Why are People Addicted to SNS? Understanding the Role of SNS Characteristics in the Formation of SNS Addiction

Posted: 22 Mar 2018

See all articles by Haifeng Xu

Haifeng Xu

Shanghai Jiao Tong University (SJTU) - Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Antai College of Economics and Management

Tuan Q. Phan

National University of Singapore (NUS)

Bernard Tan

National University of Singapore (NUS) - Department of Information Systems

Date Written: March 21, 2018

Abstract

Research has shown that a large number of people have used social networking sites (SNS) excessively, and this may lead to various negative consequences. To alleviate SNS addiction, this study investigates the role of SNS characteristics in facilitating the transition from SNS use habit to SNS addiction. By applying the incentive sensitization theory in the context of SNS addiction, we suggest that compulsive motivation for using SNS is triggered by reward cues in SNS usage. We find that social network characteristics and communication characteristics, which determine the rewards that users obtain from SNS use, moderate the transition from SNS use habit to SNS addiction. Novel behavioral measures of SNS use habit and SNS addiction, based on SNS activity logs, were developed. The research model was empirically tested using a large and unique dataset. Besides contributing to theoretical development on SNS addiction, the results of this study offer practical options to alleviate SNS addiction. Moreover, the measures of SNS addiction make possible automated monitoring of user behavior on SNS to detect potential SNS addicts.

Keywords: SNS Addiction, SNS Use Habit, SNS Characteristics, Social Network Characteristics, Communication Characteristics

Suggested Citation

Xu, Haifeng and Phan, Tuan Q. and Tan, Bernard, Why are People Addicted to SNS? Understanding the Role of SNS Characteristics in the Formation of SNS Addiction (March 21, 2018). Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=3145008

Haifeng Xu (Contact Author)

Shanghai Jiao Tong University (SJTU) - Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Antai College of Economics and Management ( email )

1954 Huashan Road
Shanghai, Shanghai 200030
China

Tuan Q. Phan

National University of Singapore (NUS) ( email )

1E Kent Ridge Road
NUHS Tower Block Level 7
119228

HOME PAGE: http://www.tuanqphan.us

Bernard Tan

National University of Singapore (NUS) - Department of Information Systems ( email )

13 Computing Drive
117417
Singapore

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