facebook addiction essay pdf

• DOI: 10.2466/01.07.18.PR0.110.2.518-520
• Corpus ID: 32721813

Facebook Addiction: Concerns, Criticism, and Recommendations—A Response to Andreassen and Colleagues

• M. Griffiths
• Published in Psychological Reports 1 April 2012

196 Citations

Facebook addiction: a reply to griffiths (2012), chapter 3. does facebook cause addiction an analysis of german facebook users, the psychological and behavioural antecedents of facebook addiction, social networking addiction: an overview of preliminary findings.

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Development of a Facebook Addiction Scale

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Social Media Addiction

• First Online: 18 September 2022

Cite this chapter

• Tayana Panova 4 &
• Xavier Carbonell 4  

Part of the book series: Studies in Neuroscience, Psychology and Behavioral Economics ((SNPBE))

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The immense popularity of social networks such as Facebook has led to concerns about their potentially addictive nature and the ways in which they may be negatively affecting users, especially adolescents. However, despite the fact that “Facebook addiction” and “social media addiction” have become common terms in the media and social dialogue, the empirical evidence at this time does not support the existence of such a psychological affliction for several reasons: (1) The majority of studies on social media addiction are correlational and use self-report questionnaires which are not suitable for diagnosis; (2) Most studies employ non-standardized measures, cut-off scores, and criteria, and (3) There is an absence of case studies, experimental studies, longitudinal studies, and clinical studies in the field. Social interaction is a fundamental human need which social networks facilitate. Therefore, their widespread appeal is understandable. However, although an  addiction  to social media might not exist, there are still various problems that have been associated with social media use, including lower self-esteem, Fear of Missing Out (FOMO), bullying, anxiety, and depression, among others. In this chapter, we review the research on social media addiction, analyze how it fulfills the psychological criteria that define a true addiction, discuss the various problems associated with social media use outside of the addiction framework, and explore how these problems develop as well as look at potential treatments and prevention strategies for them.

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Panova, T., Carbonell, X. (2022). Social Media Addiction. In: Pontes, H.M. (eds) Behavioral Addictions. Studies in Neuroscience, Psychology and Behavioral Economics. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-04772-5_3

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Facebook Addiction

Facebook has rapidly grown to become the most popular social network of all time. The website now plays an integral role in the social lives of many of its users and is even cited as an indispensable tool. Against this backdrop, early signs point towards an unhealthy relationship between the website and some of its users. Aims The study aims to test a number of hypotheses surrounding the usage types and levels of addiction of the users of Facebook. Chiefly of these, the study aims to determine whether users are aware of their addiction, through side-by-side comparison of established addiction criteria and a self assessment question. Methods A questionnaire was developed, based on the Bergen instrument for rating addiction, together with demographic, usage and a single self assessment addiction question. A request to complete the questionnaire was dispatched via Twitter, Facebook and using a university email distribution list within the university of Sheffield. In total 475 responses were received. Results A correlation exists between users’ level of addiction based on the Bergen scale and users’ awareness of their addiction. Use of every function within Facebook correlated with addiction. Those who were addicted were more content engaged, functionally engaged and empowered by Facebook. Conclusions The study paves the way for a significant number of further investigations surrounding each aspect of addiction. Generally speaking, those who use Facebook more and use more individual components of the website are more likely to be addicted. Typically users are good at recognising their addiction.

Related Papers

Tracii Ryan , Sophie Xenos

Alistair Thompson

Facebook has become an important medium for social communication in contemporary culture, with nearly 1.5 billion active users monthly (Facebook, 2015). The expeditious rise of Facebook has led to an expansion in research attempting to determine the effects the site could have on its users. Researchers have raised concerns over the possibility that the site could be addictive, particularly for users with low psychosocial wellbeing, such as those suffering from social anxiety (Ryan, Chester, Reece & Xenos, 2014). The aim of the current study was to test the applicability of the social skills model of Generalised Problematic Internet Use in relation to Facebook addiction. In the process, the study also aimed to determine whether social anxiety could be consider a vulnerability factor for Facebook addiction. Participants (N = 118) completed a self-report survey concerning their Facebook usage, social anxiety, and Facebook addiction. Structural equation modelling suggested that social anxiety explains a preference for online social interaction (POSI) but this does not in turn explain Facebook addiction. Hence, the current study suggests that the social skills model of GPIU is not applicable to Facebook addiction. Additional analysis on general usage, rather than addiction, and determined that the social skills model was applicable to Facebook usage. Results suggested that social anxiety explained POSI which in turn explained Facebook usage such that an indirect relationship exists between social anxiety and Facebook usage fully mediated by POSI. Implications of the results are important to both researchers and practitioners. Specifically, the efficacy of online treatment therapies for socially anxious individuals with a preference for online social interaction is discussed.

Mark D Griffiths

There is relatively little research considering motivations of passive Facebook use. However, research regarding motivations of general Facebook use indicates that people use Facebook to escapee and that escapism may motivate passive Facebook use. Research also suggests that using Facebook to escape is associated with Facebook addiction. Using an experimental vignette design, the present research investigated whether passive Facebook use is motivated by escapism and whether this escape motivation is associated with passive Facebook addiction. A within-participant experimental design using vignettes was used to explore the effect of positivity and, in addition, socialness on passive Facebook use. Addiction to passive Facebook use and perceived effect of passive Facebook use on mood were also assessed. Participants (n ¼ 69) responded to 16 vignettes describing daily life events, as well as responding to a question about passive Facebook use on mood and completing the Bergen Facebook Addiction Scale. Results suggested that individuals did not use Facebook to escape. There was no association between escapism in passive Facebook use and passive Facebook addiction. Social contact had a positive effect on passive Facebook use, and participants perceived passive Facebook use to have no effect on mood. Findings suggest that passive Facebook use is a less effective method of escape than general Facebook use, and reducing individuals' likelihood of experiencing Facebook addiction symptoms.

