Social media has become intertwined in teenagers' lives. Most teens own smartphones that have unlimited availability to the internet and social media apps. Social media allows a person to accept requests from followers or friends, which provides access to the person's profile, photos, and posts. For most people, this is a convenient way to keep in touch with family and friends. However, teens who use social media are susceptible to social media addiction. When teens have an addiction to social media, their homework, real-life social interactions, and self-esteem can suffer. Social media addiction is a behavioral disorder that teens develop that causes them to be preoccupied and obsessed with social media. The teen addicted to social media is distracted from everyday life and real-life relationships with family and friends. This can become a mental health issue for your son. Contact our Stonewater Adolescent Recovery Center team to learn more about our
mental health treatment programs if you believe your son might have a social media addiction. Call us at
662.373.2828.
Signs of Social Media Addiction
Parents can look for a few signs if they think their teen might have an addiction to social media. A significant warning sign is that your teen always feels the need to constantly be online. Secondly, if he experiences anxiety or withdrawal symptoms when not on social media. Another sign of social media addiction is if your teen uses social media to escape reality or numb their emotions. An addicted teen often foregoes real-life social interactions to spend more time on social media. If your son is skipping out on hanging out with friends or family to stay home and be on his phone, this is a cause for concern. He might also isolate himself from the people and activities he used to enjoy to be instead online. Your teen's mental health can be impacted by social media addiction. If he experiences anxiety, depression, or low self-esteem, these could be signs that he is addicted. These symptoms are often a result of comparing himself to others on social media and feeling like he doesn't measure up.
The Negative Effects of Teenagers and Social Media Use
Social media addiction can impact your teen son's current life and his future. His mental health, social life, and even his schooling can suffer because of the addiction. Some other adverse effects of teens addicted to social media include:
- Easy access to pornography
- Constantly distracted or interrupted
- Popularity contests based on how many "likes" a person gets
- Unrealistic relationships
- Bullying that leads to low self-esteem, anxiety, or depression
- Sending and receiving nude selfies
- Pressure to conformability to cope with life's problems
Treatment for addictions can be tailored to a person's specific needs. Social media addiction can harm your teen's mental health and development. If your teen has a social media addiction, get help from an addiction specialist who can help determine the best treatment for him.
Teenagers and Social Media Dangers
Some teens may see social media as harmless. Still, it could eventually play a much more significant role in your son's life than you ever anticipated. It's essential to be aware of social media's dangers and have an open dialogue with your son about it. Social media addiction in teens has been linked to depression, anxiety, poor body image, and substance abuse. Teens can become more susceptible to social media addiction because of the constant pressure to conform and fit in with their peers. The need for validation and approval online can quickly become an addiction. If you're concerned about your teen's social media use, contact a mental health professional who can help.
Get Help at Stonewater Adolescent Recovery Center for Social Media Addiction
Social media can quickly become a problem for your teen if not addressed immediately. Our Stonewater Adolescent Recovery Center team can help your teen work through his social media addiction and develop healthy coping mechanisms. We offer a variety of programs and services to meet the needs of each teen. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help your son heal from social media addiction. Call us at
662.373.2828.