Do you have a teenager who is glued to their phone? You try to get them to get off of it and they lash out at you? Don’t worry, you aren’t alone, “social media addiction” is a new wave of technology addiction, and it is affecting mental health for teens and adolescents across the nation.
What is Social Media Addiction?
Technology, the internet and social media have been great tools for us to connect with one another, especially with those who are out of our immediate reach. However, the overuse of social media can cause social media addiction which is exactly what it sounds like. It is the feeling of needing to access social media applications such as Facebook, Snapchat, Instagram or TikTok consistently.
Teens And Social Media Addiction
Teenagers and adolescents who use social media may receive a rush of dopamine when they like, share or receive positive comments from their peers which can create a “high”. This can create a cycle, where teens or adolescents may feel the need to recreate that feeling by creating more posts for their social media accounts.
This pattern of usage and re-usage of social media creates one that is similar to patterns created by other addictive behaviours.
When it comes to teens and social media addiction, research shows those who use it more often have a higher likelihood of developing depression and a lower satisfaction with life.
Accepting Effects Of Social Media On Mental Health
Teenagers’ and adolescents’ use of social media has been increasing since 2019, and are spending more time scrolling on social media. They also report that they are getting less enjoyment when using social media and often embrace the label of online addiction, agreeing that social media is addictive.
Mental Health For Teens: How To Deal With Social Media Addiction
The first thing you can do is to recognize what overdoing it looks like! Some ways to tell if your teen is overusing social media can include:
- Having trouble reducing social media time, even when their usage is being limited
- Lying about the amount of time spent on social media
- Constant thoughts about getting back to an online platform when away from it
- Signs of depression or anxiety after online usage
Once you recognize the signs, you can talk openly with your child about teens and social media addiction. Educate them about the feelings and risks.
Another strategy that you can use is to create screen-free zones around the home, such as the bedroom or the dinner table and abide by these rules yourself too! Being a good role model can help to influence your teenager to follow in your footsteps. Additionally, if you are unfamiliar with social media yourself, learn about it!
Educating yourself on the social media platforms your teen is using can help you understand what could be good, bad or possibly dangerous.
Related: Mental Health And Social Media – How To Balance It In A Healthy Way
Getting Help: Therapy For Teens With Social Media Addiction
At the end of the day, you can’t always monitor your teenager, and as they get older, they will interact with others both in the real world and virtually through social media how they see fit. However, you can help them learn early on the dangers and safety of these new platforms that are taking our world by storm. Help them create a positive image of themselves that doesn’t need likes or reposts from the online world of social media. Seek help if needed, and remember to model what it looks like to unplug from social media yourself!
If your teen is experiencing symptoms of depression and anxiety you can also contact a professional for help. Rebound Total Health offers teen therapy services for this and you can book a free 15-minute consultation here.
Ready to take the first step? Connect with a therapist today and get the support your teen needs in regard to social media addiction. At Rebound Total Health in Hamilton, Ontario, we offer in-person therapy as well as virtual online counselling.
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