Steve Sussman

Beáta Bőthe , Istvan Toth-Kiraly

The aim of the present study was to create a short and valid questionnaire: the Multidimensional Facebook Intensity Scale (MFIS). In Study 1 (N = 512), we used exploratory structural equation modeling to explore the basic dimensions of everyday Facebook use. The results suggested four factors: persistence, boredom, overuse, and self-expression. The MFIS also had good reliability in terms of internal consistency and temporal stability. In Study 2 (N = 566), confirmatory factor analysis was conducted in order to assess the factor structure revealed in the previous study. The four-factor first-order and the second order model appeared to be adequate contrasting to the one factor model. Based on target coefficient the four-factor second-order model appears to be the most adequate. In Study 3 (N = 531), the convergent validity of the MFIS was examined in relation to Facebook addiction, Facebook passion, Online Sociability and different personality dimensions. The MFIS can predict Facebook-related activities as liking and posting better than previous Facebook scales. The results suggest that this questionnaire is able to reliably differentiate between different aspects of Facebook use intensity.

Social Networking Sites (SNSs) are virtual communities where users can create individual public profiles, interact with real-­life friends, and meet other people based on shared interests. They are seen as a ‘global consumer phenomenon’ with an exponential rise in usage within the last few years. Anecdotal case study evidence suggests that ‘addiction’ to social networks on the Internet may be a potential mental health problem for some users. However, the contemporary scientific literature addressing the addictive qualities of social networks on the Internet is scarce. Therefore, this literature review is intended to provide empirical and conceptual insight into the emerging phenomenon of addiction to SNSs by: (1) outlining SNS usage patterns, (2) examining motivations for SNS usage, (3) examining personalities of SNS users, (4) examining negative consequences of SNS usage, (5) exploring potential SNS addiction, and (6) exploring SNS addiction specificity and comorbidity. The findings indicate that SNSs are predominantly used for social purposes, mostly related to the maintenance of established offline networks. Moreover, extraverts appear to use social networking sites for social enhancement, whereas introverts use it for social compensation, each of which appears to be related to greater usage, as does low conscientiousness and high narcissism. Negative correlates of SNS usage include the decrease in real life social community participation and academic achievement, as well as relationship problems, each of which may be indicative of potential addiction.

Sheena Horario

Aim: Research into social networking addiction has greatly increased over the last decade. However, the number of validated instruments assessing addiction to social networking sites (SNSs) remains few, and none have been validated in the Italian language. Consequently, this study tested the psychometric properties of the Italian version of the Bergen Social Media Addiction Scale (BSMAS), as well as providing empirical data concerning the relationship between attachment styles and SNS addiction. Methods: A total of 769 participants were recruited to this study. Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) and multigroup analyses were applied to assess construct validity of the Italian version of the BSMAS. Reliability analyses comprised the average variance extracted, the standard error of measurement, and the factor determinacy coefficient. Results: Indices obtained from the CFA showed the Italian version of the BSMAS to have an excellent fit of the model to the data, thus confirming the single-factor structure of the instrument. Measurement invariance was established at configural, metric, and strict invariances across age groups, and at configural and metric levels across gender groups. Internal consistency was supported by several indicators. In addition, the theoretical associations between SNS addiction and attachment styles were generally supported. Conclusion: This study provides evidence that the Italian version of the BSMAS is a psychometrically robust tool that can be used in future Italian research into social networking addiction.

… Journal of Environmental Research and Public …

Abstract: Social Networking Sites (SNSs) are virtual communities where users can create individual public profiles, interact with real-life friends, and meet other people based on shared interests. They are seen as a ‘global consumer phenomenon’ with an exponential rise in usage within the last few years. Anecdotal case study evidence suggests that ‘addiction’ to social networks on the Internet may be a potential mental health problem for some users. However, the contemporary scientific literature addressing the addictive qualities of social networks on the Internet is scarce. Therefore, this literature review is intended to provide empirical and conceptual insight into the emerging phenomenon of addiction to SNSs by: (1) outlining SNS usage patterns, (2) examining motivations for SNS usage, (3) examining personalities of SNS users, (4) examining negative consequences of SNS usage, (5) exploring potential SNS addiction, and (6) exploring SNS addiction specificity and comorbidity. The findings indicate that SNSs are predominantly used for social purposes, mostly related to the maintenance of established offline networks. Moreover, extraverts appear to use social networking sites for social enhancement, whereas introverts use it for social compensation, each of which appears to be related to greater usage, as does low conscientiousness and high narcissism. Negative correlates of SNS usage include the decrease in real life social community participation and academic achievement, as well as relationship problems, each of which may be indicative of potential addiction.

IJAR Indexing

The aim of the research is to reveal the affecting factors that the internet addiction of university students in Turkey. The sample of the research consists of 1203 students and 677 of them are female and 518 are male students and 8 of them missing. Two private two state university in Istanbul and Gaziantep. According to the findings of the first question of the research; the prevalence of internet addiction of university students in Turkey is medium level. Regarding the frequency of internet use, 61 (20.9%) students stated they use internet daily, 89 (30.5%) 2 or 3 days per week, 80 (27.7%) once a week, and 88 (30.1%) once a month. The students spent time as online 5.8 hours per week. Online activities of the students were checking e-mail 75.3%, playing online games 51.7%, chatting 51.7%, educational information searching 51.4%, purposeless web surfing 42.8%, and others 6.8%. Additionally, 30.5% of participants had more than 3 years of internet experience.

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Open Access

Peer-reviewed

Research Article

Facebook addiction and affected academic performance among Ethiopian university students: A cross-sectional study

Contributed equally to this work with: Aman Dule, Zakir Abdu, Mohammedamin Hajure, Mustefa Mohammedhussein

Roles Conceptualization, Data curation, Formal analysis, Funding acquisition, Investigation, Methodology, Project administration, Resources, Software, Supervision, Validation, Visualization, Writing – original draft, Writing – review & editing

* E-mail: [email protected]

Affiliation Department of Psychiatry, Collage of Health Sciences, Mettu University, Mettu, Oromia, Ethiopia

Affiliation Department of Psychiatry, School of Health Sciences, Madda Walabu University, Goba, Oromia, Ethiopia

¶ ‡ MG, WG and AD also contributed to this work equally.

