Online social media: A misunderstood human need

This paper proposes a non-addictive conceptualization of the human need to interact through
online social networks. The negative consequences of online social network use have led to
much research on social media addiction. However, these consequences are not severe enough
to consider problematic social media use as a disorder. Additionally, the lack of longitudinal
studies, clinical samples and standardized diagnostic measures require us to be cautious of
pathologizing novel technological behaviors such as social media use. We must understand
the problematic use of social networks in the context of the user’s psychological profile,
motivations, gratifications and socio-cultural context in order to understand how problematic
use occurs and how to combat it. Despite our argument that social media addiction has not
been proven to exist at this time, online social networks have been associated with various
problems, particularly in certain age groups and in people who suffer from other primary
disorders, especially when their use is mediated by the Fear of Missing Out (FOMO), a
search for validation and avoidance coping. It appears that the most effective help for those
experiencing problems from social media use may be psychoeducation and treating the primary
comorbid disorder of which problematic social media use is often a side effect.