Social networking, a new online addiction: a review of Facebook and other addiction disorders

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Facebook is the world's most widely accessed social network, where millions of people intercommunicate. Behavioral and psychological changes relate to abusive and uncontrolled use creating severe impacts on users' life. METHOD: A critical revision was performed through MedLine, Lilacs, SciELO and Cochrane databases using the terms: "Facebook Addiction, " "Social Network Sites, " "Facebook Abuse. " The search covered the past 5 years up to January 2015. Articles that examine dependence on Facebook in the general population were included; we analyzed how this concept evolved over the last five years, and hope to contribute to the better understanding of the issue and its impacts. RESULTS: Although controversial, published reports correlate Facebook addiction to mechanisms of reward and gratification. Some users developed an abusive relationship stimulated by the false feeling of satisfaction or as a way to feel better or more self-assured (increased level of excitement or escape). Studies from several countries indicate different prevalence, probably due to lack of consensus, and the use of different denominations, giving rise to the adoption of different diagnostic criteria. CONCLUSION: Social Networks are modern communication tools; however, not only benefits, but also subsequent damage caused by its abusive use must be monitored. Many users with abusive usage and dependence recognize significant losses in their personal, professional, academic, social and family lives. Further investigation is needed to determine if abusive Facebook usage is a new psychiatric classification or merely the substrate of other disorders.

O Uso de Internet e Redes Sociais e a Relação com Indícios de Ansiedade e Depressão em Estudantes de Medicina

“…A internet favorece a comunicação e a busca de informações e além disso é uma importante ferramenta de contato social 12,13 . Desde a década de 1990, a internet tornou-se parte essencial do cotidiano 15 .…”

Internet-Communication Disorder: It's a Matter of Social Aspects, Coping, and Internet-Use Expectancies

“…Previous studies for example demonstrated the relationship between ICD symptoms and depression as well as social anxiety (De Cock et al, 2013; Panek et al, 2013; Hong et al, 2014; Bodroza and Jovanovic, 2015; Laconi et al, 2015; Moreau et al, 2015; Guedes et al, 2016). Shyness and low self-esteem have also been linked to ICD symptoms in general or Facebook addiction in particular (Chak and Leung, 2004; Steinfield et al, 2008; Omar and Subramanian, 2013; Panek et al, 2013; Bhagat, 2015; Laconi et al, 2015; Guedes et al, 2016).…”

“…In contrast to SNS, social games and information search are not main features of communication applications. (Amichai-Hamburger and Vinitzky, 2010; Kuss and Griffiths, 2011b; Floros and Siomos, 2013; Guedes et al, 2016). However, there is a growing amount of individuals experiencing negative consequences due to excessive use of the Internet or various online applications, such as online communication.…”

“…Shyness and low self-esteem have also been linked to ICD symptoms in general or Facebook addiction in particular (Chak and Leung, 2004; Steinfield et al, 2008; Omar and Subramanian, 2013; Panek et al, 2013; Bhagat, 2015; Laconi et al, 2015; Guedes et al, 2016). On the other hand, Jelenchick et al (2013) found no direct effect between SNS use and symptoms of depression.…”

Treatment outcomes in patients with Internet Addiction and anxiety

“…This aggravated internet use and anxiety in these patients, a fact that had also been observed in other studies. 48,49 Our study found a higher prevalence rate of women in the treatment group (29 women, 13 men); the control group presented a 50-50 score of 21 men and 21 women. Only two studies showed this difference in prevalence rate among males and females, presenting higher rates in females 48,50 while most studies found either a higher prevalence among males 51,52 or equal prevalence.…”