Affiliation Department of Nursing, Collage of Health Sciences, Mettu University, Mettu, Oromia, Ethiopia

• Aman Dule, 
• Zakir Abdu, 
• Mohammedamin Hajure, 
• Mustefa Mohammedhussein, 
• Million Girma, 
• Wubishet Gezimu, 
• Abdissa Duguma

• Published: February 6, 2023
• https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0280306
• Peer Review
• Reader Comments

Addiction is an extreme craving for and commitment to something, physically or psychologically. Currently, addiction to social media is the main emerging technology addiction, especially among the young generation. The main aim of the current study was to evaluate the status of Facebook addiction and its relation to academic performance and other correlates among university students. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 422 students from December 1–30, 2021, and Facebook addiction was examined with the Bergen Facebook Addiction Scale (BFAS). The Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (RSES), Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), and Study Habit Questionnaire (SHQ) were employed to assess self-esteem, anxiety and depression symptoms, and study habits, respectively. Systematic random sampling was used to recruit the subjects, and the data were analyzed by SPSS version 23.0. Statistics such as percentages, frequencies, mean ± SD, and mean differences were calculated. Multiple regression analysis was performed, and all the required assumptions were checked. The statistical significance was declared at a p-value < 0.05 and a 95% CI. Results revealed that, the mean age of the students was 23.62 (SD = ±1.79) and 51.6% of the participants were male. The majority of the participants were addicted to Facebook, and Facebook addiction was positively linked with factors like lower academic achievements and the symptoms of anxiety and depression. In conclusion, Facebook addiction was found to be higher among study participants, and it is negatively affecting their academic performances. Similarly, it was associated with affected mental well-being and reduced self-esteem. It is better for the legislative body of the university to put firm policies in place for promoting safe use and reducing the detrimental effects of this problem among students.

Citation: Dule A, Abdu Z, Hajure M, Mohammedhussein M, Girma M, Gezimu W, et al. (2023) Facebook addiction and affected academic performance among Ethiopian university students: A cross-sectional study. PLoS ONE 18(2): e0280306. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0280306

Editor: Md. Tanvir Hossain, Khulna University, BANGLADESH

Received: April 23, 2022; Accepted: December 27, 2022; Published: February 6, 2023

Copyright: © 2023 Dule et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License , which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.

Data Availability: All relevant data are within the paper and its Supporting Information files.

Funding: The author(s) received no specific funding for this work.

Competing interests: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.

Introduction

In a medical context, addiction is defined as an extreme craving for and commitment to something, either physically or psychologically [ 1 ]. In the current era, internet addiction is the main emerging technology addiction [ 2 ]. Serving as ways of connection among people, addiction to the internet and social media has become a pandemic globally [ 3 ].

Among available social media, Facebook has become the chief means of interaction, especially among university students [ 4 ]. Despite its usage as the bridge of connection, it is considered an emerging challenge in different aspects, especially among the young generation [ 5 ] and university students, partly because of its heavy and aimless usage [ 6 ]. As its users are currently increasing, controlling the detrimental effects of Facebook is becoming more challenging, specifically in developing countries with unconfirmed regulatory policies [ 7 ].

As the studies revealed, extended use of Facebook has led to poor academic performance, bullying activities, decreased face-to-face contact, sleep disruptions, and mental health disturbances [ 8 , 9 ]. Log-in-related distractions such as uploading, commenting, and chatting with friends are leading to procrastination of learning activities [ 8 ] and sinking academic success among university students currently [ 10 ].

The previous study revealed that too much use of Facebook was related to a lower grade point average (GPA) and disturbances in daily routine activities [ 9 ]. It has been reported that students who are more addicted to Facebook have poor study habits and lower academic achievements [ 11 ]. Similarly, those adolescents who were addicted to Facebook demonstrated poor study habits, which resulted in deprived academic performances [ 12 ]. Another study has shown that students with high Facebook addiction had disturbed social interactions and relationships that could affect their future careers [ 11 ].

It has also been reported that extensive use of Facebook is related to behavioral disturbances and poor academic performance among university students, which influences their ways of life and interactions with others [ 13 ]. On the other hand, Facebook addiction has been directly linked to anxiety and depression among university students and has impacted their social lives and mental well-being [ 14 ].

Nowadays, the extensive use of social media could cause substantial disruptions in the academic achievements of university students. Hence, knowing the magnitudes of facebook addiction and highlighting its predictors is so vibrant in forwarding the ways to challenge this problem. However, no study had examined Facebook addiction and its correlates in Ethiopia as far as we could reach, and this study was considered a pioneer in Ethiopia. Therefore, the main aim of this study was to evaluate the extent of Facebook addiction and its relation to the academic performances of regular undergraduate university students.

In the current study, multiple variables were assessed by standardized tools, which makes its findings sounder. In different previous studies, various variables were evaluated in relation to Facebook addiction. The combination of these different variables in the current study makes it unique.

Contribution of the current study

Considering this purpose, the findings from this study will contribute in serving as baseline for future studies. Additionally, it will add value to existing knowledge and help provide evidence-based practices. Furthermore, the results of this study will help planners and policymakers in the context of university education.

Methods and materials

Participants and study setting.

The study was conducted at Mettu University’s College of Health Sciences among 422 undergraduate students. Mettu University is one of the public universities found in the southwest of Ethiopia, about 600 km away from the capital city of the country.

Study period and design

The current study utilized a cross-sectional design and was conducted from December 1–30, 2021.

Eligibility criteria

Those students who enrolled in the regular program and were active Facebook users were included in the study. Daily active Facebook users were those who logged in at least once per day via the mobile app or a web or mobile browser [ 15 ]. First-year students were excluded because of the current Ethiopian educational roadmap [ 16 ], where first-year students are not placed in a specific department but stay on common courses until they reach their second year.

