Caitlin Mullen is reporting for Bizwomen Business Journals new research shows that excessive social media use has negative consequences that include the kind of risky decision-making generally associated with drug use and gambling. Researchers at Michigan State University had 71 study participants take a survey gauging their Facebook dependence that included questions about a users’ feelings when unable to access the website, the influence Facebook has had on their job or education, and attempts to quit. Participants were also asked to take the Iowa Gambling Task, a common exercise used by psychologists to measure decision-making. Users of social media exhibited the worst choices in the task. Similar outcomes were reported for those who abuse opioids and other drugs. “I believe that social media has tremendous benefits for individuals, but there’s also a dark side when people can’t pull themselves away,” Dar Meshi, the study’s lead author and Michigan State professor, said. “We need to better understand this drive so we can determine if excessive social media use should be considered an addiction.” Read the full story at bizjournals [dot] com.