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? Yes/No (Preoccupation).

2. Regularly felt dissatisfied because you want to spend more time on social media? Yes/No (Tolerance).

3. Often felt bad when you could not use social media? Yes/No (Withdrawal).

4. Tried to spend less time on social media, but failed? Yes/No (Persistence).

5. Regularly neglected other activities (i.e. hobbies, sports, homework) because you wanted to use social media? Yes/No (Displacement).

6. Regularly had arguments with others because of your social media use? Yes/No (Problems).

7. Regularly lied to your parents or friends about the amount of time you spend on social media? Yes/No (Deception).

8. Often used social media to escape from negative feelings? Yes/No (Escape).

9. Had serious conflict with parents, brother, sister (friends, relationships etc.) because of your social media use? Yes/No (Conflict).

9-item scale measures adolescents degress of addiction to social media. Based on scale from Internet Gaming Disorder found in the DSM-V, for preoccupation, tolerance, escape, persistence, withdrawal, conflict, problems, deception, and displacement. (n= 724), reliability good. Van den Erjnden, RJ.J.M., Lemmons, J.S., & Valkensburg P.M. (2016). The Social Media Disorder Scale. Computers in Human Behavior, 61, 478-487.

Response Options:
Yes – 1
No – 0

Scoring Procedures

Item scores are summed. Endorsement of a maximum of criterion (score of 1 or lower) is classified as normative SMU. 2-5 criteria is risky SMU and 6-9 is problematic SMU.

My Score: 1

How did you score?  What do you think about the items in the scale?  Why do you think that different patterns are found across the world?

I scored well with a 1 equating the bare minimum for normative. The items on the scale do well to represent each of its categories to portray the different characteristics that express SMD. Each characteristic on the scale represents a logical expression that formulates the gestalt of SMD. The different patterns found across the world is possibly due to the many social, economic, cultural, and political factors. In a highly social setting where social media is highly used, the pressures and influence of social media can flourish. In a low economic setting like poverty and lack of financial wealth is present, the tools (IoT, Computers, PEDs, ICTs) alike not being accessible or able to possess these, people will be unable to use social media and have no score on this SMD scale. Politics also can restrict use of social media, as access to social media can be controlled, thus no score as well.