Sample size determination and sampling procedures

nh –sub-sample from each batch

n –The final sample size of the study = 422.

Nh –The total number of students in each batch

N –The total number of students in the college (source population) = 883.

After proportional sub-samples were calculated, the required number of participants from each batch was recruited using a systematic random sampling technique, considering the “K” value, which was computed depending on the registration number of the students ( Table 1 ).

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https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0280306.t001

Data collection instruments and procedures

Structured and pretested original English questionnaires were administered to the participants. The questionnaire contained socio-demographic information and questions to assess the status of Facebook addiction, anxiety, depression, and study habits of the study participants.

Demographic characteristics such as age, sex, academic year, and grade point average (GPA) of the students were collected. Facebook addiction was considered an outcome variable and was examined with the Bergen Facebook Addiction Scale (BFAS). The tool was developed by Andreassen et al. and was constructed on six essential elements of addiction (mood modification, silence, conflict, tolerance, withdrawal, and relapse) [ 18 ]. The tool had six self-report items that corresponded to each basic component of addiction and were scored on a Likert scale of 1 (very rarely) to 5 (very often) [ 19 ]. The tool yields a score of 6–30, in which a higher score indicates greater addiction to Facebook, and the cut-off point for Facebook addiction was suggested by authors as a score ≥ 3 on at least four items (polythetic scoring) [ 18 ]. The tool has been widely validated [ 20 – 23 ] and Cronbach’s alpha was 0.91 in this study.

The Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (RSES) was employed to assess the global self-esteem of the participants. This tool had 10 items, out of which 5 were stated negatively (items 2, 5, 6, 8, and 9) and reversely scored [ 24 ]. For items 1, 3, 4, 7, and 10, the tool scored on a 4-point scale ranging from strongly disagree (0) to strongly agree (3), and the inverse for the remaining items. Accordingly, the higher the score, the greater the self-esteem [ 25 ]. The tool was widely validated [ 25 – 27 ] and has excellent internal consistency in the current study (CA = 0.95).

The occurrence of depression and anxiety symptoms was examined by the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). This tool contained seven items for each sub-scale, which were scored on a scale of 0–3 points [ 28 ], and it was previously validated in Ethiopia [ 29 ]. The Cronbach’s alpha values were 0.79 and 0.84, respectively, for the depression and anxiety subscales, and the higher score indicates a higher level of anxiety and depression symptoms.

Study habits were examined by the Study Habit Questionnaire (SHQ) developed by Thomas et al. [ 30 ]. The tool had 12 items that were worded positively and scored on a Likert scale of 4, from 1 (strongly disagree) to 4 (strongly agree). The Cronbach’s alphas were 0.81 [ 30 ] and 0.90 in the original and current studies, respectively.

Statistical analyses

For all analyses, SPSS version 23.0 (IBM, Armonk, NY, USA) was used. To present categorical variables, percentages and frequencies were employed, while mean and standard deviation (SD) were considered for continuous variables. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) and t-test analyses were used to compute the groups of variables with normal distributions. For post-hoc group analysis, the Tukey HSD test was performed. Multiple regression analysis was performed, all the required assumptions were checked, and no violations were detected. The variance inflation factor (VIF) was used to test for multicollinearity, and no significant collinearity was found. To determine residual independence, the Durbin-Watson test was used, and statistical significance was declared at a p-value of less than 0.05 and a 95% CI.

Ethical approval and informed consent

All participants had signed written consent before data collection, and all information from participants was kept confidential. An ethical clearance letter (reference number: RPG/100/14) was obtained from the ethical review committee of the College of Health Sciences at Mettu University, and the Helsinki Declaration principles were followed to perform the study.

Sociodemographic characteristics of participants

The data from four hundred and three study subjects were fully analyzed, giving a response rate of 95.5%. The participants had a mean age of 23.62 (SD = ±1.79), and 51.6% of them were male. On average, students spend more than an hour (66.97 minutes ± 48.24) daily using Facebook; 50–400 Ethiopian Birr (ETB) were spent monthly for Facebook use, and 42.9% of participants spent ≥ mean value ( Table 2 ).

https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0280306.t002

The independent samples t-test and one-way ANOVA were used to compare Facebook addiction to the mean score of the groups by sex and academic year, respectively, and no significant differences were found among the groups.

Psychosocial characteristics of study participants

The participants in the current study had a mean self-esteem score of 14.74 (8.23), and the mean scores for anxiety and depression symptoms indicated an abnormal (case) level for the study subjects, as shown in Table 3 .

https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0280306.t003

The pattern of facebook use among study participants

The mean score of the BFAS was 16.47 (SD = 5.95), indicating that the average number of study participants were addicted to Facebook. As per the suggested cut-off points (score ≥ 3 at least four items), the majority (67.2%) of the students were addicted to Facebook.

Factors associated with Facebook addiction

Bivariate and multivariable regression analyses were done to detect the predictors of Facebook addiction among students. In the bivariate analysis, anxiety and depressive symptoms showed a positive association with Facebook addiction, whereas the last semester’s GPA, study habits, and self-esteem showed a negative correlation with Facebook addiction at a significant level ( Table 4 ).

https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0280306.t004

In the multiple linear regression analysis, the last semester’s GPA [β: -10.01, 95% CI: -10.85, -(-9.18)], self-esteem [β: -0.091, 95% CI: -0.139, -(-0.044)], anxiety symptoms (β: 0.104, 95% CI: 0.024–0.183), depressive symptoms [β: 0.026, 95% CI: 0.06–0.112], and study habits [β: -0.008, 95% CI: -0.041, -(-0.056)] showed a statistically significant association with Facebook addiction. In the final model, these predictors contributed a total of 69% of the variance in Facebook addiction among university students (R = 0.829, R 2 = 0.687, F = 174.08, P <0.001) ( Table 5 ).

https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0280306.t005

In the current study, there was a significant negative correlation between the GPA of the students and Facebook addiction, in which one unit increase in the student’s GPA from the last semester decreased Facebook addiction by 10.01 (p<0.001). Similarly, as the mean score of students’ self-esteem increased by one unit, the Facebook addiction decreased by 0.091 (p<0.001). On the other hand, a point increase in the mean score of anxiety and depressive symptoms, respectively, resulted in a 0.104 and 0.026 (p<0.05) unit increase in the total score of the Facebook addiction scale among university students.

