Starting last Friday, students were assigned to not use Facebook for a week. Honestly, I thought this was going to be an easy task because I am not addicted to Facebook. I am not one of those people that puts statuses up all the time, however, I use it to communicate with friends and to see what is going on.
I was most definitely wrong about this being a breeze in the park. I have a bookmark for Facebook and it didn't occur to me how much of a habit it has become. It is so easy to pull up Facebook when I am using my computer even if I am doing homework or writing a blog. I will always have more then one tab open and it is always Facebook. So, this was very hard and I didn't realize how much I use and rely on Facebook. I had a few slip ups and realized "AH I am not supposed to be on Facebook" and then would exit out.
Facebook has become so popular and a lot of students use this all the time. Many people are actually becoming addicts to using Facebook but I would never consider myself an addict. According AddictionInfo.org "Frequent Facebook visits actually cause something that psychologists refer to as intermittent reinforcement." I don't believe that I qualify as an addict because getting on Facebook and receiving messages or notifications do not give me a "high." I would refer my use of Facebook to procrastination. An addict will get lost in time when using Facebook and has to be on it 24/7.
People that are addicts use social media as a way to socialize with others instead of going out and being with friends. Where do you stand with your relationship to Facebook? Would you consider yourself an addict to this social media?
I'd have to admit that I was pretty addicted to Facebook until recently. But I think I've decided to remain in Hiatus.
ReplyDeleteWhile not with Facebook, I've noticed that I exhibit a lot of that sort of behavior with Google Reader. There's always something new or interesting to look at on Wired or Lifehacker, and it's very easy to just keep it up in a second tab and switch over from time to time to look at some articles. I suspect it's the same way with Facebook for many, and I waste time there occasionally, but a lot ofwhat you're talking about is non-specific to a particular website or object. Nice post!
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