"To our knowledge, this is the first research to show that using online social networks can affect self-control," said study co-author Andrew T. Stephen, assistant professor of business administration at the University of Pittsburgh School of Business and College of Business Administration.
"We have demonstrated that using today's most popular social network, Facebook, may have a detrimental affect on people's self-control," added Stephen, according to a Pittsburgh statement.
Stephen co-authored the research with Keith Wilcox, assistant professor of marketing at Columbia Business School.