Is your social media use harmless or an addiction?

Find out if you’re more than just a fan, and if so, how to curb your cravings.

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Psychologists and researchers are beginning to address this notion, and recent studies suggest that yes, social media may be a serious opportunity for addiction.

The science of social

The University of Chicago recently conducted a study and found social media to be more addictive than cigarettes and alcohol. Addictions are, after all, about feeding a compelling urge, and one of the greatest human urges is to feel connected and part of something larger. Nothing satisfies this urge like logging on and being social at any hour of the day.

It’s difficult to control desires for social media because social sites are easy to access, and giving in to social urges seems far less harmful than giving in to drugs or nicotine.

The study also found a correlation between low self esteem and social network addiction. It’s easier for people who suffer from low self esteem to be social online, and therefore easy for them to form an addiction to sites like Facebook and Twitter.

Address your addiction

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