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You May Be Addicted to Social Media If…

Posted December 10, 2009 in Humor, Lifestyle, Social Media

addicted-to-social-media-iconsDo you use Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, or some other form of social media? Do you use it a little too much?

There’s no question that social media is an important part of today’s Internet environment. If you freelance (or are thinking about freelancing), chances are that you’re already involved in social media somehow.

But social media has a dark side too — it’s very easy to spend too much time twitter, write too many comments on Facebook, or overuse social media in some other way. In this post, we’re going to help you decide if you’re using social media too much.

Here are 20 ways to tell if you are addicted to social media:

20 Ways to Tell If You Use Social Media Too Much

Here are a few funny ways to tell whether you might be addicted to social media. You may be addicted to social media if:

  1. You are going to spend the Christmas holiday with @grandma and @grandpa.
  2. You log in to Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn (or another form of social media) before you eat breakfast or get dressed each morning.
  3. When a friend says something clever, you respond by saying “I’ll retweet that.”
  4. You plan your activities according to how tweetable they are.
  5. No Internet connection is a serious problem since you might miss someone’s status update.
  6. Whenever you finish watching a good movie or television show you feel the urge to give it a thumbs up (just like you would on StumbleUpon or Digg).
  7. You speak in bursts of 140 characters, or less.
  8. Instead of actually laughing when your friend says something funny, you say “ROFL.”
  9. You refer to door-to-door sales people as “spammers.”
  10. When you meet someone new who is interesting, you ask if you can “connect to their network.”
  11. You put your Ninja name (from Facebook quizzes) on your business card instead of your actual name.
  12. You have been wondering how you can “block” some of life’s everyday problems like heavy traffic, high prices, and yard work.
  13. When you have a problem, the first people you turn to for advice are the ones on Facebook or Twitter.
  14. You ask the pizza delivery person if they will deliver directly to your computer desk.
  15. You’re not getting enough sleep, but it’s not because you’re working too hard. It’s because you’re staying up late to keep your status up to date and to download pictures.
  16. You don’t take a vacation because you don’t want to miss a tweet.
  17. You trust the advice of your followers more than you trust the advice of your spouse or partner.
  18. You become anxious if someone you know refuses to friend you on Facebook or follow you on Twitter.
  19. You can’t remember the last time you spent an entire day without social media.
  20. You dream about social media comments and posts at night.

Your Turn to Share

We’ve shared some funny signs that you might be close to social media addiction, now it is your turn. Can you think of any funny indicators that might mean that you are using social media too much?

Also, if you’ve found that you really do have a problem managing social media, how have you dealt with it? Did you need to find outside help? What recommendations do you have for other social-media addicts?

Share your thoughts in the comments.

top icons by webtreats

Related posts:

  1. Are You Missing the Job Opportunities on Social Media?
  2. 5 Simple Steps To Rock Social Media
  3. How to Monitor Your Brand on Social Media
  4. How Freelance Businesses Can Measure Social Media Results
  5. Social Media Basics For Freelancers

About the author: Laura Spencer is a freelance writer from North Central Texas with over 20 years of professional business writing experience. If you liked this post, then you may also enjoy Laura’s blog about her freelance writing experiences, WritingThoughts. Laura is also on Google+.



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57 Comments
  • User Gravatar
    Shankar Siva
    December 10th, 2009 at 11:59 am

    Great info.
    I’m glad that I’m not addicted to it.

  • User Gravatar
    Dana
    December 10th, 2009 at 12:02 pm

    So true and so funny!

  • User Gravatar
    Adrian
    December 10th, 2009 at 12:08 pm

    21. You retweeted this post before you even read it, just because it has a list in it! :))

  • User Gravatar
    Laura Spencer
    December 10th, 2009 at 12:15 pm

    Thanks for the comments.

