8 signs your teen may have a social media addiction

Social media’s impact on the mental health of teens has become a hot topic. Countries such as Australia and the United Kingdom consider the issue serious enough to enact laws that ban or restrict social media use for people younger than 16.

It is difficult, at times, for parents to tell the difference between a teen who enjoys social media apps and one who may be developing an unhealthy dependence on them. Knowing the warning signs can help families step in before social media use starts affecting relationships, school performance or emotional well-being.

Why are teens on social media?

TikTok, YouTube, Instagram, Facebook and Snapchat are the five most popular social media apps among teens ages 13 to 17, according to a Pew Research report. Teens in the United States are reportedly averaging nearly five hours a day on social media. They’re logging on mostly for entertainment and to stay connected to friends, family and people who may share similar interests.

8 signs of a social media addiction

Signs of addiction can seem subtle at first but may increase over time. They include:

1. Lying about social media use.
2. Increasing social media use in hopes of achieving the same level of enjoyment they initially experienced.
3. Inability to stop using social media despite attempts to do so.
4. Demonstrating sadness, irritability or anxiety when unable to access social media.
5. Giving up activities and relationships they previously enjoyed.
6. Declining personal hygiene or grooming.
7. Using social media as a form of escapism to avoid conflict or stressful situations.
8. Poor performance at school, work or home.

Impacts of social media overuse or addiction

Social media addiction can impact many aspects of a person’s life. Because they are so focused on scrolling, their responsibilities are left neglected. Here are some of the areas that are affected:

• Self-esteem. Social media can be especially damaging to self-esteem, depending on how you use it. Many teens perceive the people appearing in their feeds as authentic. As a result, they may compare themselves with others and feel inadequate while trying to replicate images that have been carefully curated for social media and heavily edited.
• Real-world relationships may suffer. Relationships centered around people on social media can make it harder for teens to develop real-life connections and interactions.
• Online safety. Some relationships on social media can leave teens vulnerable to people online who intend to cause harm. That can include a scam for money, luring a young person from their home or persuading them to send inappropriate pictures.
• School/work performance. Spending hours on social media apps can make it difficult to do a job or complete schoolwork effectively.

Managing social media use

The best way to address social media addiction is to get away from social media. That is easier said than done. Here are two helpful strategies:

• Set social media time limits. Set a timer and log off as soon as your allotted time is up. Some households shut off Wi-Fi at 7 p.m. and don’t turn it back on until a certain time the following morning to reduce the temptation to quickly log on. Building a schedule that leaves less idle time can also be helpful.
• Delete apps and contacts. You can’t use what you don’t see. Reducing apps and your favorite contacts can make the experience less enjoyable and help reduce the desire to keep logging on.

Preventing social media addiction

The good news is parents are paying more attention to the way social media can affect them and their children. Balance, although difficult to maintain at times, is key.

• Check how much time you're spending on social media. Parents and caregivers need to set the standard when it comes to social media use. That may include reviewing their own habits and reducing how much time they spend on social media. Children and teens often mirror what their parents do, not what they say.
• Use parental controls. Makers of smartphones and social media apps often design their products to be easy for children to use, yet setting parental controls can be challenging. Don't be discouraged. Find the controls and use them.
• Set boundaries around social media use. Boundaries should include when, where and how long social media can be used.

Social media is not all bad. It’s a tool that, when used properly, has been helpful to many people. As children and teens continue to engage with these apps, it is important to help them establish healthy habits around social media use. If the strategies mentioned above are not working, it may be time to reach out to a mental health professional who can help you and your teen better understand what’s driving their social media usage and provide tools to help them begin to disengage.