A recent blog post by Jill Laster, a Wired Campus Intern, explored a new study from the University of Maryland. Findings from the study suggests that students are hooked on social media and cellphones, describing withdrawals similar to those used by drug and alcohol addicts.
“The study from the International Center for Media and the Public Agenda, “24 Hours: Unplugged,” asked 200 students on the campus to give up all media for a full day and blog on private Web sites about their experience. Student reaction showed addiction like withdrawal symptoms such as anxiety, misery, and being jittery, the authors wrote.”
Currently, the American Psychiatric Association does not formally recognize “Internet addiction” as a disorder; however, many critics of the study suggest that describing the findings as ‘addiction’ is misguided. However, on a lighter note, the study has also shed light on the fact that students really cared about what was going on in the world.
According to the study, the absence of information– the feeling of not being connected to the world– was among the things that caused the most anxiety in students. Thus, they cared about was going on in their social groups, community and the world at large.
In the grand scheme of things, it is hard to not believe that students rely on social media to keep themselves connected. The face of journalism as we know it has transformed with the rise of such ‘new’ media platforms. While the demand for information continues to push journalists to keep updating 24/7 , then how are we supposed to stay in touch?
According the study, students get their news and information in a disaggregated way, often through friends texting via cell phone, or Facebooking, emailing and Im-ing via their laptops.
On a personal level, I find social media as a very helpful tool in all aspects of my life. However, I’m not completely sure that the word ‘addicted’ would describe my habits. Still undecided if you’re addicted? Check this video and see…
Photo credit: Mike Licht on Flickr
Janet Pulido
May 7, 2010
As a mother of 2 teenage daughters I appreciate the attention to this important subject. Well articulated stuff…thank you!
Blank Slate:
May 25, 2010
Janet, I’m glad you found this post to be helpful. Thanks for the input!