The social networking site Facebook is to blame for ‘friendship addiction’ and fuelling insecurity in users, according to psychologists. Women are said to be particularly vulnerable because their self-worth stems from relationships with others and Facebook compels them to ‘acquire’ hundreds of friends. David Smallwood, an addictions expert with the Priory clinic, said that at least 10 per cent of the population were vulnerable to ‘friendship addiction’ and that the site was unsuitable for people recovering from drug, alcohol and shopping addictions, and could increase feelings of rejection through the friend ‘request’ function.
The Telegraph