Poor decision-making is a hallmark of drug addiction and problem gambling. New research reveals a striking parallel: excessive social media use correlates with risky decision-making patterns akin to those seen during substance withdrawal. This study is the first to directly explore this connection.
Researchers surveyed 71 participants to gauge psychological dependence on Facebook, akin to addiction metrics. Questions covered primary platform activities, emotions during downtime, quit attempts, and disruptions to work or studies.
Participants then tackled the Iowa Gambling Task, a gold-standard psychological assessment of decision-making. Success hinges on discerning patterns across card decks to select the most favorable options over repeated trials.
Findings were clear: poorer task performance—favoring disadvantageous decks—aligned with heavier social media use. Better performers showed lower usage levels. These results echo patterns in substance abusers, including those with opioid, cocaine, and methamphetamine dependencies, who display identical decision-making impairments.