    Great #21 Adrian! Of course, i wrote the post. I already knew what it said. ;-)

  • User Gravatar
    Mason Hipp
    December 10th, 2009 at 12:22 pm

    #22 — You’re giving driving directions and you say “scroll up” instead of “go straight”

    (true story, I did it just this morning)

    Oh, and I also occasionally say “I deleted that” instead of “I threw it out”

  • User Gravatar
    Laura Spencer
    December 10th, 2009 at 12:24 pm

    Thanks Mason.

    You really say “scroll up” instead of “go straight?”

    How funny! Good example.

  • User Gravatar
    Mason Hipp
    December 10th, 2009 at 12:34 pm

    It was only once :-)

    I don’t expect I’ll say it again, really, and I was laughing at myself even as it was coming out of my mouth this morning.

  • User Gravatar
    Jesaka Long
    December 10th, 2009 at 12:35 pm

    Love the quiz! And what a delight to see I’m not as addicted as I thought. Although, I did plan my entire Thanksgiving meal with friends and family through Facebook. But I didn’t send directions to “scroll up” vs. “going straight.” Love that!

  • User Gravatar
    Laura Spencer
    December 10th, 2009 at 12:37 pm

    Hi Jesaka!

    There’s no doubt that social media has changed our lives… I’m glad you were able to get together with family and friends for the holiday. I hope that you had a nice Thanksgiving.

  • User Gravatar
    skyM
    December 10th, 2009 at 12:51 pm

    ROFL the first one just had me rolling! I also catch myself telling family members to either tweet me or email me something…lol I just don’t have time to physically talk!

  • User Gravatar
    Laura Spencer
    December 10th, 2009 at 12:55 pm

    skyM,

    Thanks.

    LOL, the trouble is that so many friends and family members are behind the times. They just aren’t connected so they can’t tweet me.

  • User Gravatar
    Robert Pickstone
    December 10th, 2009 at 2:29 pm

    Hi Laura,

    Your post is along the same lines as mine from a couple of weeks ago – “Are you an intelligent social media addict?”. Check out my website to see it – http://www.robertpickstone.com

    I love your list! I am not sure if I am going to admit to any of these though!

    Rob

  • User Gravatar
    Nick Parsons
    December 10th, 2009 at 3:15 pm

    Wow Laura, that is truly hilarious. I’m actually probably the other direction (I don’t take advantage of social media enough), but have found myself doing things like feeling an urge to hit the undo button when I mess up a sketch/painting!

    Thanks for the entertainment!

  • User Gravatar
    Ritu
    December 10th, 2009 at 3:53 pm

    21. You everything mentioned on this list and still deny you don’t have a problem.

    @Mason : That is hilarious. “Scroll up” to go forward. Next time we will catch you saying “right sidebar” when you have to say stay in the right lane ;-) Fun stuff

  • User Gravatar
    Davor Gasparevic
    December 10th, 2009 at 4:17 pm

    I actually can’t find myself in any of those examples, but I DO spend half an hour to hour a day on Facebook application called Mafia Wars. It has a large community so my first intention was to familiarize myself with the game interface and to develop some kind of strategy and come up with my own tips and ideas, so that in the near future I can make a blog about it, but it turned out that I became really addicted to it.

    Luckily I login only twice or thrice a day, so I still don’t spend too much time on it, but it would be best if I would spend that time on something more valuable and important.

  • User Gravatar
    Matt Richardson
    December 10th, 2009 at 4:47 pm

    I love this and I admit that I am addicted, I have all the Social Networking apps on my iPhone and I have them open automatically when I open up Safari.

    I am currently looking at a design for a future communication device, however, looking at communications as a general term. Five years ago we never heard of Facebook, now it is a daily “task” for us to check things out on it. What are people’s suggestions of what the “next big thing” will be? Will it be internet based, will it be through a program or will everyone have an app where it will let us know if we have compatible people sitting next to us on the bus or tube?

    I would welcome your thought’s and musings on this.

    Many thanks,

    Matt Richardson

  • User Gravatar
    Laura Spencer
    December 10th, 2009 at 5:00 pm

    Thanks for the comments everyone.

