You will probably be asking yourself the question, what is Editiovultus phobia? When you find out it is literally a fear of Facebook you will probably be surprised. Then again, when you bear in mind that many phobias are based upon our everyday lives, is there anything more interactive with your everyday life than Facebook? So, Editiovultus phobia and a phobia of Facebook, how might it materialise and what impact can it have on your life?
Facebook is everywhere!
It is no surprise to learn there is a phobia of Facebook, called Editiovultus phobia, because quite literally it is an integral part of many people’s lives. It is a service which people use to find the latest news, contact friends and family and share funny anecdotes and images. While often seen as a means of connecting to people, Facebook does also have many other elements such as the ability to request recommendations for specific services, highlight potential scams and other very important functions. So, if Facebook is so important why do so many people have an aversion in the shape of Editiovultus phobia?
Pressure to communicate with everybody
If you can count on both hands the number of “real” close friends you have in your life then you are doing well. Counteract this with the fact that many people have literally thousands upon thousands of “friends” on their Facebook accounts. It is not difficult to see why many people may develop an aversion to Facebook, Editiovultus phobia!
The pressure to keep in touch with all of your Facebook friends on a regular basis can literally take over your life. You can end up replying to dozens of birthday announcements, have private messages piled up waiting for a response and that’s before we even look at the many Facebook posts you will have been tagged in – then you post your own stuff. You will often see some Facebook fanatics taking “timeout” away from the social scene as a means of re-energising their batteries. Is this a sign of Editiovultus phobia or simply a need to relax away from the continuous pressure?
Constant criticism and judgement
The more you use Facebook the more you will notice that so-called “keyboard warriors” find it very easy to sit behind a keyboard and criticise people. These so-called Facebook friends, many of whom you have never seen or spoken to in real life, can often be extremely judgemental. This constant pressure to give out a particular image can for many people plant the seed of Editiovultus phobia. It is not difficult to see how very quickly you can build an aversion to Facebook and all of the constant criticism it can often bring.
Have you ever noticed that Facebook tends to revolve around a pack mentality? Once one person has led the criticism, the floodgates open and the rest will jump on board with their own specific comments. Whether people know or not, this pack mentality can leave individuals mentally scarred and no doubt in need of a break from their social platform life. Is it fair? Is it real-world?
Mental impact of Facebook
When you begin to look at things a little deeper, there is no doubt that Editiovultus phobia is real and rife. The more you react to the critics on Facebook the more they seem to revel in your embarrassment. Many people justify this constant abuse of others as “just online banter” when in reality it can be much more. It is not difficult to see how people can jump from the Editiovultus phobia to others such as:-
• Social phobias
• Eating conditions
• Anxiety
You ask those who suffered at the hands of the Facebook keyboard warriors and they will tell you that Facebook phobia is real and part of their everyday life!
Combating Editiovultus phobia
In the “olden days” no doubt the advice would have been to grow a thicker skin when it comes to online criticism. The fact that very often this online criticism, especially among schoolchildren, can spill over into everyday life is a real concern. Editiovultus phobia is beginning to become a recognised issue and the more that Facebook dictates the lives of individuals the more recognised it will become. So, how would you combat Editiovultus phobia?
• Maintain a tighter circle of friends
As much of the issues regarding Editiovultus phobia tend to revolve around criticism and the pressure to communicate with an endless stream of online friends, it may be sensible to maintain a tighter circle of friends. Not only will this reduce the number of private messages, posts and birthday celebrations to mention, it should also reduce the vicious and often unwarranted criticism on Facebook.
• Cut out the abusers
Those who you classed as “friends” on Facebook but seem obsessed with dishing out abuse should simply be erased from your friends list forever. They are of no benefit to you, have no empathy towards you and will very often criticise others to deflect their own shortfalls. In effect, they shouldn’t be part of your life!
• No need to communicate with everybody
A big part of the Editiovultus phobia, i.e. a phobia of Facebook, is the constant pressure to communicate with everybody on a regular basis. Well, for example more distant friends and distant family may be happy with a comment on their birthday, Christmas and other special occasions. Remember, they won’t automatically expect you to keep in touch with them each and every day. There will also be close friends who you meet on a regular basis so is there really any need to be as active online?
Conclusion
Some people may see Editiovultus phobia as just another convenient phobia of the modern world. However, when you bear in mind how big a part of life Facebook can be for many people, it is easy to see why some will develop a phobia of Facebook. The trick is to keep a relatively tight group of friends on Facebook and where some choose to be harsh, unfair and ridicule you in public simply cut them off – remove them from your friends list. There is also evidence to suggest that some people will literally replace everyday life with Facebook and as a consequence their social skills and communication skills suffer.
Facebook is not the be all and end all and perhaps Editiovultus phobia may be a godsend, at least on a temporary basis, for many people!
