Teens and social media have a close association since it is not uncommon to find teenagers spend several hours on social media websites. Teenage social media addiction isn’t a medical condition, but it’s a common problem that can adversely affect teens’ physical and mental health. According to a Pew Research Center report, 95% of teens have access to smartphones, and 45% stay online almost constantly (1). Due to this, several teens spend less time engaging in in-person activities, such as going outdoors or socializing with friends and family, raising their risk of developing sadness, loneliness, distress, and other related issues (2) (3). Thus, parents should proactively guide their teens to have responsible and regulated social media use. Keep reading as we share the signs of social media addiction in teens, its causes, effects, and practical tips to help teens regulate their social media use.
Signs Of Social Media Addiction In Teens
When a child or teen first joins a social site, it is normal for them to stay hooked to it most of the time. It usually happens due to the thrill of experimentation that is mostly transient. But if this use continues for longer, a teenager can develop a dependency, affecting other aspects of their life, such as hobbies and studies (4). According to the American Addiction Center, only a medical or mental health professional can diagnose social media addiction. However, there are a few warning signs that parents and educators can monitor (4) (5).
Distracted eating or skipping meals to be on the phone
Missing sleep to stay online on social media websites
Taking the phone to the washroom
Feeling sad when not getting likes, comments, retweets, or views
Lessor no “in-person” social interaction (social withdrawal)
No or little interest in activities and hobbies that the teen earlier used to like
Poor academic performance due to constant distraction
Inability to reduce or cease social media use even after experiencing its negative consequences
Behaving unsettled when the internet is down, or the social site or app isn’t working properly
Being anxious, irritable, and argumentative when confronted about excessive social media use
They reach for their phone the first thing in the morning.
If you notice any of these signs in your teen, talk to them calmly and try to understand the reason for their addiction. In several cases, teens get addicted to social media due to certain events or factors in life, such as dissatisfaction, unhappiness, and loneliness.
Causes Of Social Media Addiction In Teens
The two main reasons why teens can get addicted to social media are:
1. Easy accessibility
Most social media sites, such as Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, and Twitter, let the user make a profile for free. These platforms also do not charge any money for usage, letting the user use them indefinitely. A teenager can access their apps on phones or tablets or visit their websites and use them for as long as they desire.
2. Psychological reward and gratification
Social media platforms are designed to hold users’ attention longer by tapping into their psychological biases, need for validation, and fear of rejection (6). So, when a teen gets a like or a positive comment on their picture or post:
It can trigger dopamine release in the brain. Dopamine is a neurotransmitter that gives feelings of pleasure or reward. The more favorable responses a teen gets, the more rewarded they will feel, forming “addiction pathways” in the brain (7).
Regular use of social media gradually forms tolerance, which means teens now need more time on social media than before to get the same dopamine release.
Excessive social media use can eventually lead to dependence, where a teen needs to use social media to feel normal. If it goes unchecked, this dependence can lead to social media addiction.
FOMO (fear of missing out), nomophobia (fear of not having a working cellphone), smartphone addiction, and pre-existing mental health issues, such as stress, anxiety, and depression, are additional factors that could contribute to social media addiction (8).
Effects Of Social Media On Teens
Positive Effects Of Social Media
When used in a regulated and responsible way, social media use can help tweens and teens (7):
Make new friends and strengthen their social and communication skills.
Build social connections that could provide valuable support, especially if the teenager has affected abilities or chronic illness.
Learn different ways of self-expression and enjoy some fun time with friends, family, and peers.
Discover information and learning resources that can help in personal and academic development.
Find emotional support during tough times and vent out one’s feelings, emotions, and thoughts.
There are also social media pages and influencers that provide positive and edifying information.
Negative Effects Of Social Media
The unguided and excessive use of social media can have several adverse effects on teenagers.
Increased isolation and loneliness due to reduced in-person social interaction.
Low self-esteem and anxiety due to constant comparison with others on social media.
Disrupted sleep patterns due to increased blue light exposure at bedtime.
Decreased physical activity, affecting overall health and leading to health issues, such as obesity.
Exposure to bullies (cyberbullying), offensive comments, and abuse.
Exposure to risky behaviors, such as sexting, substance abuse, or eating disorders.
Distorted sense of self due to exposure to increased fakeness and filters often found on social media.
Practical Tips To Deal With Social Media Addiction In Teens
Confiscating your teen’s cellphone/tablet to stop social media overuse is futile as it can backfire by making teens feel dejected. Here are some practical tips that can manage and prevent social media addiction in adolescents and teens(9) (10). If your teen is struggling to stay away from social media or social media is affecting their overall health even after persistent guidance and monitoring, you should speak to your healthcare professional. The doctor will devise a de-addiction plan based on the social media addiction intensity and issues faced by the teen. Social media use among teenagers is ubiquitous. While its responsible and guided use can help stay connected with other people and learn new things, its overuse can cause addiction. Teenage social media addiction is linked to mental health problems and functional impairment that can affect a teen’s quality of life. Thus, parents and educators should monitor and guide teens’ social media activities. Following simple measures to have healthy social media use can help teens reap its benefits without the risk of getting addicted to it.
