by Leigh Goessl

Created on: June 03, 2011

Technology has a tendency to become addicting. Once the Internet moved beyond simply being a novelty, computer addiction has risen at a an alarming rate to the point the compulsion is more or less accepted as 'normal' in some instances. 

Whether its video games, texting or even socializing on a social network such as Facebook, the effects of technology addiction can be detrimental. Nowadays Facebook has grown significant enough to factor into the

computer addiction equation. Every day millions of people log onto Facebook, catch up with family and friends, reacquaint themselves with former classmates and colleagues, and make new connections with people sharing like interests.

As a result a growing number of Facebook members are becoming addicted to the website and the many activities such as games, quizzes, applications and other time-consuming options that the social network giant has to offer. People can easily spend hours entertaining themselves without even ever leaving Facebook.com; it's a virtual one-stop shop for entertainment and information.

Generally, as in other addictions that can occur, the Facebook addict is the last person to realize they have an dependence problem when it comes to social networking.

Warning signs of a Facebook addiction may include:

• Constantly checking a Facebook page

Often there is a fine line between habit and addiction. Logging in frequently and/or checking one's account throughout the day does not necessarily signal an addiction, but it might. If an addiction is present, typically other life activities and responsibilities are ignored in favor of Facebook.

• In constant search of an Internet connection

Those who have a compulsion to be constantly connected to Facebook could be a warning sign an addiction has occurred or is in the works. To determine if a Facebook impulse is gravitating towards addiction, some good question to ask is if one is constantly looking to connect online no matter where a person is or what they are doing and if messages are forwarded to a cell phone and constantly worried about responding immediately, even dropping other activities to reply. A Facebook addict may tend to spend an inordinate time trying to get online and access the network.

• Know more about Facebook friends than family or close friends offline

An individual that has reached the point of becoming isolated from family and friends may be an indicator of addiction. In this instance a good question to ask is whether

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