The FaceBook Addiction
@chipesterkhan (2925)
Philippines
January 14, 2011 3:43am CST
"Facebook me" or "friend me on facebook"
That's what I currently hear a lot nowadays.
What started out as a small project for a bunch of small time programmers has conquered the world.
I guess the saying "Nerds will rule the world" finally came true.
Its on everyone's mind even if they won't admit it.
I was addicted to facebook for quite a few months because of the games you could play and the amount of interaction that comes along with this social network. I'd hurry home just so I could log in and check new messages, new friend requests, new pictures and then play Mafia Wars and Farmville (the 2 biggest games then, I don't really know if it still is today). I was so addicted I reached level 520 on my Mafia Wars character and had a huge plantation on farmville.
The more I was logged into Facebook, the more I forgot about the important things in life. Like actually being with my girlfriend instead of chatting with her, like earning real world money instead of looting millions in Mafia Wars and actually breaking a sweat instead of plowing with a few clicks on Farmville.
Needless to say, I gained weight and lost quite a few brain cells during those weeks.
I consciously stopped logging in to Facebook because I knew I was already addicted. I didn't delete my account though. I just stayed away from computers and the internet to cure myself. I learned that in order to fight an addiction you'd have to be honest with yourself and come up with a plan.
At first I longed to log in.
My hands were itching.
I was restless.
I was going through a withdrawal stage and just like any addiction it was quite tough.
It was only by thinking about all the wasted time that I was able to convince myself not to. I had a lot of mental arguments with myself, to the point where it was schizophrenic in nature! hehe
So here I am now 6 months since that time and I'm doing ok. I log in to facebook every now and then (once or twice a month) and log out just as fast when I've checked all the new things out.
Facebook is the new drug. It's effects are just as devastating to an individual if they are not careful about their usage habit.
Are you addicted to Facebook?
1 person likes this
13 responses
@mykmari_08 (2464)
• Philippines
16 Jan 11
Hi, friend.
It's been about a couple of months since I last logged on to mylot, if I'm not mistaken. And honestly, I have to say that this particular discussion of yours brought a smile in my lips.
Not because I'm addicted to Facebook because I won't ever be, but because I'm quite delighted to discover that there are other people like me who think that Facebook doesn't have to own their lives. I just like to clear myself when I said that I won't ever be addicted to Facebook. You see, like most of us, friends have urged us to create a Facebook account even if we don't intend to, in the first place. But despite nudges from family members, several relatives, officemates, and friends; I remained hardheaded as I am and refused to have a Facebook account up to this very day. Part of the reason I refused to have one, was the fact that my husband blatantly disliked the idea. And because I don't want to start a quarrel with him, I simply followed him. Also, I'm quite a busy person; because like most other moms, I have to juggle office work, and being a mom and wife. Plus, mylot and other online earning programs I attend to during my leisure hours.
Eventhough I'm not a member at Facebook, I'm quite irritated by this site, actually. In one of my discussions here, I mentioned about Facebook and what irritates me is the fact that it creates an addiction where my mom and aunt have fallen victims of that site.
Personally, I can't see any benefit one gets after harvesting their produce in Farmville. It really pains me that my mom, who is already a senior citizen, spends so much time and even stays up late at night, just to harvest and plant again...and again. If the harvest was a real one, I wouldn't be so against it.
Anyway, the point is, people have to know when to stop. Interacting with friends is okay but I believe it's much more personal if people and relatives meet up and share real laughs.
Just a thought. Oh and before I forget, I'd like to say that you're a good writer. Regards.
1 person likes this
@chipesterkhan (2925)
• Philippines
16 Jan 11
thank you for the kind words
i didn't know a lot of people felt the way i do about facebook
i'm not saying facebook is entirely bad though
facebook helps reconnect people with old friends
it's just when you spend every waking hour thinking about facebook that's bad
:D
your mom must have a really awesome farm if she stays up just for that haha
again thank you very much
@raviteja_ravi84 (2620)
• India
14 Jan 11
Wow seems you are an addict on facebook and we all are i guess right? No one would live without facebook for even an hour or even less. I am also addicted to facebook here. I don't know why but there is something about that site that calms an relaxes my mind. It keeps all my friends in touch and that way i can talk with whom i want to and where i want to. I can play games, view friend's profile and even watch pictures. There's almost nothing that anyone can't do on facebook.
Cheers!
@apples99 (6556)
• United States
15 Jan 11
I enjoy facebook but I would not call myself an addict its just somthing do in my spare time I like playing cafe world, and chatting there sometimes, but am I an addicted maybe in a playful way but not in away where its causing conflict in my life its just for occasional fun.
But I'm sorry to read that anyone is becoming addicted to anything especially a website thats meant for occasional fun.
@besthope44 (12123)
• India
18 Jan 11
Hi chipesterkhan,
True, even am of same kind. I was amazed by facebook as i got most of my old friends back. And now the games keeps me busy and never worried about boring days. But sure, i will say the addiction is surely there, which we have to control our heart towards it.
Enjoy mylotting
Cheers!
@sophiaraine (1113)
• Philippines
16 Jan 11
I'm not addicted to facebook. I log in everyday but I don't play. I used to be a gamer. Playstation 1 was still the hottest console that time, and I was addicted to it. So, having a history of being addicted to games, I try to keep a safe distance away from it until I managed to play a few games every now and then at a controlled state. I only add friends I personally know. Online friends who wants to be friends with me on facebook are being turned down. I only accept people I know or people who are familiar to me.
