Introduction
According to research, nearly half of British teenagers claim to be addicted to social media. These findings coincide with growing calls for large tech corporations to take responsibility for the effects of their platforms on their users.
The results from the Millennium Cohort research support the notion that many individuals believe they no longer have control over how they utilize interactive digital media. It appears as if dozens of US Stests are suing Instagram and its parent company, Meta, alleging that they are to blame for the crisis in mental health among young people, especially in light of the significant regulations that the EU has implemented to offer users more control over smartphone apps.
The most recent study, conducted by Dr. Amy Orben’s group at the University of Cambridge, made use of information from the Millennium Cohort Project, which followed the lives of over 19,000 individuals born in England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland between 2000 and 2002. The group was initially questioned about their use of social media between the ages of 16 and 18. Out of the 7,000 respondents, 48% said that they agreed or strongly agreed with the statement, “I believe I have a social media addiction.” Girls were more likely to agree (57%) than males (37%), according to the data shared with the
According to scientists, this does not imply that these individuals are genuinely experiencing a clinical addiction; rather, it indicates that there may be a problem in the connection when there is a perceived lack of control.
Graduate student Georgia Turner, who was in charge of the analysis, said, “We’re not saying the people who say they feel addicted are addicted.” Addiction to social media that one perceives as having is not always the same as addiction to drugs. However, feeling as though you have no control over your actions is not a pleasant sensation. The sheer number of people who share those feelings is remarkable; it can’t be that good.
Concern over the possibility that digital technology could trigger obsessive behaviors has grown, as seen by the World Health Organization’s decision to include “gaming disorder” as a diagnosis in the International Classification of Diseases. Ahead of time this year the US Surgeon General issued a real public health advisory on the possible threats social media poses to the mental health and wellness of young people
Nevertheless, there is conflicting data to support these public health worries. For example, a recent study on Facebook challenged claims that using social media can be detrimental to one’s mental health and that specialists disagree on how to classify certain behaviors connected to digital technology.
According to Turner, social media research has generally presumed that “social media addiction” will operate along similar lines to drug addiction. Noting that this is probably going to be oversimplistic, Orben’s team and others are looking into whether the teenagers fall into groups whose behavior can be predicted by other personality features.
Some people may compare their relationship to a behavioral addiction, while others may use social media in response to negative social perceptions about “wasting time” on the platform, be driven by compulsive checking, or rely on it as a coping mechanism for difficult life experiences.
The director of Boston Children’s Hospital’s Digital Wellness Lab, Dr. Michael Rich, stated that the most recent results support the clinical experience of his facility, which shows that a sizable percentage of young people struggle with “problematic interactive media use” (Pimu), which is the uncontrolled use of interactive media of all kinds, including social media, gaming, pornography, and “information-bingeing,” which is the endlessly linked short videos, blogs, and aggregate sites.
According to Rich, time is typically supported by an underlying psychological issue, such as anxiety, depression, autism spectrum disorder (ASD), ADHD, or another mood illness. He stated, “As a coping mechanism, these young people are seeking out the responsive interactivity of other humans or AI bots.” “Pimu resolves on its own when the underlying disorder is recognized and treated, or it can be managed with behavioral changes.”
According to Rich, he disapproves of the term “addiction” because it stigmatizes people and since reasonable internet use is necessary for daily functioning, thus total abstinence is typically not the best course of action.
Turner remarked, “It could be that there are different pathways to saying yes and it’s not that everyone feels they’re addicted in the same way.” She also noted that the issue at hand was not just one of the philosophy surrounding addiction but also of identifying effective remedies when they were required. She stated, “It’s about helping people.” We are unable to assist them if that is not the true cause of their issues.
Policies that go beyond individual clinical remedies are required, according to Dr. Andres Roman-Urrestarazu, a psychiatrist at the University of Cambridge and the UK lead for Bootstrap, a pan-European experiment on problematic internet use.
The way that social media and big internet corporations interact with consumers is still mainly unregulated, he claimed. “It’s interesting to me that algorithms created to boost sales are often very offensive and create products that endanger the most vulnerable people,” the man stated. “We must advocate for transparency in algorithms.”
Here are some specific tips for fostering healthy social media habits:
Encourage candid and open dialogue with teenagers regarding their thoughts regarding social media, their experiences using it, and any worries they may have.
Establish limits: Establish unambiguous rules about screen time, when to use devices (such as before bed), and which platforms are appropriate.
Encourage substitute pursuits: Urge teenagers to engage in social activities, hobbies, and interests outside of the Internet.
Engage teens in mindful play by teaching them how to assess internet material critically, spot fabricated images, and steer clear of comparison traps.
Set a good example for others by using technology sensibly as an adult by balancing your screen time and using the internet with awareness.
Conclusion:
The study that shows how common social media addiction is among teenagers in Britain should act as a wake-up call to society. Creating methods that work to guarantee teens and social media have a healthier connection requires an understanding of the complexities of this issue, its effects on mental health, and the roles of numerous stakeholders.