    That’s the fun part about this community, we know how to laugh.

    Wow, Matt! What a great question. What will be the next big thing? (I’d like to know too.)

    What do you all think?

  • User Gravatar
    Lexi Rodrigo
    December 10th, 2009 at 5:16 pm

    Well, when my kids do something notable, they say, “Mom, don’t Tweet/post/twitpic that!”

    What do you think?

    Lexi

  • User Gravatar
    WritingItRightForYou
    December 10th, 2009 at 6:11 pm

    So very funny and true! And, yes, our family DID plan our entire 35-person annual Thanksgiving family reunion online! And yes, we DID have to “explain” everything separately to @grandma who just doesn’t get it! LOL! I don’t think a single phone call was made! All @Kroger and @Starbucks runs were texted; as were “where r u” questions! We had a ball; especially since the 20-somethings think their parents are cool because of it all. (Well, NOW they think we’re cool!)

    Laura, I just *heart* your posts!

  • User Gravatar
    Luke Jones
    December 10th, 2009 at 6:44 pm

    I’m afraid to say it but: 2, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 15, 17, 19 and 20 all apply to me :-(.

    When I hear “follow” all I can think of is Twitter now.

  • User Gravatar
    Laura Spencer
    December 10th, 2009 at 6:59 pm

    Thanks to everyone who commented and shared their thoughts.

    I hope that you all had fun with this post. :-)

  • User Gravatar
    Amber Weinberg
    December 10th, 2009 at 8:13 pm

    Lol I have a problem using “delete” instead of “erase”. Asked my coworker to “delete the whiteboard” once and he busted out laughing. ;)

  • User Gravatar
    Phillip Gibb
    December 11th, 2009 at 4:36 am

    @FreelanceFolder don’t be silly, I am not addicted to #socialmedia, let alone @twitter, just ask anyone on #LI #FB, hand on a sec. #facepalm

  • User Gravatar
    Mike B
    December 11th, 2009 at 5:05 am

    You write your address as a hyperlink on forms and applications.

  • User Gravatar
    Heather Villa
    December 11th, 2009 at 6:20 am

    Too funny! I am sooo not going to tell how many of those apply to me. :D

  • User Gravatar
    MARY E ULRICH
    December 11th, 2009 at 10:28 am

    WHAT FUN! I HAVE TO TWEET THIS, POST IT ON FACEBOOK….

  • User Gravatar
    LautaroAlberto
    December 11th, 2009 at 12:19 pm

    Hehehe… great content.. and yes i can think of a few more funny statements such as:

    (around the last ones)

    #. u might feel that u’re not sure about if u are a little too much into social media but, for one u spent the last 15 mins. checking your answers in this little test dont u think :).

    #. do u always wear clothes while in the computer?.. or u just passed by to say hello and update your status?

    hihihihihihihihihihi… seems funny enough for me :P

  • User Gravatar
    Valen
    December 12th, 2009 at 4:49 am

    Hilarious!

    One night, I dreamed about checking into foursquare once I had arrived at my destination. IN MY DREAM! haha.

  • User Gravatar
    Exclusive Media News
    December 12th, 2009 at 2:45 pm

    Totally depending on the person but if you have a business then social and viral marketing would be a way of life to gain mass exposure.

  • User Gravatar
    evabyGype
    December 13th, 2009 at 7:02 pm

    Hello,

    Am brand new to this forum and just had the urge to introduce myself and say “hi”.

    Finally a lovely website with active users that I can read – that is a refreshing change!

    I’m here to hang out and get involved in the community. How could I best participate?

    Laters Ya’ll.

  • User Gravatar
    Pushkar
    December 14th, 2009 at 2:32 am

    Excellent read…..sadly i m kinda addicted….

  • User Gravatar
    Time Management
    December 14th, 2009 at 2:42 pm

    Very funny. I do find that after exchanging my number and email, I feel led to offer my Facebook name as well. Its a strange new world that we live in. Some of us even feel guilty if we have not caught on or caught up with the next new social networking rage- Tweet? I had better get it together!

