Written by:

Medically Reviewed by:

Dr Mateen Durrani – MBBS, DPM, MSc, BCPsych

Last Updated:

January 6th, 2025

Social Media Addiction | Signs, Effects & Treatment

Social media addiction is a behavioural disorder where individuals become excessively absorbed in social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and TikTok to the extent that it interferes with their daily lives. This addiction manifests as a compulsive need to check notifications, post updates and engage with content, often leading to neglect of personal, professional or academic responsibilities.

Social media is a relatively new phenomenon, exploding in popularity over the past decade. While medical professionals recognise the potential for addiction to these platforms, diagnosing it remains challenging. The latest edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), released in 2013, doesn’t include social media addiction as a distinct diagnosis. At that time, social media was still emerging, and its profound impact on mental health wasn’t fully understood.

What are the signs of social media addiction?

Despite the absence of a specific diagnosis, many symptoms of social media addiction align with the criteria for other behavioural addictions. These symptoms include:

Symptom	Description	Example
Preoccupation with social media	Constantly thinking about or planning the next social media activity.	An individual spends their workday thinking about what to post next, often jotting down ideas for new videos or planning their next update.
Psychological withdrawal symptoms	Feeling restless, anxious or irritable when unable to access social media.	When someone’s phone dies during a family dinner, they become visibly anxious and restless, frequently checking their watch and asking to borrow someone else’s phone.
Tolerance	Needing to spend increasing amounts of time on social media to achieve satisfaction.	A person who used to be satisfied with an hour a day on social media now finds themselves needing to spend three or four hours to feel content.
Neglect of other activities	Ignoring responsibilities or interests in favour of social media use.	Someone who used to enjoy playing sports and cooking now skips practices and ignores meal prep to binge-watch videos and engage in discussions.
Negative impact on relationships	Experiencing conflicts or strain in personal relationships due to excessive social media use.	A couple argues frequently because one partner spends more time on social media than engaging in conversations or shared activities.

How does a social media addiction begin?

There are many reasons why and how a social media addiction begins, and they can all vary depending on the person and the unique situation. Below, we take a look at some of these causes of social media addiction:

Instant gratification

Social media platforms are designed to provide instant gratification. Likes, comments and shares trigger the release of dopamine, a chemical in the brain associated with pleasure and reward. This immediate feedback loop can be highly reinforcing, making users crave more interaction.

Social validation

People naturally seek social validation and approval. Social media provides a platform where users can receive this validation quickly and frequently. Over time, individuals may start to rely on social media for self-esteem and confidence boosts.

Escapism

For many, social media offers an escape from real-life problems and stress. It can be a way to avoid dealing with issues or negative emotions. This can lead to excessive use as a coping mechanism.

Algorithmic influence

Social media platforms use sophisticated algorithms to keep users engaged. These algorithms curate content that is most likely to hold a user’s attention, creating a personalised and often addictive experience.

Social connection

The need for social connection is a fundamental human trait. Social media provides a way to stay connected with friends and family, especially in situations where physical interaction is limited. This can lead to increased and prolonged usage.

Habit formation

Repeated use of social media can lead to habit formation. Checking social media can become an automatic behaviour, done without conscious thought, especially during idle moments.

Who is at risk of forming a social media addiction?

While it’s possible for anyone to develop a social media addiction, children and teens are the most likely to be affected.

A retrospective case series conducted at a tertiary care centre analysed the clinical correlations between TikTok and Instagram reels usage and mental health crises among adolescents. This study included seven patients, aged 11 to 18 years, who underwent emergency psychiatric evaluation following social media-related incidents since January 2022.

The findings revealed that all patients displayed behaviours consistent with addiction criteria related to TikTok or Instagram Reels usage. These behaviours included spending more time on the platforms than intended, experiencing negative social consequences, showing symptoms of withdrawal and feeling distressed when access was restricted. Alarmingly, the majority of these adolescents also presented with suicidal ideation and self-harm behaviours, with some requiring inpatient psychiatric care.

