Social Media Addiction

In July 2023, there were 5.17 billion users of social media. This stands at 63.7% of the global population. With an average joining rate of 8.9 users per second, social media use has become increasingly embedded into our everyday lives. Collectively, we spend ‘more than 12 billion hours using social platforms each day.’ When it is this common, it can be difficult to identify when our social media usage becomes out of the ordinary.

Whilst it may seem that ‘everyone’ is spending increasing periods of time online, that does not necessarily mean that our collective use is risky. There is a line between frequent use and fixation. This is where the distinction between the use of social media as a habit and pathological use begins to cement itself. Social media addiction can lead to a range of damaging effects, potentially impacting our physical, social and psychological health in various ways. But what does a social media addiction look like? Why is this online activity so addictive, and what can we do to prevent becoming dependent?

Social media addiction

Social Media Addiction (SMA) is a subtype of internet addiction.

A 2022 research paper defines social media addiction as:

‘a type of behavioural addiction that is broadly defined as a compulsive engagement in social media platforms that significantly disrupts the user’s functioning in important life domains, such as interpersonal relations, work or study performance, and physical health.’

According to recent data, the average individual spends around 2 hours and 20 minutes daily engaging with social media. Whilst this is perhaps higher than the recommended screen time for the average adult, this number is viewed as being relatively ‘normal’ and, therefore, provides a baseline for considering excessive social media use.

Social media addiction is particularly associated with young people, especially older children, teens and young adults. One study found that social media addiction was especially prominent among university students. However, this does not mean that social media addiction is limited to those groups – this type of addiction can be (and is) experienced by individuals across various demographics. .

Social media addicts may find themselves spending increasing time on a range of platforms, including:

• Facebook
• Snapchat
• TikTok
• Instagram
• Messenger
• Pinterest
• WhatsApp
• Tumblr
• Discord
• Reddit
• Threads

Is social media addictive?

Dopamine is one of the key neurotransmitters in the brain. When dopamine is ‘triggered’ by an activity, it releases a rush of positive feelings. This means that the brain’s reward circuitry is stimulated by specific activity. Social media use leads to bursts in dopamine activity, meaning that social media addiction, on some level, has a neurobiological basis.

Bergen social media addiction scale

The Bergen Social Media Addiction Scale (BSMAS) is a screening tool.

The BSMAS consists of 6 statements:

1. You spend a lot of time thinking about social media or planning how to use it.
2. You feel an urge to use social media more and more.
3. You use social media in order to forget about personal problems.
4. You have tried to cut down on the use of social media without success.
5. You become restless or troubled if you are prohibited from using social media.
6. You use social media so much that it has had a negative impact on your job/studies.

The aim is to respond to each statement as honestly as possible with one of the following answers:

• very rarely (score of 1)
• rarely (score of 2)
• sometimes (score of 3)
• often (score of 4)
• or very often (score of 5)

The higher the score, the higher the indication that an addiction is present.

Signs that you are addicted to social media

Social media addiction is driven by compulsion, negative consequences and a lack of control. Common signs, therefore, are:

• compulsive checking of social media
• spending long periods of time on social media without breaks
• reduced engagement with other hobbies
• reduced engagement with personal commitments
• unpredictable mood
• feeling emotionally connected to social media
• feeling that social media has a dramatic impact on your emotional wellbeing

How can behavioural addictions be dangerous?

Whilst social media addiction may at first appear to be relatively low risk, it is important to recognise the dangers associated with behavioural addictions. Whilst these types of dependency may not appear to pose the same acute risk to physical health as chemical addictions, reliant use on a specific behaviour can harm both body and mind. There is a potential risk that, as a collective, we underestimate the risks associated with behavioural addictions.

However, this can lead to a normalisation of excessive engagement with specific activities and reduce an individual’s ability to accurately self-reflect on the nature of their behaviour. Considering the risks associated with social media addiction is necessary for both personal and social wellbeing. It can also act to incentivise access to addiction treatment when and where needed.

Side effects of social media addiction

Clinicians have identified a range of physical, psychological and social impacts linked with excessive social media use. These include:

• insomnia
• headaches
• vision issues
• hypertension
• increased blood pressure
• increased cholesterol
• reduced physical activity
• weight gain
• difficulty regulating stress
• high cortisol levels
• orthopaedic issues
• depression
• anxiety
• suicidal ideation
• reduction in the brain’s grey matter
• reduced social skills
• poor impulse control
• cognitive impairment
• loneliness
• poor attainment

Causes of social media addiction

Addictions are complex phenomena. They are not often caused by one specific trigger – there are usually several contributing factors. Examples include:

• social isolation
• social anxiety
• fear of missing out (FOMO)
• high stress
• low self-esteem
• mental health concerns
• neurodivergence
• cyberbullying
• lack of affection
• app design leading to increased and repeat use

Treating social media addiction

Social media addiction can have devastating effects on confidence and wellbeing, even reducing our sense of self and potentially harming our health. When this occurs, support is needed to combat these difficulties.

Therapy

Social media addiction can be addressed through engagement with appropriate therapies. This could include:

• Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT)
• Group CBT
• Dialectical behavioural therapy (DBT)
• Mindfulness therapy
• Holistic support
• Counselling
• Trauma therapy

Medication

If symptoms of mental health concerns are considerably impeding your life, you may benefit from engaging with appropriate medications. These medications will be prescribed, reviewed and regulated by healthcare professionals. The medication will aim to quell difficult symptoms that may be contributing to the addictive use of social media and to treat the emotional impact of addiction.

Dual diagnosis support

It is common for individuals with a behavioural addiction to also be living with one or more mental health conditions. Common examples include:

• Anxiety
• Depression
• Bipolar
• Personality disorders
• OCD
• Schizophrenia

Managing mental health symptoms through therapy can alleviate some of the underlying feelings that contribute to the development of addictive behaviour.

Seek support

Here at Banbury Lodge, we can help you to take the steps towards an addiction-free future.  Contact us today for a free, confidential consultation with a member of our team. We are here to lend a listening, non-judgmental ear and guide you through potential options for specialist, holistic addiction and mental health support. We are available to talk you through the bespoke rehab packages we offer to help identify the most appropriate treatment for your current needs.

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