Are You Addicted to Twitter?
Fortunately when I’m out and about, I have no trouble ignoring Twitter. But when I’m writing or otherwise at my computer, I can’t resist tweeting and checking what others are tweeting. I didn’t finish writing my last book as soon as I could have because I was new to Twitter and mesmerized by it.
Of course, I’m not alone. In fact, the level of addiction is so prevalent, it now has a name: social media addiction disorder and, in particular, Facebook/Twitter addiction disorder. In the research world, there’s growing evidence that this psychophysiological disorder involves withdrawal symptoms, affective disturbances, and the interruption of social relationships.
To be diagnosed with this disorder, you must exhibit at least two or three out of six criteria during a five- or six-month period. Criteria include things like needing an increasing amount of time on Twitter or Facebook, having distress or anxiety after reducing use, and insisting on using Twitter or Facebook for important social or recreation activities instead of emailing or calling on the phone. In fact, according to researchers, tweeting may be harder to resist than cigarettes and alcohol.
You may also qualify as a Twitter addict if you believe that people without Twitter accounts are Luddites, you can’t go a day without tweeting, or you feel compelled to tweet even though your projects are piling up. Or—especially worrisome—your real-life relationships are falling apart because of all the time you spend on Twitter.
Here’s one criterion that, in my view, surpasses all others: Do you sleep with your phone under your pillow or close at hand? Do you wake up during the night to tweet and check tweets? If you answer “yes” to these questions, you need no other methods to know you’re addicted.
Not that Twitter doesn’t have value. In fact, its value as a power tool is unsurpassed. “Tweeting your troubles” is repeatedly included in lists of advice for how to get attention and help if your frammer-jammer is malfunctioning or your travels are disrupted.
But what can you do if Twitter has taken over your life and you want to get it back? The starting point is to acknowledge that you have a problem. Then plan your Twitter time, such as fifteen minutes every three hours. Or set aside some Twitter-only time when you focus exclusively on it without being distracted by anything else. In addition—really important—set aside time without Twitter. Try to transform it into a hobby rather than a habit.
If all else fails, quit Twitter. Deactivate your account. Go cold turkey. Ouch!
For an amusing take on how addicted you are to Twitter, takes this quick quiz created by the relentlessly funny website, theoatmeal.com. I was relieved to discover I’m only 44 percent addicted. Clearly, I could give it up any time. Just not today.
