Now there's a handy scale to prove we're all addicted to Facebook

We don’t need some kind of fancy research to tell us we spend far too much time on Facebook, our incessant checking of the news feed and daily stalking of everyone we’ve EVER met proves that. But, if you did want to find out whether you’re an actual addict, then the Bergen Facebook Addiction Scale is here to ensure you lose the will to live in a matter of seconds.

Researchers at the University of Bergen have been spending a lot of time analysing how we use social media and unsurprisingly realised that far too many of us have developed a worrying dependency on Facebook.

According to Cecilie Schou Andreassen, Doctor of Psychology at the university, some of the problems she’s encountered are so serious that they’ll resemble that of an alcohol, drug or chemical abuse addiction. Ah just what we needed. And, if you’re an anxious young woman you’re most at risk too, she said:

“It occurs more regularly among younger than older users. We have also found that people who are anxious and socially insecure use Facebook more than those with lower scores on those traits, probably because those who are anxious find it easier to communicate via social media than face-to-face.

“Our research also indicates that women are more at risk of developing Facebook addiction, probably due to the social nature of Facebook.”

So if you’re wondering whether you’re a hardcore junkie or just naturally inquisitive (yeah right) there’s now a handy scale to show us all how sad we really are, OH GOODIE.

To use it, simply read through the statements and answer (1) Very rarely, (2) Rarely, (3) Sometimes, (4) Often, or (5) Very often.

You spend a lot of time thinking about Facebook or plan use of Facebook.
You feel an urge to use Facebook more and more.
You use Facebook in order to forget about personal problems.
You have tried to cut down on the use of Facebook without success.
You become restless or troubled if you are prohibited from using Facebook.
You use Facebook so much that it has had a negative impact on your job/studies.

Despite being fairly basic, the researchers believe that if you answer with 4s or 5s to four or more of the phrases then chances are you’ve got yourself a pretty hefty addiction right there.

The researchers haven’t suggested what we do to battle through our scary addiction right now, or whether it’s REALLY that damaging. But, we’re intrigued to see whether Facebook Junkies Anonymous meet-ups are scheduled in a village hall near us or (as Jezebel points out) whether someone could actually ever overdose on Facebook. Ouch, death by social media would be the most pathetic way to go, right?!

[Via Jezebel via UIB]