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FocusSelf ControlTechnology
IS FACEBOOK DAMAGING YOUR BRAIN AND HEALTH?
Posted December 27, 2012October 14, 2021 Dr Jane Genovese
It should come as no surprise that ‘Facebook’ is the number 1 search term on the
Internet.
Now don’t get me wrong, I quite like Facebook. I use Facebook like 1 billion
other people on the planet. I’d probably go on Facebook everyday but I have
limits (e.g. I’m not one to share what I had for dinner or breakfast).
Most of the time Facebook seems pretty harmless but have you ever stopped to
consider the negative effects Facebook may have on your health, productivity and
personal identity?
Below I’ve listed a few things we should all be aware of when it comes to our
Facebook use.
Facebook is highly addictive
You may not see yourself as someone who is addicted to the pokies, but Facebook
has the same addictive qualities as a poker machine.
Facebook is addictive because it’s both unpredictable and rewarding.
You see, many years ago Behavioural psychologist B.F. Skinner conducted
experiments where he gave rats rewards. In one experiment, the rats had to press
a lever five times and then they would receive a pellet.
But in another experiment the pellets would come randomly. The poor old rat
would press the lever 3 times and then get a pellet. Then the rat would press 8
times and receive a pellet. Then after 4 taps, a pellet would come.
What did Mr Skinner find?
The rats worked much harder and became more motivated when the rewards were
unpredictable.
Now the same thing applies with Facebook. A lot of the time our friends’ status
updates can be boring. For example, today’s status updates included “Parking is
crazy!”, “It’s too hot. I’m melting” and “Saw a man trimming his eyebrows at the
lights today. That’s just wrong”
But every now and then when I go on Facebook I see a picture of a friend’s cute
little baby or a hilarious video like this. And I get this Facebook hit. For a
moment, I feel pretty excited.
Here’s the thing though: You never know when something funny or interesting is
going to appear on Facebook. This is why it’s addictive like a poker machine and
you keep going back to check what’s happening (especially when your work gets a
bit boring).
Facebook leads to poorer grades and thinking skills
A recent study found that students that have Facebook running (even just in the
background) when they work get grades that are 20% lower than other students.
The reason for this is that students who study this way typically multitask
(i.e. they switch from one task quickly to another).
The bad news is multitasking impedes your ability to learn information at a deep
level. Studies have even found that you experience a drop in IQ of about 10
points when you multitask.
And if you don’t use Facebook and think you’re in the clear, then think again.
We also know that students who browse the Internet while in class remember less
of what was taught in class than those who have their laptops closed.
Facebook makes you self obsessed
A recent episode of the ABC science show Catalyst explored how narcissism rates
have significantly increased since the introduction of social networking sites
such as Facebook (check it out here).
Narcissism is a psychological disorder that is defined as a pervasive pattern of
grandiosity, need for admiration, and lack of empathy. Narcissists commonly have
inflated egos and come across as arrogant.
Sound like anyone you know on Facebook? Maybe.
All that being said, some people have argued that Facebook and other social
media sites are platforms that encourage us to share personal details with large
numbers of people. In fact, Associate Professor Bruce McKinney states –
“It’s acceptable to say ‘Look at me!’ Now, it’s the social norm.”
Am I the only person who feels uneasy/disturbed about this new social norm?
I hope not, as studies have found narcissism is toxic to human relationships as
narcissistic individuals tend to be more selfish than others.
Facebook is linked to loneliness and depression
Have you ever seen a Facebook status that went along the lines of “I have the
best life! Loving every little bit of it!”?
Chances are you’re more likely to see a status like that than “I’m feeling quite
down. I need help” or “Life is tough right now. Not feeling the best”.
Thanks to the plethora of chirpy Facebook status updates and photos of people
looking like they’re having a blast, many of us develop a distorted perception
of reality.
“Everyone is happy. What is wrong with me?” you may think as you compare
yourself to your friend who has posted a picture of themselves lazing by the
poolside in Bali.
The reality is there’s nothing wrong with you but in an online environment
people have the ability to create whatever identity they want. Your Facebook
friends have complete control over the image they choose to project to the
world.
In the journal article “Misery Has More Company Than You Think, Especially on
Facebook” Stanford university researchers state-
> “We have demonstrated that people make systematic errors in perceiving others’
> emotional lives, underestimating the extent to which other people suffer
> negative emotional experiences and sometimes overestimating the extent of
> others’ positive emotions.”
So what’s the problem if you make an error in perceiving someone’s emotional
life? Well, it could cost you. This research found that people who thought their
Facebook friends were more positive than they actually were were more likely to
be lonely, ruminate and have reduced life satisfaction.
So will these studies stop me from using Facebook? Probably not, but I’m
certainly going to be more conscious of the amount of time I spend on there and
the way in which I use it (no multitasking). In future I’ll also be taking my
friends status updates with a grain of salt and making sure I don’t fall into
the trap of comparing my life to others. And I won’t be posting an image of my
dinner any time soon.
AddictionfacebookNegative impacts
POST NAVIGATION
⟵Simple strategies to strengthen your self control (Part 3)
The Micromovement Method: A fun way for busy people to get things done⟶
3 THOUGHTS ON “IS FACEBOOK DAMAGING YOUR BRAIN AND HEALTH?”
1. Pingback: The Noticeboard 30 December 2012 | Schooled for Life
2. John Mark Deiparine says:
April 29, 2017 at 8:17 pm
Yes, this is really true. The reason that I came into your blog. I am really
unto the Facebook thing and it got me depressed. It feels like there is a
backup world that my mind uses it’s identity. It loses my focus and critical
thinking. Now I deleted the app. I just want to break free from all it’s
falsehoods and reclaim my mind.
1. Jane says:
April 30, 2017 at 12:28 pm
Well done John.
I’ve just reinstalled the ‘Freedom’ app on my laptop to help me better
manage my time online.
I find that when I can focus on doing one thing at a time (rather than
clicking from my work to facebook) the experience is deeply rewarding and
satisfying.
Let me know how you go on your journey to reclaim your mind.
Jane Genovese
Comments are closed.
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