Social media addiction, also known as social network site (SNS) addiction “can be defined as being overly concerned about SNSs, driven by a strong motivation to log on to or use SNSs, and to devote so much time and effort to SNSs that it impairs other social activities, studies/job, interpersonal relationships, and/or psychological health and wellbeing” (Andreassen & Pallesen, 2014, p. 4054).
Features may include:
- Compulsive engagement in social media with mental obsession
- Urges or craving for social media use
- Need to engage in social media more to achieve the desired effect
- Engages in social media when feeling distressed and/or to avoid feelings (e.g., sad, anxious, jealous)
- Continuing social media despite negative consequences (e.g., health, work, or relationship issues)
- Loss of control over social media use with failed attempts to cut back or stop use
- Withdrawal symptoms (e.g., restlessness, irritability, or anger) when unable to engage in social media.
Diagnostic
Considerations:
Clinicians treat people who describe their experience as “social media addiction,” though it is not yet included in the national and international diagnostic manuals. When the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) was last revised, there was not sufficient research to include the subcategory of social media addiction (American Psychiatric Association, 2013), though lay persons use these terms, and the afflicted are seen by clinicians. It is not unusual that client issues and clinical work precede research. Time lags in research are estimated to be between 15-20 years (Slote Morris, Wooding, & Grant, 2011). Knowledge will continue to evolve through outcomes of research.
Social media addiction is not included in the International Classification of Diseases, 11th Revision (ICD-11; World Health Organization, 2018).
Social media addiction often co-occurs with adjustment disorders, depression, anxiety including social anxiety, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, autism spectrum disorder, other behavioral addictions such as online gaming, cybersex or other disruptive, impulse-control, and conduct disorders. When applicable, counselors often diagnose these other disorders.
Treatment:
Treatment for social media addiction varies dependent on factors including co-occurring disorders. Common psychotherapeutic approaches support identity exploration, relationships, social skill and emotion regulation enhancement, coping, calming, and communication skills, appropriate responses to physical and psychological cues such as triggers for obsessive/compulsive social media use, and a new experience with social media.
References:
American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (5th ed.). Author.
Andreassen, C.S. & Pallesen, S. (2014). Social network site addiction - An overview. Current Pharmaceutical Design, 20(25), 4053–4061. https://doi.org/10.2174/13816128113199990616
Slote Morris, Z., Wooding, S., & Grant, J. (2011). The answer is 17 years, what is the question: Understanding time lags in translational research. Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine, 104, 510–520. https://doi.org/10.1258/jrsm.2...
World Health Organization. (2019). International statistical classification of diseases and related health problems (11th ed.). https://icd.who.int/