Imprints: Is FACEBOOK taking your Sabbath time away?

FAD
Have you heard of this? I only read about this in the STAR PAPER last Friday. STAR had a few article regarding this issue.

Am I an addict? That was my first thought when I read the article.

So, I decided to research a little on what the world would regard a Facebook addict.

FAD or known as Facebook Addiction Disorder is a condition that is defined by HOURS spent on Facebook. They spent so much time that affect the individual's lifestyle - an American psychologist -

APPROXIMATELY 350 million people SUFFER from this disorder. This can be detected by simple six criteria. The victims usually possessed 2-3 following criteria in a period of 6-8 month.

Tolerance: This term is used to describe the desperate behavior of a Facebook addict. They spend an increasing amount of time on the site, coming to a stage where they need it in order to obtain satisfaction or on the other extreme, it is having a detrimental affect on them as a person and their life. For the family members and friends who think they are dealing with an addict, a sign to look out for are multiple Facebook windows open. Three or more confirms that they are indeed suffering from this condition.

2. Withdrawal symptoms: These become obvious when one is restricted from using Facebook because they have to participate in normal everyday activities. Common signs are anxiety, distress and the need to talk about Facebook and what might have been posted on their wall in their absence.

3. Reduction of normal social/recreational activities: Someone suffering from FAD will reduce the time spent catching up with friends, playing sport or whatever it is they used to enjoy doing, to simply spend time on Facebook. Instead of catching up with a friend for coffee, they will send a Facebook message. A dinner date will be substituted with a messenger chat. In extreme cases, the person will even stop answering their parent’s phone calls, instead insisting that they use Facebook to contact them.

4.Virtual dates: It is obvious that things are extreme when real dates are replaced with virtual dates. Instead of going to the movies or out to dinner, they tell their partner to be online at a certain time.

5.Fake friends: If 8 out of 10 people shown on their Facebook page are complete strangers, it is undeniable: they have a serious case of FAD.

6.Complete addiction: When they meet new people, they say their name, followed by “I’ll talk to you on Facebook”, or for those who are extremely bad, “I’ll see you in Facebook”. Their pets have Facebook pages, and any notifications, wall posts, inboxes or friend requests that they receive give them a high, one which can be compared to that gambling addicts get from the pokies or roulette table.

Many ones are spending TOO MUCH time online. Don't get me wrong. Facebook do have its benefits. But, too much of Facebook may lead to a detrimental effects to the person's life.

So, CHECK yourself!

The key is to be BALANCE!

P/s: Facebook won't loose out the minute you don't showed up online.

Take off time from Facebook and spend your time wisely with God, family and friends.

STOP and change your pattern in your daily activities!

During the week, I learned to set boundaries for myself to just take time off, stop and reflect on what had been happening throughout the day. Though there are many things to be done, I learned to STOP and thanked God for what He had blessed me throughout the day and prayed that He will continue to give me strength to go on for the rest of the day. A good 30 minutes of STOP and pondering of what had happened throughout the day will give our body rest and feeling refreshed entirely! - this is the Sabbath attitude we ought to achieve.

My Sabbath day is on a Sunday, I set it aside to worship Him in church in the morning and in the evening to spend it with my family: catching up with them of what had happened throughout the week. Also, I try not to log on to the Internet. Just rest and relax!!

God had made this special day for you. Don't waste it by doing things that keep you busy or looking at your Facebook page the whole day browsing onto someone else profiles. There is more to life than just sitting in front of your laptop/computer screen. Do a different thing and keep to it throughout the year.

My advice is to TRY. You won't regret it! :)