Social Media Addiction

Social media addiction is a behavioural addiction where you are unable to stop using social media even though it is causing problems for you. As social media is a relatively new thing, the condition has not been studied as much as other forms of addiction. However, social media addiction has many of the same traits as substance use disorders, including uncontrollable use, the neglect of family and important things in your life, and even withdrawal symptoms if you try to quit.

There are 56.2 million active social media users in the UK. With algorithms and marketing techniques designed to keep us online and clicking for longer, the risks of social media addiction are growing year by year.

Social media addiction is a complex condition with roots both in the inherent design of social media and the way our brains and bodies react to it. Here are some key factors:

Dopamine hits

Every time you get a like, comment or share, your brain releases dopamine, the “feel-good” neurotransmitter. Much like drug use, this can create a reward cycle that makes you crave more of the same and keeps you online.

Fear of missing out (FOMO)

The constant updates from friends and influencers can make you feel like you’re missing out on exciting events or important news. This can create a need to keep you checking your social media frequently so that you stay in the loop.

Instant gratification

Whether it’s a quick reply to a message or immediate likes on a post, social media’s instant feedback can be very addictive compared to real-life interactions that might take longer to unfold.

Social validation

The need for social validation and acceptance is another big driver. Approval from your friends and followers in the form of likes and positive comments can boost your self-esteem, making you return to social media repeatedly to seek more validation.

Coping mechanism

For some, social media serves as an escape from real-life problems. Instead of dealing with stress, anxiety or other emotional issues directly, you might use social media to distract yourself, leading to a cycle of avoidance and increased use.

Social media algorithms

Social media platforms use sophisticated algorithms to show you content that is most likely to keep you engaged. These algorithms learn your preferences and habits, ensuring that your feed is filled with posts, videos and ads that you find interesting or entertaining. This personalised content keeps you scrolling longer and coming back more often, increasing the risk of social media addiction.

Now that you have a better understanding of what social media addiction is, it is important to be able to recognise the signs of addiction in yourself or someone you know. If you are worried, here are some clues that you may have developed an addiction to social media:

• Spending excessive time online: If you find yourself spending more and more time on social media at the expense of other activities, it might be a sign.
• Neglecting responsibilities: Missing homework or chores or neglecting time with family and friends because you’re glued to your phone or computer.
• Mood swings: Feeling anxious, irritable or depressed when you can’t access social media or don’t get the response you expected.
• Escaping reality: Using social media to escape from real-life problems or to cope with stress and anxiety.
• Sleep problems: This can include staying up late, scrolling through feeds or waking up in the middle of the night to check your notifications.
• Denial: Denial is a common sign of all forms of addiction. It may involve denying that there is a problem for your loved ones, but it can also mean lying to yourself about the situation.

Social media addiction doesn’t just waste your time; it can also impact your life in many serious ways. Here are some of the most concerning social media addiction effects:

Mental health problems

Using social media too much can make you feel anxious, depressed or stressed. You may find yourself comparing yourself negatively to others or becoming upset if your content doesn’t get enough likes or comments.

Bad grades

Young people use social media the most and are at the highest risk of becoming addicted. This is a big problem as spending a lot of time on social media can distract you from studying, affect your grades and cause problems for you in the future.

Strained relationships

Being on your phone or tablet all the time can make you ignore your family and friends. This can make you feel very lonely and hurt your real-life relationships.

Sleep issues

Staying up late to check social media or waking up at night to see notifications can disrupt your sleep, making you tired and cranky during the day and affecting your physical and mental health.

Physical health problems

Sitting around using social media for hours can lead to weight gain, poor posture, eye strain and headaches from staring at screens too long.

Money problems

Trying to become an influencer or build a brand on social media can cost a lot of money, and you need to get the results you expect to avoid financial stress.

Cyberbullying

Being on social media a lot can expose you to cyberbullying and mean comments. This can be very upsetting and, in some cases, can even lead to self-harm or suicidal thoughts.

Knowing how to stop social media addiction in its tracks can prevent the situation from spiralling out of control. Here are some steps you can take:

• Decide how much time you want to spend on social media each day and stick to it.
• Disable notifications for social media apps so you’re not constantly tempted to check your phone every time it buzzes.
• Discover new hobbies or spend more time doing activities you enjoy that don’t involve screens.
• Try a digital detox where you take a break from social media for a set period. Start with a day and gradually increase the time as you feel more comfortable.

If those steps don’t work and you still find yourself unable to control your social media use, you may need to seek professional help. Oasis Bradford provides three-stage social media addiction treatment that combines detox, rehab and aftercare.

Detox means taking a break from social media to clear your mind and body from its constant influence. This helps reset your habits and gives you a fresh start to manage your social media use better.

Rehab treatment involves working with our therapists and counsellors to understand why you have become addicted to social media so you can work through the underlying personal issues and break addictive patterns.

Aftercare provides ongoing support after you complete detox and rehab through weekly group therapy. It is completely free for everyone who undergoes treatment at Oasis Bradford.

Ready to stop the constant scrolling? Oasis Bradford can help you find balance and break free from the binds of social media addiction. Our treatment programmes provide everything you need to develop a healthier relationship with social media and take control of your life. Don’t wait a day longer – contact us today to get started.