Due to the rising trends of social media usage among university students, Facebook addiction has been examined in many countries. However, this study, which identified Facebook addiction and its correlation to academic performance and other psychosocial variables, was assumed to be the first of its kind in our country. As the study revealed, 67.2% (95% CI = [62.3–72]) of the students were addicted to Facebook. This finding appeared higher than in the previous studies [ 13 , 31 – 33 ]. The difference in the findings probably resulted from the difference in the study settings and the year of the studies. On the other hand, because the current study was conducted recently, a higher level of Facebook addiction is expected as evidence indicating the increasing use of social media in the current era [ 34 ].

The study found that Facebook addiction has negative relationship with academic performance of the students, as indicated by the last semester’s GPA report [β: -10.01, 95% CI: -10.85,-(-9.18)]. This finding is in agreement with the previous studies conducted in India [ 11 ], Iraq [ 9 ], Pakistan [ 35 ], and Sri Lanka [ 10 ]. Although various studies have found that Facebook addiction has negative effects on university students, a study from Pakistan [ 4 ] found that Facebook could help with communication and information gathering. In another study, Saleem et al. [ 14 ] reported the absence of a correlation between Facebook addiction and the academic performance of the students. The discrepancies among these findings might be due to the result of the parameters used to measure academic performance and the tool used to assess the participants. For instance, in the study that reported the usefulness of Facebook use among students, they employed the qualitative (in-depth interview and focus group discussion) means of data collection, in which the drawing of accurate and reliable data is difficult [ 36 ]. Moreover, in the later study, the authors considered the previous year’s GPA to measure academic performance, which may mask the real effects of current Facebook addiction.

A significant negative relationship between Facebook addiction and self-esteem was discovered in the current study [β: -0.091, 95% CI: -0.139,-(-0.044)] and a positive correlation with the academic achievements of the students. This finding is consistent with the study conducted in Malaysia [ 37 ], where non-addicted students had reported higher self-esteem and better academic performance. The finding seems logical, as individuals with high self-esteem are more confident and likely to perform well. A supportive finding has been reported by Blachnio et al. [ 38 ], in which individuals with Facebook addiction had lower self-esteem and poorer life satisfaction. Similarly, the study conducted in Iran [ 39 ] revealed that lower self-esteem predicted an increase in Facebook addiction among university students.

In the current study, the scores of anxiety and depression symptoms showed a statistically significant positive relationship with Facebook addiction. This finding is supported by a prior study [ 31 ], in which up to 20% of Facebook-addicted students reported anxiety and depressive symptoms. Similarly, the study conducted among Pakistani students [ 11 ] revealed a strong positive relationship between Facebook addiction and the symptoms of anxiety and depression. Furthermore, we identified a number of previous studies [ 32 , 39 – 42 ] that reported the negative correlation of Facebook addiction with anxiety and depressive symptoms in university students.

Even though empirical findings were reached during this study, some limitations are inevitable. For instance, the cross-sectional nature of the current study could limit the cause-effect inference between the outcome variable and its predictors. On the other hand, socio-demographic factors such as the living situation of the students and psychosocial factors were not included. Additionally, only the pattern of Facebook use was examined without consideration of other confounding social media addictions. Lastly, as this was a developing research area in Ethiopia, robust data were not available to compare and contrast the findings.

In spite of these limitations, the results of this study pointed out some imperative findings about the studied problem. Therefore, the current findings could pave the way for any concerned researcher to carry out a future study with a more sophisticated design and to deduce the causal ability of the included and other predictors. The study’s utilization of standardized, validated, and widely used tools was considered a strength.

Although it is considered a major tool of communication, extended use of Facebook causes addiction, which was found to negatively affect the academic performances and mental well-being of the students. To promote the safe and healthy use of Facebook among university students, appropriate behavioral interventions are crucial. To ensure this, it is better for the legislative body of the university to forward a firm policy to control such sites in the compound to overcome their detrimental effects. Moreover, culturally accepted, adolescent-friendly psychosocial interventions are important for the prevention and management of the problem.

Supporting information

https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0280306.s001

Acknowledgments

We are grateful to all the data collectors and study participants.

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• 15. Facebook Inc. Facebook Q4 2019 Results [Internet]. 2020. Available from: https://s21.q4cdn.com/399680738/files/doc_financials/2019/q3/FB-Q3-2019-Earnings-Release.pdf
• 16. MOE. Ethiopian education development roadmap: An integrated executive summary. Policy Draft Document. 2017. p. 1–101.

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• v.10(1); 2021

Why people are becoming addicted to social media: A qualitative study

Maryam chegeni.

1 Social Determinants of Health Research Center, Institute for Futures Studies in Health, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran

2 Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran

Parvin Mangolian Shahrbabaki

3 Nursing Research Center, Razi Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery, Department of Critical Care Nursing, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran

Mahin Eslami Shahrbabaki

4 Neuroscience Research Center, Institute of Neuropharmacology, Shahid Beheshti Hospital, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran

Nouzar Nakhaee

5 Neuroscience Research Center, Institute of Neuropharmacology, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran

Aliakbar Haghdoost

6 Modeling in Health Research Center, Institute for Futures Studies in Health, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran

BACKGROUND:

Social media addiction (SMA) led to the formation of health-threatening behaviors that can have a negative impact on the quality of life and well-being. Many factors can develop an exaggerated tendency to use social media (SM), which can be prevented in most cases. This study aimed to explore the reasons for SMA.