The researchers expressed particular concern over minors engaging in inappropriate or risky behaviours on these platforms, such as forming relationships with adults or sharing explicit content. These findings underscore the heightened risk among adolescents for developing social media addiction and its severe mental health implications.

What does the future hold for social media addiction?

As social media continues to embed itself in the fabric of our daily lives, the question of addiction becomes more pressing. Recent data from April 2024 reveals a staggering number of monthly active users across various platforms, hinting at a future where social media addiction could become even more prevalent.

Here’s a look at the data:

Facebook leads with 3.065 billion active users.

YouTube follows with 2.504 billion users.

Instagram and WhatsApp both have 2 billion users.

TikTok has 1.582 billion users.

WeChat has 1.343 billion users.
Facebook Messenger has 1.010 billion users.

Other notable platforms include Telegram (900 million), Snapchat (800 million), Douyin (755 million), Kuaishou (700 million), X/Twitter (611 million), Weibo (598 million), QQ (554 million) and Pinterest (498 million).

The data indicates that social media addiction is likely to increase due to the growing number of active users and the diversification of platforms. As these networks continue to develop more engaging content and features, users may find it increasingly challenging to disconnect, leading to potential negative impacts on mental health and well-being.

How is a social media addiction treated?

Overcoming social media addiction can be challenging without professional help. At Linwood House, we understand the struggle and are here to support you every step of the way.

Inpatient rehab programmes focusing on social media addiction provide the structure and guidance needed to break free from the cycle of constant checking and scrolling. Here are some of the therapies we offer:

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT): Helps you identify and change harmful thoughts and behaviours.

Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT): Teaches you how to manage intense emotions healthily.

Motivational interviewing: Keeps you motivated, which is crucial for long-term recovery.
Mindfulness-based therapy: Promotes emotional peace and helps prevent relapse.

Inpatient rehab is often the most effective way to address social media addiction, as it allows you to focus on your recovery without the usual distractions. Our experienced treatment team at Linwood House is dedicated to helping you rediscover a life that isn’t dominated by social media.

What’s next?

Struggling with social media addiction can be overwhelming. At Linwood House, we offer a caring and supportive environment to help you regain balance and control. Our compassionate team is ready to assist you on your journey to a healthier life. Reach out to Linwood House today for the support you need.

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes social media addictive?

Social media is addictive due to its ability to trigger the brain’s reward system through constant engagement, which releases dopamine, creating a pleasurable feeling. The platforms are designed to offer endless scrolling, personalised content, and social validation, which keeps users seeking more interaction. This combination of immediate rewards, social connectivity, and algorithm-driven content personalisation makes it hard for users to disengage, fostering a cycle of habitual use.

What to do if I’m addicted to social media

If you’re addicted to social media, start by setting time limits on your usage and use apps or built-in phone features to monitor and control your screen time. Consider turning off notifications to reduce distractions and engage in other activities like hobbies, exercise, or socialising in person to replace online time. If you still feel this isn’t enough to curb your addiction, then it might be time to seek professional help.

How many people are addicted to social media?

It is estimated that over 210 million people worldwide exhibit addictive behaviours when it comes to social media. The prevalence is particularly high among teenagers and young adults, who are more susceptible to the addictive features and social pressures found on these platforms.

(Click here to see works cited)

O’Brien, Erin. “Examining the Link between Social Media Addiction and Psychiatric Emergencies in Youth.” Psychiatric Times, Psychiatric Times, 1 May 2024, www.psychiatrictimes.com/view/examining-the-link-between-social-media-addiction-and-psychiatric-emergencies-in-youth.
Dixon, Stacy Jo. “Biggest Social Media Platforms 2024.” Statista, 22 May 2024, www.statista.com/statistics/272014/global-social-networks-ranked-by-number-of-users/.