While not an official medical diagnosis, experts are identifying addictive behaviors in young social media users and recommending family-based interventions.
Key facts
- •Social media addiction is not currently an official diagnosis defined by the American Psychiatric Association.
- •One in 5 preteens surveyed reported using social media apps as a way to forget about their problems.
- •Research indicates that addictive social media use is associated with sleep disturbances and depressive symptoms one year later.
- •Health experts recommend that families implement a media plan to limit screen time during meals and in bedrooms.
Legal challenges against Meta have brought the issue of social media addiction among young users into the spotlight. While the American Psychiatric Association does not yet recognize social media addiction as an official diagnosis, health experts report an increasing number of young people exhibiting symptoms associated with compulsive platform use.
By the numbers
Symptoms and Research Findings
Dr. Petros Levounis, head of psychiatry at Rutgers Medical School, notes that a small group of people exhibit addiction symptoms, such as constant preoccupation with social media and an inability to reduce usage despite recognizing it as unhealthy. Research led by Dr. Jason Nagata of the University of San Francisco indicates that among 11- to 12-year-olds, 25% spend significant time thinking about their apps, 20% use them to avoid problems, and approximately 16.7% struggle to reduce their usage despite attempts to do so.
Associated Health Risks
Studies have linked addictive social media use in youth to several negative outcomes. According to Dr. Nagata, young people exhibiting these behaviors showed higher rates of depressive and attention problems, sleep disturbances, suicide behaviors, and substance initiation one year later. Researchers have also identified potential long-term associations with poor cognition and memory.
Strategies for Parents
Experts suggest that addressing this issue requires both regulatory action against addictive app features and proactive family management. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends creating a family media plan to establish clear rules for screen time. Practical steps include keeping devices out of bedrooms and mealtimes, and encouraging children to replace digital engagement with in-person activities.
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This article was independently rewritten by ManyPress editorial AI from reporting originally published by NPR Health.
