health disorder they call "Facebook addiction disorder (Reimer, 2013). Facebook addiction has been rising because of its human characteristics, which render it naturally addictive. It satisfies the natural inclination of peeping Toms and they are at least potentially in each person. Facebook gives information about friends and past lovers by simply clicking a mouse. It enhances the ego when photos are placed on the wall and friends "like" them. Indulgence in Facebook makes users feel somewhat like celebrities. It boosts the mind and makes the user feel less alone. On the whole, it appears to fill the basic human needs as identified by psychologist Abraham Maslow. He arranged and defined these needs in a hierarchy, which represents the emotional growth and development of a typical person. These are physiological, security, social, esteem, and self-actualizing needs. Facebook gratifies the social needs of users, such as the need for love, affection, and a sense of belonging through relationships with family, friends and romantic partners. Users seem to achieve self-esteem from social recognition and a feeling of person worth. Satisfying these fundamental human needs are the reasons why users develop Facebook addiction (Reimer).

A Norwegian study came up with a psychological scale to measure the extent and depth of Facebook addiction (Paddock, 2012). This is the Bergen Facebook Addiction Scale or BFAS. It was invented by Dr. Cecilie Andraessen and her team, the leading researchers on Facebook addiction. They found that, as of April 2012, there were more than 900 million active users worldwide. They also found that the anxious and socially insecure use Facebook more often than the less anxious and socially insecure. They explained it to mean that the anxious and socially insecure find it easier to interact with others through social media than to encounter others face-to-face. They likewise found that those who are more organized and ambitious were less likely to be addicted but use social media only as an important part of their work and networking. Women more than men are likely to fall become addicted because of its social nature (Paddock).