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+, Pinterest, 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”. This is designed for personal insight and is not a
substitute for professional diagnosis or advice. For each statement below, answer “Yes” or “No”
based on your experiences over the past 12 months.
1. Preoccupation: Do you frequently find yourself thinking about social media or planning to use
it? Yes/No
2. Tolerance: Have you felt dissatisfied because you want to spend more time on social media?
Yes/No.
3. Withdrawal: Do you feel restless, irritable, felt bad or upset when you are unable to use social
media? Yes/No.
4. Persistence: Have you tried to spend less time on social media, but failed? Yes/No.
5. Displacement: Regularly neglected other activities (i.e. hobbies, sports, homework) because
you wanted to use social media? Yes/No.
6. Problems: Regularly had arguments with others because of your social media use? Yes/No.
7. Deception: Regularly lied to your parents or friends about the amount of time you spend on
social media? Yes/No.
8. Escape: Do you use social media to forget about personal problems or to relieve negative
feelings such as guilt or anxiety? Yes/No.
9. Conflict: – Had serious conflict with parents, brother, sister (friends, relationships etc.)
because of your social media use? Yes/No
Scoring
• 7 Yeses
• Problematic usage.
Citation: van den Eijnden, R. J. J. M., Lemmens, J. S., & Valkenburg, P. M. (2016). The Social
Media Disorder Scale. Computers in Human Behavior, 61, 478–487.
There are different patterns around the world regarding phone usage because it will change
depending on how you live and your environment. Also, the type of person you are can also
depend on how much you use your phone. I feel like this scale will really determine who your
are.