Facebook Is Hard To Quit, But Why?

Breaking up is hard to do--especially when it has something to do with social media.

Researchers at Cornell Information Science found four reasons why getting away from Facebook might be particularly difficult for some.

"These results show just how difficult daily decisions about social media use can be," said Eric Baumer, the study's first author annd Information Science and Communication Researcher at Cornell, in a news release. 

The study found that those who felt that Facebook is addictive were more likely than others to return. For those who use Facebook as a way to showcase their online presence, researchers found that these individuals were also more likely to log back in; same with those whose mood was enhanced by using acebook.

However, some felt Facebook activity hurt their privacy; these individuals were less likely to use Facebook regularly. Those with many other social media accounts were also more likely to skip out on Facebook use if they had other avenues to occupy their time.

"In addition to concerns over personal addiction, people are reluctant about corporations collecting, analyzing, and potentially monetizing their personal information. However, Facebook also serves numerous important social functions, in some cases providing the only means for certain groups to keep in touch. These results highlight the complexities involved in people's ongoing decisions about how to use, or not use, social media."

Furthermore, previous studies have suggested that the social media site, which was launched on February 4, 2004, may increase the risk of depressive symptoms in some individuals. A recent study published in the Journal of Social and Clinical Psychology found that users who spent more time on Facebook and compared their lives to the activities and accomplishments of friends, were more likely to deal with symptoms linked to both depression and anxiety.

For more information regarding the current findings, click here.

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