The Netflix effect and remote(ly) shared experiences: How social media enables binge-viewing

Abstract

In 2013, the fifth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) included gambling as a non-substance-related disorder to its list of addictive disorders. However, television addiction was not included due to the lack of sufficient peer-reviewed research to outline diagnostic criteria and possible treatment courses. The first chapter analyzes the existing literature on television addiction, the theories that help explain this behavioral phenomenon and individuals who may be at highest-risk of developing unhealthy viewing patterns. The second chapter illuminates the new digital social landscape that has co-evolved with new television watching technology and its implication for future research in the field of media psychology. The final chapter integrates the conclusions from previous chapters and explores the implications these findings have for the future of the entertainment industry.