Nerds will definitely rule the world. Technology won't ever go down. It's direction will always be upwards. I was shocked when I heard the news about how facebook started and it was started by a bunch of young college programmers. Me, being a programmer as well, became inspired. I'm gonna need to improve my skills every now and then to keep up with the technology. I wanna build something that will make the world recognize me as a smart individual. 
@rushian09 (139)
• Philippines
14 Jan 11
Truly Addict, because of the GAMES... Games are addicting to play, so stop playing. lol
@basketballstar (6)
• United States
14 Jan 11
Yeah, if your on facebook, Check OUT www.facebook.com/DellUniversityKY ! They have a great page!!!!
@maezee (41988)
• United States
14 Jan 11
Yep, I'm pretty addicted to Facebook too. All of the notifications I get are sent directly to my phone. I rarely ever go on it on a real computer though, which is nice. I don't play the games, but I like updating my statues...And looking at pictures...Adding pictures...And the like. I couldn't imagine spending hours upon hours on it, unless I was chatting with a friend or something. I do like it though and can see why others do too. But do people go overboard? Definitely.
@eurekafemme (5876)
• Philippines
14 Jan 11
Hi there.
There was a time in my life when I got so bored and did not know what else to do. So, I opened a facebook account and add everyone I came across with who seem interesting enough for me. I founds it a good thing because I was gaining a lot of friends and I was no longer feeling alone. I played only Yoville but it had me hooked further to the site.
I checked everything, just like you do. New messages,notifications,, friend's request and even updates from my so called friends. I did enjoy the feeling of having to interact with someone.
However, my addiction was just temporary. I got bored reading updates from the same people and even new messages seem not so interesting enough for me to read. I even ignored some people's friend's request and yoville invites. I guess, I wasn't so addicted, after all.
I still check my FB page but I don't hang out there anymore.It is a good thing that you've come to yuor senses. You deserve an applause.:)
There was a time in my life when I got so bored and did not know what else to do. So, I opened a facebook account and add everyone I came across with who seem interesting enough for me. I founds it a good thing because I was gaining a lot of friends and I was no longer feeling alone. I played only Yoville but it had me hooked further to the site.
I checked everything, just like you do. New messages,notifications,, friend's request and even updates from my so called friends. I did enjoy the feeling of having to interact with someone.
However, my addiction was just temporary. I got bored reading updates from the same people and even new messages seem not so interesting enough for me to read. I even ignored some people's friend's request and yoville invites. I guess, I wasn't so addicted, after all.
I still check my FB page but I don't hang out there anymore.It is a good thing that you've come to yuor senses. You deserve an applause.:)
@Janey1966 (24170)
• Carlisle, England
14 Jan 11
I have actually cancelled my account with Facebook. Can't remember how I did it (after advice given from a fellow "Lotter" funnily enough) but I am so glad I did. It's probably been about a year now that I've been away from Facebook and for someone "on the outside" now, I realise how many people are hooked on it, like you describe. I had a "thing" about Bejeweled Blitz but soon realised that my SIL was cheating in order to win all the time. So, that was the first thing that put me off Facebook. The second were the banal "conversations" and the stupid photos people were sharing..the more stupid the better. I think Facebook has taken over texting as a way of communication. I used to love texting. In fact I don't have a mobile phone either and again, I don't miss it.
It is true, Facebook stops people from having a social life and I do think that communicating should be done face to face (especially boyfriend/girlfriend scenarios) because that is the only way you can truly appreciate what you have. Typed words mean nothing (only on MyLot lol) but it seems they are taking over from "proper" conversation.
I'm glad that you have "seen the light" so to speak.
You should write a song about it, you already have the material.
It is true, Facebook stops people from having a social life and I do think that communicating should be done face to face (especially boyfriend/girlfriend scenarios) because that is the only way you can truly appreciate what you have. Typed words mean nothing (only on MyLot lol) but it seems they are taking over from "proper" conversation.
I'm glad that you have "seen the light" so to speak.
You should write a song about it, you already have the material.
@marapplestiffy (2182)
• Philippines
14 Jan 11
At first i was so active in facebook but later on, i felt bored checking what's going on. I usually open my facebook account when i don't have anything else to do.
@murtaza45 (173)
• India
14 Jan 11
facebook friends much time pass to add friends circle network.to share the information letter type me to friends.i am join to more friend my network becuase facebook social network site me.this facebook site must enjoy more friends to circle i am more to more friends in the circle me.day i am first to facebook opportunities to friends me.
@jimmythangjam (96)
• India
15 Jan 11
true statements u gave there. I was also and addict once and now i also realise how stupid i was to waste so many hours of useless chat and pokes and comments and blaaaaah what not!! Fb didnt let me sleep on time,made me miss so many classes because i woke up late, class-assignments due.
im happy i got over it now. i dont even reply any comments nor i even open my chat page these days. check notifications and thats it !! :D
@TwiKnight (107)
• Malaysia
14 Jan 11
Only find myself checking on my Facebook mates for a few minutes every day, tending to a few game requests in Mafia Wars, that's it, I think. Was quite averse to the idea of joining Facebook in the first place, as people keep asking me to do so. So no, I wouldn't say I'm as addicted to Facebook to such a degree as you've described, though there are a few things on the internet you could say I'm addicted to, like stumbleupon, where you are given the opportunity to stumble your way through a vast multitude of websites in accordance to your interests. I'm only suggesting... :)
