Social media consumption has been associated with a host of negative side effects, especially for teenagers. But how much is too much social media? If you think your teenager is struggling with a social media addiction, reach out to Foothills at Red Oak Recovery’s teen social media addiction treatment center by calling 866.300.5275.

Defining Social Media Addiction

Social media addiction falls under a category of compulsive behaviors known as “process addictions.” These addictions share a number of common properties with substance use disorders, such as:

• Engaging in the behavior more than intended, or for longer than intended
• Unwanted cravings for the behavior
• Withdrawal symptoms if the behavior suddenly stops
• Unsuccessful attempts to cut down or stop the behavior
• Continuing a harmful behavior despite personal or social consequences

Social media addiction can have a range of negative side effects. And teenagers who struggle will often need professional social media addiction treatment in order to recover.

How Much Is Too Much Social Media?

Determining how much is too much is less about the time that your teenager spends on social media and more about how it affects their everyday lives.

Some teens can spend just an hour or two on social media platforms and still be classified as having a process addiction, while others can spend several hours a day and not meet the criteria for addiction.

The main factor to consider when determining whether your teen has an addiction is the effect it has on the rest of their lives. Ask yourself:

• Does my teen’s social media use cause them to feel bad about themselves?
• Does my teen’s social media use get in the way of their schoolwork?
• Does my teen neglect their physical and mental health for social media?
• Does my teen prioritize social media over friendships or other important hobbies?
• Does my teen continue to use social media despite recognizing it as a problem?
• Has my teen’s social media use caused them to develop another mental health concern, such as depression or anxiety?

If you’ve answered yes to any of these questions, it’s likely that your teen has developed a social media addiction.

Treating Social Media Addiction

Treating a process addiction such as social media addiction may often include professional intervention. Many teenagers with social media addictions are unable to stop on their own and require the targeted treatments and interventions offered at an addiction treatment center to recover.

Typically, treatment includes a combination of multiple forms of talk therapy. This could include individual therapy, where your teen works with a therapist one-on-one, group therapy, where they meet with peers who share a similar problem, and family therapy, where the entire family unit comes together to learn the skills of recovery.

Together, these treatments can teach teens how to stop using social media compulsively, deal with any underlying mental health concerns, and build stronger and healthier lives in recovery. They help teens to learn healthy coping mechanisms, overcome their cravings, and manage their negative thoughts and emotions.

Overcoming a process addiction isn’t easy, but it is possible, and targeted treatment can help.

Find Social Media Addiction Treatment with Foothills at Red Oak Recovery

We know how difficult a process addiction can be, both for the person suffering and the family who cares about them. But your teenager can recover, provided you take the steps toward beginning treatment.

Our treatment facility for adolescent boys combines several evidence-based strategies to help teenagers overcome social media addiction and build healthier and more productive lives in recovery.

If your teenage boy is struggling with a social media addiction, reach out to the experts with Foothills at Red Oak Recovery by calling 866.300.5275 today.