Farmville Coins Fake, but is Social Media Causing Real-Life Debt?

Social media sites like Facebook can be extremely useful. In only a couple of clicks a girl can tell everyone she knows that she just got engaged; a single guy can plan a party with all his friends, but only have to talk about the details once; a new mother and father can post pictures of the proud addition to their family; and a professional can even network for a job.

While these social media sites are extremely beneficial, they are also a simple way to satisfy boredom through the many games offered with live connections to other participants. According to a Columbia Business School study, Facebook and its games are more than a time-filler. Instead, they seem to alter a person’s offline behavior and even contribute to credit card debt.

According to the researchers, those who use Facebook for even five minutes “showed higher levels of self-esteem and a reduction in observable self-control,” said Andrew Stephen, assistant professor of Business Administration and author of the study.

The conclusion of the research was that the social media users’ lack of self-control led them to more confident actions outside of online world. The reduced impulse-control not only led them to make purchases they may not have made before — and in higher numbers — but it also caused an increase in weight gain.

The study has made some surprising conclusions, but credit card debt is something that a lot of Florida residents are very familiar with. Getting debt under control in a manageable plan is something that requires a little help.

Source: CBS, “Facebook Use Linked To Increased Weight, Credit Card Debt New Study Finds,” Dec. 17, 2012

Our Tampa bankruptcy firm helps clients get their debt under control, whether it is the result of credit card bills, medical bills or any other source.