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.

How did you score?
A score of 1 or lower, normal social media use

What do you think about the items in the scale?
The items effectively highlight key signs of problematic social media use, such as emotional dependence, interference with daily activities, and relationship conflicts.

Why do you think that different patterns are found across the world?
Different patterns arise due to factors like internet access, cultural attitudes, and family dynamics. Regions with greater internet access may see higher use, while areas that prioritize face-to-face interactions may have lower rates.