MATERIALS AND METHODS:

This qualitative study was conducted using content analysis. A total of 18 SM addicted subjects were included through purposive sampling. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews and analyzed using the Lundman and Graneheim qualitative content analysis method. A total of 18 SM addicted subjects were included through purposive sampling. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews and analyzed using the Lundman and Graneheim qualitative content analysis method.

The main category of “weakness in acquiring life skills” was extracted with three themes: “problems in socializing” (including communicating and escaping loneliness), “problems in resiliency” (including devastation in harsh conditions and inability to recover oneself and “lack of problem-solving skills” (including weaknesses in analysis and decision making and disorganization in planning).

CONCLUSIONS:

Weakness in life skills plays an important role in individuals’ addiction to SM and formation of the health-threatening behaviors. Since SMA can affect behavioral health, policymakers must adopt educational and preventive programs to increase the knowledge and skills of individuals in different societies in the modern world.

Introduction

Today, social media (SM) (e.g., WhatsApp, Instagram, Facebook, etc.) have enjoyed such rapidly-growing popularity[ 1 ] that around 2.67 billion users of social networks have been estimated worldwide.[ 2 ] After China, India, and Indonesia, Iran ranks fourth in terms of using SM, having approximately 40 million active online social network users over the past decade, these networks have become part of daily lives,[ 3 ] in a way that people can use them to meet any kind of their daily needs.[ 4 ] Despite their benefits, social networks act as a double-edged sword and can lead to behavioral addiction and irreparable negative effects if their users are unaware and if they are used improperly and purposelessly.[ 5 ] In recent years, excessive and compulsory use of SM has been considered as a behavioral addiction.[ 6 , 7 ] This type of behavioral addiction leads to the formation of health-threatening behaviors and serious harm to physical and mental health.[ 8 ] These health threats include: Dysfunction,[ 9 , 10 ] psychological and well-being disorders,[ 11 , 12 , 13 , 14 ] loss of positive emotions,[ 10 ] loneliness, and decreased social communications,[ 15 ] which may reduce the life quality of users and even their families.

Given the extent and significance of the damages caused by SM addiction (SMA), it is essential to identify experienced reasons and conditions for dependency to prevent possible complications and promote healthy behaviors. On the other hand, trying to change the behavior of others without understanding their underlying causes is doomed to fail.

Thus, investigating the experiences of SM addicts can open a new horizon for policymakers. On the other hand, so far, no study has examined these factors in Iranian culture as well as in the general population of all groups in society. Therefore, based on the views and experiences of people having an addiction to SM, this study aimed to explore factors which increase the likelihood of individuals to indulge in social networks. The results of this study can help develop effective prevention programs.

Materials and Methods

Design and participants.

This study is a qualitative research which builds on conventional content analysis. To gain a deeper understanding of SMA, researchers have immersed themselves in data by gaining direct information from participants.

Using purposive sampling, 18 participants were selected from several prominent psychiatric clinics in Kerman, a city in the South Eastern of Iran. These participants had been diagnosed with an addiction to SM and had experienced its related negative effects. It was attempted to consider the maximum diversity in terms of age, sex, duration of addiction, marital status, education, and family support. The general characteristics of participants in the study are presented in Table 1 .

Demographic characteristics of the study participants

All participants were able to communicate face to face in Farsi. The time and place of the interviews were arranged with participants beforehand, and each interview took about 45–60 min in average.

Semi-structured interviews were performed by the first author in 2019. The participants were requested to answer the questions based on their experiences. Questions included, “What factors made you to tend toward SM?,” “What motivated you into using these social networks?” and “What kind of needs do these networks meet?” During the interviews, it was tried to write down those ambiguities and triggers that came to the researchers’ minds in the form of interview memos to be asked in the subsequent interviews and to clarify the related concepts. All the interviews were recorded. Data collection was continued till a saturation point was reached; that is, a moment when the additional sources of data did not give new information.

Data analysis

The data were analyzed using Graneheim and Lundman's approach. The recorded voices of all interviews were typed verbatim. They were then read several times and coded after extracting semantic units. The semantic units were short and meaningful phrases that were extracted from the participants’ responses. These codes were refined; that is, the similar codes were put together or merged. Thus, a number of subcategories and categories were formed and the hidden content and concepts were extracted. Ultimately, the main meaning of the data was derived, and the themes were arranged to show the hidden content of the data. An example of the developed categories and subcategories based on the refined codes is given in Table 2 .

Example of qualitative content analysis process

The Guba and Lincoln criteria were used to ensure the accuracy and strength of the data.[ 16 ] The researchers’ interpretations of the participants’ responses were shared with them during the interviews to ensure their accuracy as well as to increase data credibility. Further, to evaluate the reliability of the collected data, some parts of the interviews alongside the developed codes were returned to the participants to check the consistency of the ideas extracted by the researchers and the participants. The categories and subcategories extracted from the data were also sent to some experts in the field of qualitative studies to be revised, if required, and agreed upon.

This study was approved by the relevant Ethics Committee (IR.KMU.REC.1397.338). The participants were assured that their information would remain confidential and that, if not further interested, they could leave the interview and refuse to collaborate any longer. After obtaining the written consents, the interviews were conducted individually and at a convenient time and place for the participants.

The 18 participants recruited for the study included, half of whom were women. Their ages ranged between 16 and 41 years. Most of them were single and educated.

The results of the data analysis showed one main theme entitled Weakness in Life Skills, from which three themes were extracted: (1) Problems in socializing including the subthemes of problems in communicating and escaping loneliness; (2) Problems in Resiliency including the subthemes of devastation in harsh conditions and inability to recover oneself (inner distress); and (3) Weakness in Problem-Solving Skills, including the two subthemes of weakness in analysis and decision-making and disorganization in planning [ Table 3 ]. Furthermore, predisposing factors in family and society and attractions of SM extracted of interviews was shown in Figure 1 .

