Facebook logo. — File Photo

ISLAMABAD: Researchers have developed a Facebook addiction test with a scale that Women likelier to be addicted to Facebook than men.

Psychologists from the University of Bergen in Norway have also designed a chart of symptoms signaling whether someone has an unhealthy devotion to social networking, The Guardian Reported.

They studied 423 students for signs of addictive behavior in the way they used and felt about Facebook.

They found that some participants showed clear signs of “Facebook addiction” similar to those exhibited by people addicted to drugs, alcohol and other chemical substances.

Younger people were more likely to become addicted to Facebook than older people and women were at greater risk than men, the researchers said.

People who suffered from anxiety or social insecurity were heavier users of the website, most likely because they found it easier to use the technology than to communicate with people in person, they added.

The study also found that extroverted people were more likely to be addicted to Facebook, while people who were well organized and ambitious were less at risk, using the website primarily for work or networking purposes.

The findings were measured using the “Bergen Facebook Addiction Scale”, a new list of six criteria for each of which a person is given a score from one (“very rarely”) to five (“very often”).

Categories include feeling an urge to use Facebook an increasing amount, trying and failing to limit your use of the website, and feeling unsettled if you are denied access to your account.

The study described that scoring “often” or “very often” on at least four of the criteria suggests you may be addicted to Facebook.

Opinion

Editorial

New terror wave
Updated 27 Mar, 2024

New terror wave

The time has come for decisive government action against militancy.
Development costs
27 Mar, 2024

Development costs

A HEFTY escalation of 30pc in the cost of ongoing federal development schemes is one of the many decisions where the...
Aitchison controversy
Updated 27 Mar, 2024

Aitchison controversy

It is hoped that higher authorities realise that politics and nepotism have no place in schools.
Ceasefire, finally
Updated 26 Mar, 2024

Ceasefire, finally

Palestinian lives matter, and a generation of orphaned Gazan children will be looking to the world community to secure justice for them.
Afghan return
26 Mar, 2024

Afghan return

FOLLOWING a controversial first repatriation phase involving ‘illegal’ Afghan refugees last November, the...
Planes and plans
26 Mar, 2024

Planes and plans

FOR the past many years, PIA has been getting little by way of good press, mostly on account of internal...