Social Media Addiction − Signs, Causes and How to Get Help

Social media emerged as a hub for social interaction, promoting relationships and allowing for self-expression and creativity.

As of December 2023, 91.56% of Americans are active on social media, with Facebook being the most popular platform. However, excessive use can lead to social media addiction (SMA). This condition skyrocketed during the COVID-19 pandemic due to the lockdowns, which pushed people to maintain strict online contact.

As this condition significantly disrupts several aspects of an individual’s life, keep reading to learn about its signs, causes and treatment.

Table Of Contents:

What is Addiction to Social Media?
Signs and Symptoms of Addiction to Social Media
Causes of Social Media Addiction
Social Media and Health Risks in Teenagers and Adults
Social Media Addiction Treatment
Social Media Addiction – Key Takeaways
People Also Ask

Social media platforms like Instagram, LinkedIn, TikTok, and X are easily accessible third-party applications for smartphones and tablets. They enable photo and video sharing and allow users to interact with each other’s content.

While this is the positive side of social media, some users will experience the downside and develop an addiction. Social media addiction definition can be challenging to characterize. However, it has been described as a type of behavioral addiction that causes a strong emotional attachment to an internet-connected device and/or platform, with individuals feeling an intense need to stay online, significantly disrupting users’ functioning in essential life aspects.

Everyone is at risk of developing this addiction. However, since during adolescence, teenagers’ brains and social skills are still under development, they are particularly vulnerable to this addiction, with already 54% of American teens saying it would be difficult for them to give up social media.

While addiction to social media isn’t officially recognized by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), researchers agree it shares similarities with dependence on drugs such as alcohol, nicotine and heroin due to the set of feel-good experiences they provide to the user.

Based on this, clinicians may use the six elements of behavioral addictions to identify social media addiction, which are 1) salience, 2) tolerance, 3) mood modification, 4) relapse, 5) withdrawal and 6) conflict:

Obsessing over social media at the expense of other life areas
Increasing social media time for the same satisfaction level
Using social media as a way to cope with or ease negative feelings
Struggling to limit social media use despite efforts
Failed attempts to cut back on social media
Feeling distressed, anxious, or irritable without social media access

Addiction to social media is predominantly driven by a multilayered interaction of mental health issues and environmental factors (i.e., the pressure to be constantly online). Depression and anxiety are two of the most common mental health issues associated with addiction to social media.

Anxiety and Addiction to Social Media

Individuals with anxiety may be prone to get addicted to social media due to a preference for online over face-to-face interactions, worsening fears of real-life socializing. This cycle can intensify as higher anxiety leads to increased reliance on social media for connection.

Depression and Social Media Addiction

As social media platforms are designed to trigger pleasure centers in the brain through likes, comments, and shares, those with depression may rely on social media to ease negative feelings. However, experiences like cyberbullying and social comparison can worsen the symptoms.

Fear of Missing Out (FOMO), Peer Influence and Accessibility

Social pressure from friends or peers may lead to compulsively checking and scrolling for social validation, as people fear missing important updates. Also, the widespread availability of smartphones and internet connectivity makes social media easily accessible, increasing the likelihood of excessive use

Social media platforms, particularly TikTok and Instagram, have undeniably impacted teenagers’ and adults’ health and well-being. They have the potential to worsen existing health issues or give rise to new ones, such as:

Mental Health Effects

Studies have found a correlation between heavy social media use and increased rates of depression and anxiety among teenagers and adults. A study found that for every additional hour a teenager spends on social media, the depression risk goes up by 13%.

Cyberbullying

Social media platforms provide anonymity that can be used to intentionally harm others, leading to severe mental health consequences, including suicide. Reports indicate that 10% to 72% of youths have experienced cyberbullying globally.

Body Image and Self-Esteem

Instagram’s edited photos and filters distort beauty standards and create negative body image perceptions, especially among younger users.

Research shows a direct link between increased time spent on Instagram and higher dissatisfaction with body image, leading to notably lower self-esteem among users exceeding 3 hours of daily usage. This preoccupation with body image can escalate to eating disorders and body dysmorphia.

Physical Health

Social media overuse can cause a sedentary lifestyle, leading to health risks such as obesity and cardiovascular problems. Also, using social media before bed can disrupt sleep patterns, causing insomnia and poor sleep quality.

Treatment for social media addiction encompasses various strategies aimed at addressing the underlying causes and helping individuals regain control of their online behaviors.

Key approaches include:

Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT): Therapists use CBT to modify negative thought patterns and develop healthier coping mechanisms
Mindfulness Techniques: Practices like meditation increase awareness of online habits and help in impulse management
Setting Boundaries: Clear limits on social media use, like screen-free times or app restrictions, foster a healthier balance.
Support Groups: Joining peers in support groups or counseling sessions offers community and encouragement
Lifestyle Changes: Prioritizing offline activities reduces reliance on social media for pleasure

Society is actively addressing the impact of digital devices on the community. The outcomes of Norway’s initiative to ban smartphones in middle schools present compelling evidence.

The intervention led to a nearly 60% decrease in girls’ visits to psychological specialists and a significant reduction of 46% in bullying incidents for girls and 43% for boys. Also, girls’ academic performance improved noticeably. These findings highlight the link between smartphone usage and mental health issues, calling for proactive measures.

Recognizing and addressing digital and social media dependency is paramount for societal well-being. If addiction to social media is suspected, seek professional help to build healthier online behaviors.

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Published on: December 11th, 2017

Updated on: July 4th, 2024