Themes and subthemes extracted from data of participants’ experiences

The categories and subcategories of the causes of social media addict subjects

Problems in socializing

For many participants, weakness in social interactions is a factor that leads them to use SM. Two forms of problems in communicating and escaping loneliness were extracted using this approach.

Problems in communicating

According to the participants’ experiences, one of the reasons for their addictive tendency to SM is their inability to communicate properly. They have trouble even in establishing a simple relationship, avoid face-to-face communication, and often fail to gain experience in social activities. Thus, harmful social behaviors and beliefs replace learning useful social behaviors and beliefs. In order to make up for the lack of real-world effective and useful relationships, they become more inclined to SM and indulge themselves in unreasonable tendencies and hence suffer a great deal of damages. A participant said:

We were a large family and I did not get enough attention. I have very limited social relations. I have an introverted personality and I find SM interesting, because I do not see the other person and I can easily talk (P1) .

Escaping loneliness

Another important reason for most participants was feeling loneliness. Being the only child of a family, being the last child of a family, immigrating, divorcing, and so on were among the factors for their feeling lonely. They were looking for an easy and convenient solution to save themselves from loneliness. Since SM was easily accessible and did not require any specific planning, it was the best available way for them to escape loneliness. A participant said:

I’m living alone and have no siblings. The age difference between my parents and I is too much. So I prefer to go to social networks to fill my time. SM have become part of my life (P10) .

Problems in resiliency

Based on the experiences of the participants, problems in resiliency was another major reason for addiction to tending towards SM and getting addicted to it. The bulk of the problems and the lack of proper support, on the one hand, and the ease of access to SM, on the other hand, have made SM a haven of safety to escape from the crises and to continue their activities there. The use of this reason is examined in two forms: Devastation in harsh conditions and inability to recover oneself.

Devastation in harsh conditions

Participants’ experiences showed that because they lacked self-management skills, they were vulnerable to adverse conditions and get devastated quickly. Most of these participants cannot properly manage their problems and do not succeed in maintaining their bio-psychological balance. Hence, they commit more mistakes in escaping the crises. A participant said:

The love failure that I went through in the SM was unbearable. Just to see if I could forget the previous one, I entered another relationship and hence this vicious cycle was repeated (P7) .

Inability to recover oneself (inner distress)

Most SM addicts have failed in dealing properly with their life problems. They could not recover from those difficulties and could not heal themselves. Such failure has prevented them from successfully going through adverse events and attaining social, educational, and occupational achievements. Most of them have not been able to properly recover from their lives’ adverse events and heal their wounds. Hence, they have succumbed to social harms and may undergo serious hurts such as poor health behaviors. A participant said:

I fell in love with a girl on Instagram. But we broke up after a while. I was seriously hurt. Although I loved football, I didn’t go to work out anymore and I wasn’t selected in talent competitions anymore. I got used to smoking and drinking. Although I’m only 17 years old, I’ve committed suicide twice (P8) .

Lack of problem-solving skills

According to participants’ experiences, lack of problem-solving skills has been one of the key factors in individuals’ addiction to SM. These individuals could not easily solve their problems and consequently suffered from other problems such as depression, lack of concentration and attention, anxiety, and the like. These problems made them more likely to become addicted to SM. The use of this reason is examined in two forms: Weaknesses in analysis and disorganization in planning.

Weaknesses in analysis and decision making

Based on the experiences of the participants, they seemed to lack mature defense mechanisms to defend themselves against life crises. As they were unable to analyze them and find logical solutions, they preferred to choose the easiest way to forget and solve their problems. That is why they went into SM. However, the easiest way is not always the best. As being already vulnerable, they were easily hurt by their wrong decisions. A participant said:

My husband had betrayed me, so I got terribly upset. Instead of finding a wise way, I decided to retaliate. I met a guy in the online SM and got addicted to him. So I was always online. Through these networks, this gentleman came into my life. But he suddenly went away and devastated me. I became inflicted with depression and so I had to see psychiatrist and take medication (P5) .

Disorganization in planning

Based on the experiences of the participants, disorganization in life has been one of their major reasons for addiction to SM. Most of them stated that not only have they been purposeless in their lives, but they have been unable to plan properly and rescue themselves from their problems. Hence, they prefer to go aimlessly into OSM. This has caused them to not only lag behind their daily lives but also to undergo numerous negative effects. A participant said:

I do not have any plan for my future, so I do not see a need for it, why should I work? Why should I study? Having fun is the best plan for me. Many guys are like me; they go online without any purpose, and I spend my time with them (P12) .

The findings showed that one of the main reasons for SMA was a lack of life skills. According to the experiences of the participants, the three most important skills were problems in socialization, problems in resiliency, and lack of problem-solving skills.

The problem in socialization is one of the leading factors in SMA that impede people from receiving enough emotional support and acquiring appropriate social-communicative skills. As a result, their relationships with others decrease and to cope with their sense of loneliness and to get sufficient approval and support from others, they start looking for a place to feel calm. SM, due to their easy access and expansive and variable content, persuade these individuals to go more online. Poor communication skills are one of the most important reasons for spending too much time on social networks. These individuals due to get rid of anxiety and stress of face-to-face interactions, they prefer to use the Internet instead of offline communications to meet their interpersonal needs and relationships.[ 17 , 18 ] In line with the results of the present study, numerous studies have also showed that there is a negative relationship between the level of interpersonal communication skills and Internet addiction and have identified shyness and quality of social communications as strong predictors of Internet addiction, in particular, SMA.[ 18 , 19 , 20 , 21 , 22 , 23 , 24 ] In fact, individuals who have communication problems are less sociable and thus spend many hours on the Internet to communicate with others and prove themselves.[ 25 ]

The participants of the study repeatedly stated that escaping loneliness is a major motivation for their continued presence in online social networks. They are looking for a convenient solution to feel less alone, SM provides them with such opportunity, and they do not even need to take on any commitment and responsibility. To ease their discomforts and compensate for their lack of social interactions, these individuals indulge themselves in social networks and hence lose enough social support in the real world.[ 25 ]

A number of researchers consider resilience as one of the effective factors in preventing addiction to SM.[ 26 , 27 ] This was clearly stated by the participants of the present study. Individuals who are less resilient to problems seem more susceptible to SMA. Because these individuals cannot easily accept and endure griefs and sufferings, they are more likely to be in SM. Hence, they use social networks as a defense mechanism for more comfortable tolerance. However, participants stated that if they had exciting entertainment facilities, exciting entertainments, and a secure and well-paid job, they could easily cope with their problems.

