Social media use is rampant but is social media addiction real? Social media apps and smartphones profoundly affect how teenagers connect to their peers and the world. As a result, behavioral health professionals see growing numbers of adolescents needing teen social media addiction treatment to overcome an unhealthy dependency on smartphone apps. Foothills at Red Oak Recovery is a teen treatment center that provides comprehensive support for teenagers dealing with addiction. Call 866.300.5275 today to learn about social media abuse treatment at Foothills at Red Oak Recovery.
Is Social Media Addiction Really an Addiction?
Is social media addiction real? It’s not uncommon for parents to raise an eyebrow at the term “social media addiction.” Some parents think that a teen who spends too much time on social media just needs to learn some discipline, improve their attitude, or respect boundaries set by parents.
However, it’s just not that simple. For parents asking, “Is social media addiction real?” the answer is yes.
Social media addiction is a process addiction, meaning the person becomes addicted to a certain action. Gambling is a well-known process addiction—and most people have heard of someone who has gambled away their home or life savings because they just couldn’t stop.
Just like gambling, social media use can turn into a real addiction.
Why Growing Numbers of Teens Are Becoming Addicted to Social Media
It’s understandable for parents to initially doubt that social media can become the center of addiction in the same way that drugs and alcohol can. However, social media can have the same impact on a teen’s brain chemistry as hard drugs.
It helps to understand that social media has only been around for a few decades, and only in the past ten years or so has it become a pervasive part of everyday life.
Today’s teens are the first generation to grow up completely surrounded by technology like smartphones and social media apps. Unfortunately, social media often plays a much greater role in a teen’s self-esteem and sense of belonging than parents might realize.
Signs of Teen Social Media Addiction
Most teens are attached to their phones, making it hard for parents to recognize when a teen’s relationship with social media has reached a level that can be considered an addiction.
Some of the most common signs of teen social media addiction include the following:
- They spend unhealthy amounts of time on social media
- Their happiness and self-esteem are connected to social media likes
- They use social media at all times, like while eating and in the restroom
- Social media use has an impact on sleep or academics
- They experience anxiety when separated from their phone
- They have extreme emotional reactions when their phone is taken away
- Social media has caused changes in personality, health, and happiness
Ultimately, every teen—and family—is different. You know your teen best. If you’re struggling to help a teen establish healthy social media use, it’s a sign that they may need the support of a teen addiction treatment program.
Looking for Teen Social Media Abuse Treatment? Foothills at Red Oak Recovery Can Help
Teen social media addiction doesn’t develop overnight. Parents often watch in concern as their teen spends increasing amounts of time scrolling, posting, and hoping for likes. A teen addicted to social media often exhibits emotional changes. Trying to help set healthy boundaries is often met with anger, outbursts, and defiance.
Foothills at Red Oak Recovery offers a solution to help teens and parents. Our experienced behavioral health professionals create individual treatment plans designed to help teens understand why social media addiction occurs and how to overcome it.
When teens get professional help for social media addiction, they begin to heal, and the whole family’s well-being is restored. Contact us at 866.300.5275 today to learn more about teen addiction treatment at Foothills at Red Oak Recovery.
