I warn you!

As mentioned in one of the previous blogs “Are you addicted?”, a social media addiction does really exist. Besides an addiction, social media apparantly can cause another “disease” called a social media burn-out. According to Internet expert Jim Stolze, more and more people in their thirties are suffering from a social media burn-out. “As soon as you turn on your mobile phone, laptop or Ipad, the messages start to come in. This can be pleasant, but also very compulsory” according to Jim Stolze.

An example is Boele Ytsma, once called the Internet vicar. He believes that in his case his burn-out was caused due to the fact that his attention was so distracted by the social media. In order to recover, Ytsma discontinued his Twitter and Facebook accounts and nowadays he checks his email account only a few times a week.

Why people in their thirties? People who are younger are used to the fact that not all the information received is manageble but older people, who experience real letters and stamps can’t get used to the fact that they have to make a choice between all the informations flows.

This means that us youngsters don’t belong to the high-risk group but if you do get a social media burn-out in the future, you can’t say that I did’t warn you!

Are you addicted?

“People who don’t have an e-mail account, don’t need to check their e-mail account”. A couple of years ago, this was a wise saying but recently, there are numerous social media networks who ask our attention 24/7.

“My name is Juliette and I am addicted to social media. Hi Juliette”. Can you imagine? Some kind of anonymous social media addicts, just like regular AA meetings.

It might sound silly but recent studies show us that there are people who are really addicted to social media! A study among 1000 Internet users shows us that almost 50% of the people check their Twitter and Facebook before they go to bed. Moreover, 42% of the people check their social networks immediately after they woke up and half of them is still in their bed when they do that! It is also striking that 40 per cent don’t mind to be disturbed by social media during other businesses, like during meal or, even more shocking, during lovemaking! That is the end of romance!

Are you addicted too? Please check the symptoms and the video below:

·         You answer your phone with your Twitter nickname

·         Your family and friends had to read on twitter that you are pregnant/ homeless/engaged/divorced

·         Instead of saying “goodbye” you say “send me a DM”

·         You don’t know your neighbours , but you know everything about your good “friends” in Canada, South Africa and India