  • User Gravatar
    StacySmith
    December 14th, 2009 at 3:16 pm

    Hallo zusammen, das ist mein erster Post hier. Bin echt froh, dass ich das Forum gefunden habe. Ich heiße Manuel, bin 26 und komme aus Berlin. Bin natürlich für Erfahrungsaustausch zu haben!

  • User Gravatar
    Sal B / @mayhemchaos
    December 16th, 2009 at 1:02 pm

    Guilty. That’s all.

  • User Gravatar
    evabyGype
    December 18th, 2009 at 10:53 am

    Howdy!

    I am fairly new to this forum + just had the urge to introduce myself and say “wuzup”.

    This looks like a good website with topics that I can read – and that is good to look at!

    I’m here to hang out + participate. How would I best get involved?

    Bye For Now!!!

    ~[B]evabyGype[/B]~
    [url=http://backlinksautomation.com]google traffic[/url]

  • User Gravatar
    Austin
    December 24th, 2009 at 2:11 pm

    #2 is the only one that I do. And I usually check my email before Facebook, and I don’t check Twitter at all.

  • User Gravatar
    Edie Galley
    December 30th, 2009 at 2:07 pm

    How many of these do you have to answer yes before you know you are addicted?

    When trying to figure out if you know someone you ask “What does your avatar look like?”

  • User Gravatar
    Tara Thralls
    January 7th, 2010 at 6:05 pm

    OH, yes, mea culpa! I’m Guilty, Guilty, guilty – even of #21 Retweeting it before reading it, just because it had a LIST!!! (ADRIAN- you cracked me up with that one) Oh, my…I see myself, perhaps a bit too much…

  • User Gravatar
    Matt V
    February 17th, 2010 at 5:17 pm

    Haha this is a great list. Just made my own if you’re interested http://kdf-comp.blogspot.com/2010/02/10-signs-youre-social-media-addict.html

  • User Gravatar
    Designer Swimwear Lover
    February 18th, 2010 at 12:09 pm

    Thanks for the article and coments. I see it all around, and think social media addiction is in it’s infancy. Its been an amazing tool and will forever change how we interact with family, friends and business. My concern is that people are becoming computer and Tech. savy, and have very little social and inter persoanl communications skills. The inability t comunicate face to face. I see it all the tme in our younger generation. Will be interesting to see it develope over the next ten years.

  • User Gravatar
    Pushkar
    February 18th, 2010 at 12:17 pm

    Inspired from your’s….I wrote a small blog post on this addiction….called Cyber Zombies

    http://pushkarbendre.typepad.com/blog/2010/02/cyber-zombies.html

  • User Gravatar
    Online Outsourcing
    March 6th, 2010 at 7:29 am

    It gives the awaking alarm for the addicts of the social media..the definite…answer yes for the above questions..will be taken into account to modify themselves….I like the warning post..to manage everything within a limit….keep sharing.

  • User Gravatar
    Jay
    March 19th, 2010 at 1:48 pm

    Very funny, although i do you twitter alot i dont think there can be too much tweeting that is unless your posting more then once and hour lol.

  • User Gravatar
    TheAL
    July 4th, 2010 at 6:46 pm

    Hahahahaha! The sad part? I know people who really do these things.

  • User Gravatar
    Robert
    January 15th, 2011 at 8:40 pm

    I have friends that would fail at least 10 of these. I will send them the link to this post and hopefully it will wake them up.

  • User Gravatar
    hyip
    January 26th, 2012 at 7:18 am

    You May Be Addicted to Social Media If… | FreelanceFolder I was recommended this website by my cousin. I am not sure whether this post is written by him as no one else know such detailed about my trouble. You are wonderful! Thanks! your article about You May Be Addicted to Social Media If… | FreelanceFolderBest Regards Nick

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