Does using Facebook make us bolder, perhaps ruder, than we are in person?
Absolutely, says Keith Wilcox, an assistant professor of marketing at Columbia University’s Business School, and co-author of a study about Facebook behavior.
The soon-to-be-published study by professors at Columbia University and the University of Pittsburgh, found browsing Facebook not only lowers people’s self control, it also boosts self-confidence — all of those ‘Likes’ can go to a person’s head, apparently.
“Think of it as a licensing effect: You feel good about yourself so you feel a sense of entitlement,” Wilcox told the Wall Street Journal. “And you want to protect that enhanced view, which might be why people are lashing out so strongly at others who don’t share their opinions.”
These types of behaviors—lack of self control and an inflated sense of self—”are often displayed by people impaired by alcohol,” he added.
The study also found people are more apt to take offense, insult others and pick fights online.
Unfortunately, feelings of anonymity, whether provided by Facebook or any other social media site, have made it easier for people to behave badly.
But bad behavior, isn’t the only consequence of being a social media junky. Binge eating and spending can also be added to the list.
Those who spend more time online are more likely to binge eat, be overweight, and have large amounts of credit card debt, the study found. In fact, the study found people who spent five minutes on Facebook would be more apt to choose a chocolate chip cookie over a granola bar for a snack.
The study does not paint a pretty picture of Facebook users: rude, unfeeling and often drunken ranters with a high body mass index and a truck-load of credit card debt.
Facebook officials have yet to comment on the findings.