Complete the Social Media Disorder scale.  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 received a score of 1/9 on the Social Media Disorder Scale, indicating that I have a very low prevalence of problematic social media behavior. This means that while I likely have had one mild symptom, it does not significantly interfere with my daily functioning, activities, or quality of life. The scale examines actions like spending excess time on social media, being upset if cannot access it, and skipping responsibilities due to it. My assigning only one point indicates that I appear to have largely good management of my social media use and do not rely on it so much as to cause adverse consequences in my life.

On checking the scale, I learned that the items tapped significant aspects of compulsive use of social media, such as withdrawal symptoms, neglect of school or work, and the use of social media to escape from problems. Even though I may use social media every now and then to waste time or overcome boredom, in general, my usage does not appear problematic. The scale succeeds in identifying habits of addictive activities, which is useful for screening possible issues early enough before becoming major concerns.

Different patterns of social media disorder are observed globally due to different reasons. Cultural norms are a key element as some cultures support digital minimalism whereas other cultures integrate social media into routine communication and occupational life. Availability of the Internet and economic levels also influence people’s use of social media. In places where internet access is widely available and affordable, overuse is more likely among users. Both mental health and social stressors come into play with these behaviors too, as those who are lonely, anxious, or under stress socially reach for social media as an escape. Age and generation also influence social media usage, as younger generations are more active in digital media than older parts of the population.

Overall, my low SMD Scale result means that social media is not harmful to my lifestyle. However, by doing this assignment, I have been encouraged to monitor the way I use social media and keep an eye on my social media behavior.