Addict
The Social Issue
MOTOVOHO presents ADDICT; a single performer production focusing on the impact of social media addiction.
31 words. Two lives ruined. John can take or leave social media, until his tweet goes viral. Then the trolls attack. With his pride dented John seeks revenge, creating an alter-ego to expose his abusers, with devastating consequences. As John gets sucked deeper into his darker online world, his life quickly falls apart at the seams.
Addict focuses on the growing issue of social media addiction and the spread of online abuse and its impact on mental health. The play also looks at the issues of toxic masculinity and the use of mysogynistic language online.
Audience Engagement
“...shining a light on an important and timely issue without preaching”
“A very thought provoking and important piece of theatre”
“The show tackles an important and current issue, should be seen be everyone”
Below are results from an audience survey designed independently by social researchers to engage audiences on topics raised by the play:
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MOTOVOHO audience survey was designed independently by social researchers to engage audiences on topics raised by the play. They specifically asked about:
Perspectives on social media addiction - including awareness relative to other forms of addiction and social impact on those affected
Views on how many hours used in a day constitute an ‘addiction’
Views on the play in particular, whether it improves awareness and what if any new learning the respondent took away from the play
Views on appropriateness for an American audience
General feedback overall
An experimental social media ‘addiction quiz’ was developed for audiences based on a modified mobile phone addiction survey instrument, tried and tested by academics in published literature. Respondents were given the option of taking the ‘quiz’ with 10 questions on their use of social media and scored on a 1-6 scale.
The survey was distributed using a QR code for audience members to scan.
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83% of respondents had seen the show.
Half had seen previews in London (49%)
56% had seen the show in Edinburgh
24% had seen the show more than once.
56% were aged 40yrs or older.
1 in 5 (20%) were in the younger age band of 16-24yrs who are potentially more at risk of social media addiction.
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85% of respondents agreed that social media addiction currently receives less publicity than other forms of addition .
Despite this 7 in 10 (73%) of respondents agreed that awareness is growing.
83% disagreed that this is an issue only affecting young people
88% of respondents overwhelmingly acknowledged the deeply negative impact that social media addiction can have on those affected
Creating Change in Society
ADDICT aims to expose the need for greater protection from online abuse and greater accountability for social media activity by removal of anonymity for users. MOTOVOHO are campaigning through their production for the promotion of codes of practice for all users and help for those who are experiencing online abuse.
MOTOVOHO received a response from the Department of Science, Innovation and Technology which acknowledges the issue and reinforces that the Online Safety Act protects against cyber-bullying but does particularly address the issue of social media addiction:
Advice and Support Available
If you have been affected by issues raised in ADDICT and/or are worried about you (or your friends and loved ones) phone use, further help and information is available from:
