Are you addicted to Facebook?

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Wednesday, May 09, 2012

For some users, Facebook can be as addictive as any drug and now scientists have designed a simple test to sort out possible addicts from ordinary users.

Up to 85% of Facebook users log in daily and using social networks activates the same 'reward' centres as sex, food and money.

The 6 point scale is based on the same 'six core elements of addiction' that doctors use to identify alcoholics and drug addicts, as the signs are similar, according to the journal Psychological Reports.

SIMPLE SIX-POINT SCALE SEPARATES HEALTHY USERS FROM FACEBOOK ADDICTS

Here are six basic statements. Answer from the following scale:

1 = Very rarely; 2 = Rarely; 3 = Sometimes; 4 = Often and 5 = Very often.

You spend a lot of time thinking about Facebook or plan use of Facebook.

You feel an urge to use Facebook more and more.

You use Facebook in order to forget about personal problems.

You have tried to cut down on the use of Facebook without success.

You become restless or troubled if you are prohibited from using Facebook.

You use Facebook so much that it has had a negative impact on your job/studies.

If you score 4 (often) or 5 (always) on at least four of these six points, then you could be addicted to Facebook.

Facebook addiction has been found to be more common among younger adults and women rather than men.

It's more prevalent among those who are 'anxious and socially insecure' as they are often too introverted to speak in person but happy to maintain an online contact.

People who are organised, ambitious and extrovert are still keen users of Facebook, but less likely to be addicts, says psychologist Cecilie Schou Andreassen. She developed The Bergen Facebook Addiction Scale and claims it is the first of its kind worldwide.

Facebook users who go to bed late and get up late and also more likely to be addicted, she said. Those with a 'delayed sleep wake rhythm' scored high on the scale.

The quick fire test could lead to people seeking professional guidance and help.