Unravelling the Complexity of Addiction to Social Networking Sites: A Multidimensional Analysis

Abstract

Information behaviour and social network sites addiction (hereafter referred to as SNS addiction) are two concepts that have become increasingly relevant in the digital age. Information behaviour refers to how individuals seek, access, evaluate, and use information to meet their goals. These two concepts can be interconnected. Individuals who exhibit addictive tendencies may excessively and compulsively use social networks to obtain information or social approval, which can be reinforced by the constant availability of information and social connections. This study aimed to investigate the multidimensional nature of SNS addiction by examining socio-demographic characteristics, personal, spatiotemporal, environmental, and task contexts. A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 174 users to assess addiction levels and explore related factors. The Addiction Severity Index (ASI) was used to classify participants into four levels. Data analysis included cross-tabulations, frequency counts, and chi-square tests. The results revealed that 41% of participants were classified as SNS addicts, suggesting a significant prevalence of this behaviour. No significant differences were found in addiction levels based on gender and age groups. In terms of individual context, those classified as addicts demonstrated excessive involvement in activities such as media viewing, content rating, and private messaging. In conclusion, this thorough analysis emphasizes the intricate, multifaceted nature of the phenomenon and underscores the importance of considering contextual factors when designing effective interventions. Understanding the intricate dynamics of SNS addiction can inform the development of effective strategies for healthier patterns of usage of information.