SMAD Ring A Bell? Let's Hope Not!

In an article from PR News, social media was the overwhelming answer to the informal poll question “What keeps PR pros up at night?” Like others, I too, would have had the same response. This got me thinking. Yes, social media is fun and essential in our line of PR work, but does it carry any negative effects? The answer is yes: Social Media Anxiety Disorder. 

According to The Huffington Post, Social Media Anxiety Disorder, also known as SMAD, is one serious problem and medical disorder. 

• The University of Chicago has found that social media can be more addictive than cigarettes and alcohol.
• Social media addiction relates to cigarette smoking due to the similar sensation of needing to have something, or needing to have to go and do something.
• A doctor in London explains that he treats over 100 social media addicts ranging from ages 10-35. He explains he treats people that: 
• Miss or avoid doing necessary things in life
• Such as sleeping, eating, drinking, schoolwork, and work.  
• How much is too much? Psychiatrists explain that it is a problem if a person looks at Facebook or Twitter more than 10 times a day, amounting to 5 hours a day.

So the question is, how can us young PR professionals prevent social media from affecting our beauty sleep and health? 

The answer, simply, is put your phone down! Let’s face it, the tweets, messages, requests, etc. will still be there when you wake up. If they aren’t, they must not have been that important anyway, right? So relax, put it down, and get some much-needed shut eye!

For more information about the article check out the video at the bottom of the page- http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/03/01/smad-twitter-chat-social-media-anxiety-disorder_n_2791108.html? 

How do you feel about social media? Do you feel you may be suffering from SMAD?  We’d love to hear some feedback on this topic! 

This guest blog post was written by PRowl Staff Member Amanda White.