what is social media addiction

Social media addiction is a behavioral addiction characterized by an excessive concern about social media, an uncontrollable urge to use it, and devoting so much time and effort to it that it impairs other important areas of life. The addictive nature of social media is attributed to the dopamine-inducing social environments that platforms like Facebook, Snapchat, and Instagram provide, which can lead to the same neural circuitry as gambling and recreational drugs. Symptoms of social media addiction may include a compulsion to check social media, spending long periods on social pages, spending less time doing offline activities, changes in mood, and withdrawal symptoms. Concerned parents can learn to recognize the signs of social media addiction in their teens, such as the desire for constant social media access, oversharing, ignoring real life, becoming stressed about posts, stalking others, and spending more than four hours on social media daily. If someone has a hard time controlling their social media use and thinks they may be addicted, they should consider why they use social media and evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of the time spent on various platforms. Its important to recognize the signs of social media addiction and take steps to address it, such as consulting a mental health professional if necessary.