Numerous studies have shown that resilience is an important protective factor against Internet addiction[ 28 , 29 ] SMA[ 26 ] and even drug addiction.[ 30 ] Loneliness is one of the factors leading to addiction. However, resilient people are able to cope with it.[ 31 ] It seems that online activities only reduce the negative emotions of escaping reality. While they do not reinforce social skills to solve relationship problems.[ 21 ]

The study findings showed that most individuals who were dependent on SM could not solve their problems well. For this reason, they suffer from anxiety, depression, and insufficient attention and concentration. To control their problems, they resort to poor solutions such as hanging out in SM, which as stated by themselves, act as a temporary remedy. Some of these individuals do not have any plan for their futures and suffer from disorganization in solving their lives’ problems. Thus, to escape such bitter realities, they become severely addicted to SM. These participants see social networks as a safe haven to forget their problems and sufferings. While they might entangle themselves into other problems. In fact, these networks are not always safe havens. According to a study conducted by Ekinci on Turkish students, individuals who had lower levels of problem-solving skills had higher levels of problematic use of Internet.[ 32 ] Furthermore, in a study conducted by Raiha Aftab, it was found that people who possess problem-solving and coping abilities were less likely to become addicted to Facebook.[ 33 ] Resilient individuals have good problem-solving social skills and adopt positive and rational approaches to problems. Therefore, teaching problem-solving skills can enhance resilience in individuals.[ 34 ]

Evidence obtained from the findings of this study shows the detail of the experiences of Iranian individuals who dependent to SM. Also, our researchers’ efforts was to select diverse groups from the general population. However, due to the limited number of participants in the study and the presence of merely Iranian individuals, it is not possible to examine all the factors affecting SMA. Thus, more expansive quantitative studies are suggested.

Conclusions

Since the present study investigated the factors leading to SMA from the experiences of those involved in these networks, its findings can be quite helpful for prevention and even treatment. It seems that improving the quality of social relationships, purposeful actions, and planning to reduce the sense of loneliness, training, and strengthening problem-solving and resiliency skills in families, schools, and universities can help prevent addiction to SM and subsequently to threatening behaviors physical and mental health.

Financial support and sponsorship

This work was funded by the Kerman University of Medical Sciences under the Research Grant 97000283.

Conflicts of interest

There are no conflicts of interest.

Acknowledgements

The authors extend their appreciation to the participants for their cooperation throughout the study. They also appreciate the assistance of Kerman University of Medical Sciences. This study was part of a Specialty Ph.D. dissertation in epidemiology.

Essay On Facebook

500 words essay on facebook.

Facebook has become one of the most famous social networking sites. However, it comes with its own sets of pros and cons. While it has helped a lot of individuals and business to create their brand, it is also being used for wrong activities. Through an essay on Facebook, we will go through all this in detail.

Benefits of Facebook

Facebook is experiencing dramatic growth currently where the number of users has reached one billion. It comes with a lot of benefits like video calling with your close ones and uploading your photos and videos without charge.

Most importantly, it allows you to get in touch with people from the other side of the world without spending a penny. It is also a great way to connect with old school friends and college friends.

Further, you can also make new friends through this platform. When you connect with people from all over the world, it opens doors to learning about new cultures, values and traditions from different countries.

It also gives you features for group discussions and chatting. Now, Facebook also allows users to sell their products or services through their site. It is a great way of increasing sales and establishing your business online.

Thus, it gives you new leads and clients. Facebook Ads help you advertise your business and target your audience specifically. Similarly, it also has gaming options for you to enjoy when you are getting bored.

Most importantly, it is also a great source of information and news. It helps in staying updated with the latest happenings in the world and subscribing to popular fan pages to get the latest updates.

Drawbacks of Facebook

While it does offer many advantages, it also gives you many drawbacks. First of all, it compromises your privacy at great lengths. Many cases have been filed regarding the same issue.

Further, you are at risk of theft if you use it for online banking and more. Similarly, it also gives virus attacks. A seemingly harmless link may activate a virus in your computer without you knowing.

Moreover, you also get spam emails because of Facebook which may be frustrating at times. The biggest disadvantage has to be child pornography. It gives access to a lot of pornographic photos and videos.

Similarly, it is also a great place for paedophiles to connect with minors and lure them easily under false pretence. A lot of hackers also use Facebook for hacking into people’s personal information and gaining from it.

Another major drawback is Facebook addiction . It is like an abyss that makes you scroll endlessly. You waste so much time on there without even realizing that it hampers the productivity of your life by taking more away from you than giving.

Get the huge list of more than 500 Essay Topics and Ideas

Conclusion of the Essay on Facebook

To sum it up, if we use Facebook in the right proportions and with proper care, it can be a powerful tool for anyone. Moreover, it can be great for marketing and networking. Further, any business can also leverage its power to make its business success. But, it is essential to remember to not let it become an addiction.

FAQ of Essay on Facebook

Question 1: What is the purpose of Facebook?

Answer 1: The purpose of Facebook is to allow people to build a community and make the world a smaller place. It helps to connect with friends and family and also discover all the latest happenings in the world.

Question 2: What is the disadvantage of Facebook?

Answer 2: Facebook is potentially addictive and can hamper the productivity of people. Moreover, it also makes you vulnerable to malware and viruses. Moreover, it has also given rise to identity theft.

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