Is Facebook more addictive than tobacco and alcohol?

If any kid of today is asked if they are on Facebook today and they say “no”, that is one special person! The rise of Facebook addiction is alarming. Do you feel like an addict yourself?

Tuesday, March 27, 2012
Dating among teens has its ups and downs. Net photo.

If any kid of today is asked if they are on Facebook today and they say "no”, that is one special person! The rise of Facebook addiction is alarming. Do you feel like an addict yourself?Take it seriously, because it is not just a product of your imagination. Look back at your life before you joined Facebook and you will realize that the first thing you do now when you wake up is check your phone to see who posted on your Wall!  Do not live in denial. You are an addict.Thanks to giant telecommunication companies like MTN and Tigo, Facebook is free for every one with a smart phone and I must agree that it is a great marketing strategy. Alex Kambanda, a senior six leaver said, "With cigarettes and alcohol there are monetary and health costs. It’s much easier to become addicted to Facebook as compared to tobacco.”  Both alcohol or tobacco addicts and non-addicts alike are hooked to Facebook. It’s a huge waste of time, but still young people indulge in it.Alicia Atete, a student at Greenhill Academy says, "It’s much easier to log onto Facebook in a public place, for example while traveling in a taxi, rather than smoke or drink.”The time factor could also give an upper hand to Facebook since it has no time. The majority of idle teenagers log-on to Facebook as soon as they wake up but they can’t smoke and drink in a similar fashion. Today, if a parent sends a child to their room it is pretty much an advantage because he or she can switch to Facebook and chat all night long with friends. Therefore, it is more challenging for people to free themselves from Facebook’s tight grip than it is for them to avoid cigarettes and alcohol.