Prompt: Complete the Social Media Disorder scale. How did you score? What do you think about the items on the scale? Why do you think that different patterns are found across the world?

TEST

During the past year, have you …
• Regularly found that you can’t think of anything else but the moment that you will be able to use social media again?

Answer: No
• Regularly felt dissatisfied because you wanted to spend more time on social media?

Answer: No
• Often felt bad when you could not use social media?

Answer: No
• Tried to spend less time on social media, but failed?

Answer: No
• Regularly neglected other activities (e.g. hobbies, sport) because you wanted to use social media?

Answer: No
• Regularly had arguments with others because of your social media use?

Answer: No
• Regularly lied to your parents or friends about the amount of time you spend on social media?

Answer: No
• Often used social media to escape from negative feelings?

Answer: No
• Had serious conflict with your parents, brother(s) or sister(s) because of your social media use?

Answer: No

To preface, I swear I’m not lying. I have 0 social media presence, no Instagram, no Twitter (x), no Facebook, and no personal YouTube account. (I have a student one just for the purposes of completing assignments) My mother instilled in me at a very young age a healthy fear and skepticism of social media applications. I’ve only recently made a Snapchat and LinkedIn account, which I never post on, using both as just Instant Messaging apps. (For some reason college students do NOT like handing out their phone numbers, and insist upon using Snapchat for all personal messaging.) If someone were to write ‘yes’ on more than two of any of the questions, I’d personally consider them addicted, and in needing intervention. (Maybe that’s a little harsh…) I believe there are differences worldwide due to the differing levels of advancements in the world. In Europe and the West at large, there is more free/leisure time for individuals, resulting in increased social media usage. One could ascribe Masolv’s hierarchy of needs to this phenomenon, with their basic needs met resulting in higher social media usage. (People looking to fulfill self-actualization and self-esteem needs)