WASHINGTON: The debate over social media addiction is no longer confined to teenagers. Mental health experts warn that adults, too, are increasingly struggling to regulate their use of platforms like Instagram, TikTok and Snapchat, raising broader concerns about digital well-being in an always-connected world.
Social media addiction has often been compared to casinos, opioids and cigarettes because of the way platforms are engineered to capture attention. Endless scrolling, short-form video loops and the psychological reward of likes and comments create powerful feedback cycles. For tech companies whose revenues depend heavily on advertising, keeping users engaged for longer periods directly translates into billions of dollars in profits.
While much of the public scrutiny has focused on children and teens, psychiatrists say adults are equally vulnerable, especially when online habits begin interfering with work, relationships or mental health.
Dr. Anna Lembke, a psychiatrist and medical director of addiction medicine at Stanford University School of Medicine, defines addiction as continued compulsive use of a substance or behavior despite harm to oneself or others. She has argued that what makes social platforms particularly compelling is their “24/7, limitless and frictionless access.”
Yet not all researchers agree on whether heavy social media use qualifies as a clinical addiction. The term is not formally recognized in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM), the primary reference guide for mental health diagnoses. Critics say that labeling it an addiction requires clear symptoms such as withdrawal and uncontrollable urges.
Still, many experts emphasize that the absence of an official diagnosis does not mean the behavior cannot be harmful.
Dr. Laurel Williams, a professor of psychiatry at Baylor College of Medicine, says the more important question is how social media makes a person feel and whether it disrupts daily responsibilities.
“If you are missing out on other things you enjoy, or you regularly leave feeling anxious, overwhelmed or drained, that’s problematic use,” she has noted.
Signs of compulsive use can include putting off work or chores to scroll, repeatedly attempting to cut back but failing, or feeling guilt and distress about time spent online.
Professor Ofir Turel of the University of Melbourne, who studies technology overuse, says there is little consensus on terminology but broad agreement that excessive digital engagement poses a societal challenge.
“It’s obvious that we have an issue,” he has said, adding that debate over definitions should not distract from addressing the problem.
Experts suggest that understanding how feeds and advertising algorithms function is a first step toward regaining control. Social platforms are designed to personalize content, reinforce existing interests and keep users engaged through emotional triggers whether positive validation or outrage-inducing “rage bait.”
Small behavioral tweaks can also help. Ian A. Anderson, a postdoctoral scholar at California Institute of Technology, recommends “light-touch interventions” such as moving apps off the home screen, disabling notifications or avoiding phone use in the bedroom.
Built-in device tools offer additional guardrails. Apple’s Screen Time and Android’s Digital Wellbeing settings allow users to schedule downtime, limit app categories and track usage. However, these features often function more as nudges than strict barriers, as limits can be easily overridden.
For those needing stronger measures, some users switch their phones to grayscale to reduce visual stimulation, revert to simpler devices or use physical blockers that require scanning a tag before accessing certain apps. Companies like Yondreven market lockable pouches designed to create a physical barrier between users and their devices.
Ultimately, specialists caution that persistent overuse may signal deeper issues such as anxiety, loneliness or depression. In such cases, therapy or structured support groups may offer longer-term solutions.
As digital platforms continue to shape social interaction, experts say the challenge is not necessarily to abandon social media, but to prevent it from quietly reshaping daily life in unhealthy ways.
-Balmforth Ortutay
