Eating or spending too much? Blame it on Facebook, Twitter

Eating or spending too much? Blame it on Facebook, Twitter

Washington: Using online social networks like Facebook and Twitter can lower your self-control, leading to overeating and overspending, a new study claims.
    Researchers said participating in on-line social networks can have a detrimental effect on consumer well-being by lowering self-control.
    “Using on-line social networks can have a positive effect on selfesteem and well-being. However, these increased feelings of selfworth can have a detrimental effect on behaviour,” said researchers Keith Wilcox from Columbia University and Andrew T Stephen from University of Pittsburgh.
    “Because consumers care about the image they present to close friends, social network use enhances self-esteem in those who are focused on close friends while o their social network. This momentary increase in self-esteem leads them to display less self-control after browsing a social network,” researchers said.
    A series of interesting studies showed that users of Facebook who focused on close friends are more likely to choose an unhealthy snack after browsing Facebook due to enhanced self-esteem, researchers said. They added that greater Facebook use was also associated with a higher body-mass index, increased binge eating, a lower credit score, and higher levels of credit card debt for consumers with many close friends in their social network. PTI