If you often find yourself involuntarily reaching for your Instagram app, mindlessly scrolling through your feed throughout the day, and anxiously searching for the red notification icon, you’re not alone. The conversation surrounding phone and app addiction has gained significant attention due to new data on social media usage among Gen Z-ers and a recent lawsuit against Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram.
According to the Cigna Group’s 2023 Vitality in America study, Gen Z-ers are well aware of this phenomenon. While only 44% of those surveyed believe they are addicted to technology, 67% feel that most other people their age are. Additionally, 40% of Gen Z-ers wish they could spend less time on social media altogether.
This issue is at the core of the lawsuit filed by 33 states against Meta. The complaint alleges that Meta has effectively used technology to entice and engage young people, prioritizing profit over public safety by downplaying the dangers of their social media platforms.
Although there isn’t an official psychiatric diagnosis for social media addiction, clinical psychologist Mari Radzik acknowledges that individuals may struggle to reduce their social media use and find themselves becoming obsessed. Problematic use of social media, particularly among adolescents aged 13 to 17, has been recognized as a risk to mental health by the U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy.
Gallup survey findings show that U.S. teenagers spend an average of 4.8 hours per day on social media apps, including YouTube, TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, and X (formerly known as Twitter). A study published in JAMA Psychiatry in 2019 suggests that teens who spend more than three hours a day on social media may be at higher risk of experiencing symptoms of depression and anxiety.
The American Psychological Association highlights several red flags indicating excessive social media use among adolescents. These include an inability to stop using social media despite wanting to, interference with daily routines, going to great lengths or lying to maintain social media use, and problems with schoolwork or relationships due to social media use.
Dr. Stuart Lustig, a child psychiatrist, explains that Gen Z-ers consider their social media use an “addiction” due to their daily reliance on it, despite being aware of its negative impact. He emphasizes that social media affects self-esteem, self-image, and peer comparisons, while also serving as a source of information and connection for young people.
Vikram R. Bhargava, an assistant professor and former grade school teacher, suggests that early exposure to social media contributes to its addictive nature among youth. He found that even second-grade students had Facebook profiles and couldn’t start their day without checking their social media. Bhargava emphasizes that certain students continued to use social media despite experiencing cyberbullying on these platforms.
Unlike traditional addiction diagnoses, which typically require significant disruptions in various aspects of life, identifying problematic social media use among adolescents can be challenging. Despite the negative impacts, young people still go to school and interact with their families, making it harder to classify their usage as a straightforward addiction.
Lustig points out that the focus is on young people because they are struggling with mental health challenges to a greater extent than previous generations. Feelings of loneliness and isolation, which can be exacerbated by social media, are particularly prevalent among Gen Z-ers. However, Bhargava warns against assuming that this issue only affects children and teens. The adaptive algorithms used by social media platforms tailor the experience to individual users, impacting social media use across all generations.
While the harm caused by social media is still being studied, the U.S. Surgeon General advises users and parents to be aware of potential risks. Taking preventive measures can mitigate these risks, including teaching critical thinking skills when engaging with social media content, setting rules and boundaries, logging out of applications to reduce accessibility, and modeling healthy phone and social media use. Early intervention is key to addressing these issues effectively.
