Why Are Social Networks So Addictive? The Secrets Behind the Addictive Nature of Social Networks
All of us who have used Facebook have experienced how it is to simply be hooked to our Facebook news feeds.
We can go from checking our news feeds for five minutes then to each of our friends' profiles, and we end up on the computer, in a single website, for hours and hours.
Most Twitter users also find themselves in the same situation.
They find themselves checking their feeds constantly, and endlessly updating their status with what they're doing right in that moment.
This brings us to one important question that every person who finds himself wasting hours of this day on social networking should ask himself at least once.
According to studies, social networks account for more than 20% of the time people spend online.
There is no single answer to the question of why social networks are so addictive.
There are many possible answers, and for each person, the answer may be different.
First of all, the immediate access of communication gives you millions of people within your reach at any time.
Getting to know new people and reconnecting with old ones can have you flicking from one friend profile to another.
Before long, you've checked out ten profiles, each with ten photo albums, and you've spent about 3 hours on Facebook.
Second, people have a natural love for information about other people.
We like to know who is doing what, who is hanging out with whom, where people go, what they wear, what they eat, what they buy, and so on.
Facebook is a showcase of all these stuff, so it's no surprise it can keep people curious for hours.
Some people also say Facebook is like a mirror that reflects who we are and who we would like to be.
It therefore becomes addictive because it connects with one of a human being's basic need: the need to see and present oneself, the need for identity.
Some people also say that being on Facebook makes people feel connected, like they belong.
Thus, it touches a part of people that wants to feel accepted and loved.
But the blame is not all on the users.
Part of the reason why social networks are so addictive is due to the websites themselves.
Facebook itself is full of apps and games that occupy people's minds.
Ever noticed why Facebook keeps changing its interface, adding new features, and adding new games? Those are all to keep people continuously hooked.
All these factors combined can really make social networks quite addictive.
We can go from checking our news feeds for five minutes then to each of our friends' profiles, and we end up on the computer, in a single website, for hours and hours.
Most Twitter users also find themselves in the same situation.
They find themselves checking their feeds constantly, and endlessly updating their status with what they're doing right in that moment.
This brings us to one important question that every person who finds himself wasting hours of this day on social networking should ask himself at least once.
According to studies, social networks account for more than 20% of the time people spend online.
There is no single answer to the question of why social networks are so addictive.
There are many possible answers, and for each person, the answer may be different.
First of all, the immediate access of communication gives you millions of people within your reach at any time.
Getting to know new people and reconnecting with old ones can have you flicking from one friend profile to another.
Before long, you've checked out ten profiles, each with ten photo albums, and you've spent about 3 hours on Facebook.
Second, people have a natural love for information about other people.
We like to know who is doing what, who is hanging out with whom, where people go, what they wear, what they eat, what they buy, and so on.
Facebook is a showcase of all these stuff, so it's no surprise it can keep people curious for hours.
Some people also say Facebook is like a mirror that reflects who we are and who we would like to be.
It therefore becomes addictive because it connects with one of a human being's basic need: the need to see and present oneself, the need for identity.
Some people also say that being on Facebook makes people feel connected, like they belong.
Thus, it touches a part of people that wants to feel accepted and loved.
But the blame is not all on the users.
Part of the reason why social networks are so addictive is due to the websites themselves.
Facebook itself is full of apps and games that occupy people's minds.
Ever noticed why Facebook keeps changing its interface, adding new features, and adding new games? Those are all to keep people continuously hooked.
All these factors combined can really make social networks quite addictive.
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