Is our social media use turning us into psychopaths bent on dishonesty and poor behavior – among other problems? A new study by the team at WhoIsHostingThis suggests that social media might be bad for our overall attitude towards social behavior.
According to the company’s research social media users lie more than non-social media users and have more vanity. 2,000 women were surveyed in one study used for the company’s findings and 30% of those women admitted to lying about doing something interesting when in reality they were at home alone. The study also found that 25% of Facebook users admitted to falsifying some of their social account data.
The study also found that 42% of teens now admit to being cyber bullied via social networks. Another study found that 28% of kids between the ages of 11 to 16 admit to having been bullied online or via mobile phone.
In terms of relationships the study found that 25% of people have had relationship issues because of “confrontational online behavior.”
The study also found a high level of pathological egocentricity as 37% of users constantly change their LinkedIn profiles and 46% admit to regularly Googling their own names. Many users have even admitted to checking social networks when eating dinner with other people at the table.
So are we all turning into psychopaths because of social media use? Probably not, but we do seem to be lying more and hurting our own relationships.
Here is the full infographic:
I actually think this is true – many people feel the need to hide behind a computer screen and on the Internet, you can be/do anything you want and who is to know? I could say I am out at the park with my son, but unless somebody goes to check on me, who will know? It is sad that we must use the Internet to lower the intelligence level of humanity, but we should have all seen it coming.
I agree to an extent with this post. I know a lot of people who do abuse social media for their own self-worth, but then there is also the other side of the coin where people use it to keep in contact with family members and or friends that are far away. I don't think everyone abuses social media or lies more… Though, many do.