The Risk of Social Media

Social Media Disorder Scale

I scored one out of nine on the Social Media Disorder (SMD) Scale. I answered “yes” to number 4, “trying to spend less time on social media, but failed?”. I have a timer on my phone that asks if I would like to continue using Instagram after thirty minutes in 24 hours. I have pushed the “continue button” more than I care to admit.

Items on the Scale

The questions chosen for the SMD Scale use the mental health framework in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM). Each question can be applied to specific addiction-like symptoms, including preoccupation, tolerance, and withdrawal. Carefully selecting these questions provides clearly defined observable data with the highest loading times for each criterion. Researchers can then use the data to identify problematic social media use. Eijnden et al., (2016) successfully adapted a longer 27-item survey and developed a much quicker 9-item survey with the same validity.  

Differences in the World

Cultural, economic, and technological factors will affect the patterns identified by the data gathered from this survey. For example, less fortunate places without internet will drastically change the study’s outcome. Conversely, highly technological societies are much more susceptible to misusing social media. Social norms regarding social media also play a role in how people use technology. Societal pressures significantly influence how people incorporate social media into their lives.

Conclusion

Social media platforms generate over $200 billion in revenue each year. The profit models of these companies are predicated on human use. Social media companies incorporate social sciences in their design to encourage extended use to generate more revenue. Leveraging human behavior ensures frequent use at the detriment of society. Understanding the psychological mechanisms social media companies use is essential to avoid social media addiction.