Are you a sufferer of Facebook anxiety?

Facebook: a new form of anxiety

A RECENT study by Edinburgh Napier University shows that a significant number of Facebook users from the UK, including Kent, are finding the site to cause stress. 

Research conducted by psychologists found that while the majority of those surveyed said Facebook is great for keeping in touch and general networking, for others, they are starting to feel the pressures.

Sally Collins, a 42 year-old mother from Kemsley, started using Facebook to get in contact with old friends, but now, she said: "I am constantly having to know what people are writing and whether they are spying on my details. It is driving me insane, I may have to get rid of it all together. There is just no fun it it at the moment".

The survey said 12% of respondents felt anxious, with 32% who turnt down friend requests feeling guilt and even 10% claiming they disliked receiving friend request all together.

Dr Kathy Charles, who led the study, claimed: "We found the people who have the most contacts, who have invested the most time in the site, were the ones most likely to be stressed."

Watch a presentation on the subject by students at the University of Georgia: