Compulsive Social Media Use and Disconnection Anxiety: Predictors and Markers of Compulsive and Addictive Social Media Consumption

Social media use (henceforth labeled SMU) has become ubiquitous in modern society, and while it has many benefits, it also has a dark side. Despite its growing concern, this problem is scarcely reported in marketing journals. This chapter examines the negative consequences of SMU, focusing on two consumer outcomes, that is, digital addiction and individual well-being. Drawing on two empirical studies, we investigate in the first study indirect antecedents (habit and FOMO) and direct antecedents (excessive use and always logged in) to the main manifestation of digital addiction—compulsive SMU. In the second study, we examine the factors motivating individuals to log off social media and the impact on individual well-being. The results of these studies may have important implications for marketers and leaders who are interested in creating solutions for the dark side of social media use and its impact on digital addiction and consumer well-being.