Social Media Disorder Scale (SMD Scale)
Please answer the question by thinking of your experience with using social media (e.g., WhatsApp, SnapChat, Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, Google+, Pintrist, forums, weblogs) in past year. Answer the questions as honestly as possible. According to DSM, at least five (out of the nine) criteria must be met for a formal diagnosis of “disordered social media user”.

During the past year have you…

1. Regularly found that you can’t think of anything else but
the moment you will be able to use social media again? No
2. Regularly felt dissatisfied because you want to spend more
time on social media? No
3. Often felt bad when you could not use social media? No
4. Tried to spend less time on social media, but failed? No
5. Regularly neglected other activities (i.e. hobbies, sports,
homework) because you wanted to use social media? No
6. Regularly had arguments with others because of your
social media use? No
7. Regularly led to your parents or friends about the amount
of time you spend on social media? No
8. Often used social media to escape from negative feelings? Yes
9. Had serious conflict with parents, brother, sister (friends,
relationships etc.) because of your social media use? No

On the Social media disorder scale, I scored a 1/9. My score didn’t really surprise me since I rarely use social media. I was a little surprised by the scale since it doesn’t really seem like it would be an accurate determination of whether someone has a Social media disorder. I feel that the scale can be used as a general tool to see if someone may have a social media disorder, but they would need a proper medical diagnosis to confirm. Also, I believe that the results of the scale could vary depending on what people may be going through at that point in their lives. I feel that if someone is going through a bad hard time, they could rely on social media more to get them through it, which could result in them scoring higher on the scale than they would at another time in life. I believe that different patterns are found around the world because of access and possibly culture. The accessibility of the person could determine their use of social media and how often they use it. I also believe that someone’s cultural beliefs can affect how often they use social media.