9 Jun 2012

ADDICTED TO FACEBOOK?

EVER since I signed up to Facebook in 2007, there has not been a day I have not logged on to check my profile and news feed.
The moment I wake up in the morning, I check the feed on my smartphone — before I even have a cup of tea or get dressed.
I check it at least every hour and I’ve even started using social networking as a time-filler.
If there is a moment in the day where I am feeling bored, I will go straight on to Facebook rather than make a phone call to someone or read a book.
I even check my news feed during all the advert breaks when I’m watching the telly.
I have the Facebook alerts switched on just to make sure I am aware as soon as I get a notification. It panics me if I know someone has uploaded photos that I am tagged in and I can’t check them immediately. 
I have tried to wean myself off Facebook over the past year but I just couldn’t cope without instant access to it.
I have 520 Facebook “friends” but I only regularly communicate with around 20 of them.
I am very fearful of missing out on people’s conversations on Facebook or being behind on their news if I don’t check the site every hour.
I realised that my addiction was getting worse when I found myself checking my phone for updates in the middle of the night.
If the Facebook alert tone wakes me, there is no way at all that I could wait until the morning to find out what it was about — I would have to check straight away.
I would never delete my profile. I tried to go without Facebook for a week once but I became very irritable and ended up giving in after two days.


- Dulcie Pearce, 24, talking to The Sun newspaper. More

Sounds scary, right? And don't think you are immune just because you don't use FB or any similar sites, as a blogger you have the potential to become just as addicted.

Anyway .........

The University of Bergen, Norway, have come up with a test that ascertains whether or not you are addicted to FaceBook.


Based on the six core elements of dependency used to spot alcoholics and drug users, it uses key questions which show how hooked you are on the social networking site.


Wanna take the test?


Use the Bergen scale to assess yourself on the statements below:
1 = Very rarely; 2 = Rarely; 3 = Sometimes; 4 = Often and = Very often.
  • You spend a lot of time thinking about Facebook or plan use of it.
  • You feel an urge to visit Facebook more and more.
  • You use the site in order to forget about personal problems.
  • You have failed to cut down use.
  • You become restless if you are prohibited from visiting Facebook.
  • You use it so much it has had a negative impact on your job/studies.
A score of 4 or 5 on at least four of the points could mean addiction.

Phew, the good news? 


......... to FaceBook


The not so good news?


If I substitute the word 'Blog' for 'FaceBook' I probably have a problem.


What about you, are you addicted?


14 comments:

anilkurup59 said...

No , not too bad. I guess.

Kelly said...

Having somewhat of an addictive personality, it's easy for me to get obsessed with things. I don't do FB, but I found myself quite addicted to Twitter at first (though that obsession has passed and I'm lucky if I check it once a day, even then skipping most of the tweets).

Now my blog is a different thing. Even while on vacation recently I found myself looking for shadows to photograph, etc. so that I'd have things to share when I returned. Still, I was able to "disconnect" for close to a week. ;)

The Bookworm said...

It's funny how easily people can become addicted to facebook. Personally, I can easily do without it. Like you say, when it's my blog, that's a whole nother thing entirely. I am easily hooked on my blog and blog land in general.

Alexia561 said...

I have an addictive personality but luckily (?) I also am easily bored, so move on to the next addiction pretty quickly. Am really surprised I'm still blogging after three years, and think that's a new record for me!

Suko said...

I'm not addicted to FB, but it is difficult to stay away from my blog for too long!

Jenners said...

Whew! I'm not addicted to Facebook. And I'm really not addicted to blogging but I was at one point. I found my balance then and am much more laid back about it now.

DMS said...

I am not addicted to FB- but have some friends who are. I am definitely more addicted to my blog- but in feels more productive (maybe that is the addict in me justifying my actions). :) I have an addictive personality- so I am glad that FB didn't drag me in! I use it, but not in an addictive way.

~Jess

Kalyan said...

even without the test, i know I'm addicted.

ashok said...

its still a safe addiction...

chitra said...

Not an addict but use it well for my business.

NRIGirl said...

No. At least not yet!

brandileigh2003 said...

I'm not addicted to facebook, but like you, I am to my blog :)
Brandi from Blkosiner’s Book Blog

Gina said...

Umm, yeah...same here, on all counts. ^_^ Happily addicted and sharing the boat. (LOL!)

carol said...

I'm not addicted to Facebook - now Pinterest may be another story.