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January 15th, 2025

Social Media Addiction | Signs, Symptoms and Effects

Social media has woven itself into the fabric of daily life for millions across the UK. On average, people spend over two hours a day scrolling, liking, and sharing, and this habit is only growing. While social media can be a fun way to stay connected, it can also be a slippery slope to addiction. Social media addiction affects around 210 million people globally so understanding the risks is more important than ever. If your feed has taken over your life, we can help you overcome social media addiction and take charge of your screen time.

What is social media addiction?

Social media addiction is a behavioural addiction that can make it impossible to stop using social media despite it creating obvious problems. Because social media is still relatively new, social media addiction hasn’t been studied as much as other conditions and isn’t officially listed in the DSM-V (the guide that professionals use to diagnose mental health conditions).

What we do know, however, is that social media addiction mirrors substance use disorders in some unsettling ways, causing a whole host of issues to your health and personal life. Unfortunately, one of the biggest problems is that social media is everywhere and has become an almost essential part of daily life. This can make disconnecting very difficult if you don’t have professional social media addiction help.

Social media addiction UK

While it is hard to calculate social media addiction UK numbers accurately, we know that there are around 56.2 million social media users nationwide. While not all of these people will become addicted, one study has found that 48% of teenage users think they believe they have a social media addiction. This is a frighteningly high proportion that requires more research and professional support for those affected.

What are the signs of social media addiction?

Recognising social media addiction symptoms isn’t always easy, especially because these days, it seems like we are all glued to our phones. If you feel like your screen time is starting to take over, here are some signs of social media addiction to watch out for:

Opening social media to kill five minutes and spending hours on there instead.
Feeling grumpy, anxious or restless when you can’t get on social media.
Feeling excited when you get a notification but sad or frustrated when your posts don’t get much attention.
Refreshing your page over and over to see new uploads and content.
Compulsively checking for updates, likes or messages.
Using social media as a refuge from stress or to give you a boost when you are feeling down.
Getting into arguments with concerned friends and family over your social media use.
Social media is getting in the way of work, school or quality time with your loved ones.
Making excuses or denying there is a problem to others or yourself.

If these social media addiction symptoms sound like your experiences, you may need professional social media addiction treatment.

What causes social media addiction?

Social media addiction doesn’t happen by accident – it is a complex combination of technological design and human psychology. Here is what drives the cycle:

The dopamine loop

Each like, comment or share sets off a mini-celebration in your brain, releasing dopamine – the same “feel-good” chemical linked to other addictions. This feels great in the moment but quickly fades leaving you chasing the next hit.

The FOMO trap

Seeing friends or even influencers or other strangers living their “best lives” can make you feel like you are somehow inadequate and need to keep up. This fear of being left out keeps you glued to your feed, ensuring you don’t miss a single update.

Instant rewards

In a world where patience is increasingly rare, social media delivers quick hits of satisfaction. This instant feedback loop from receiving a like, DM or comment can quickly become habit-forming.

Craving validation

Positive comments and approval from your online community can boost your self-esteem and keep you coming back for more. This can be particularly addictive if you are low in confidence or don’t have many friends.

A digital escape

When life feels overwhelming, social media can feel like a comforting distraction. However, using social media as a coping mechanism for stress, depression, or anxiety can quickly spiral into overuse.

Algorithm addiction

Platforms like Instagram and TikTok are designed to know you better than you know yourself. Their algorithms serve up personalised content that keeps you logged on, making it harder and harder to disconnect.

What are the dangers of social media addiction?

Mental health issues

When you are constantly using social media, it can trap you in a cycle of comparison with friends, celebrities and influencers. Seeing their seemingly perfect lives can make you feel depressed and insecure which can be made worse if your posts don’t get the reaction you hoped for.

Academic and work challenges

Young people tend to use social media the most but endless scrolling can be a massive distraction. If you are spending hours online instead of studying, it can affect your grades and greatly impact your future. For those who are working, social media addiction can affect job performance and lead to missed opportunities and the risk of being fired.

Relationship strain

Real-life bonds suffer when social media dominates your attention. Over time, you may find yourself feeling isolated from the people who care about you most, leaving you to rely more and more on online relationships.

Sleep disruption

Notifications at 2 a.m. and late-night TikTok binges can rob you of quality sleep, leaving you exhausted, stressed and mentally foggy.

Financial pitfalls

Chasing influencer dreams or perfecting an online image can empty your bank account faster than you can imagine.

Cyberbullying

Hurtful comments and online harassment can leave emotional scars, sometimes leading to depression, self-harm or worse.

What does social media addiction treatment involve?

Recovery Lighthouse’s social media addiction treatment is designed to reset your life and your relationships with social media. This begins with a digital detox to give your mind and emotions the needed breathing room. It’s your chance to step back, take a deep breath and rediscover what life feels like without the constant buzz of your phone.
Then, it’s time to roll up your sleeves with rehab, where your therapists and counsellors uncover what is fueling your social media addiction. Is it the need to escape, a craving for validation or a coping mechanism for anxiety or loneliness? With professional guidance, you will tackle these challenges head-on so you can live without relying on a digital safety net.

When it’s time to return to the world, we will continue to support you as you make that tricky transition. With free weekly group therapy sessions for a year and lifelong membership to our Alumni Network, you will have all the social media addiction resources you need to stay the course.

Begin social media addiction treatment today

Are you tired of living life through a screen? At Recovery Lighthouse, we will help you break the grip of social media and rediscover what truly matters. Our social media addiction treatment programme will give you the tools to unplug and reconnect – with yourself, your loved ones and the world around you. Don’t let another day slip by – contact us today.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Bergen Social Media Addiction Scale?

The Bergen Social Media Addiction Scale (BSMAS) is a handy tool used to figure out if someone’s social media habits might be heading into addiction territory. It is basically a set of questions that look at how much time you spend online, how it affects your mood and whether it’s interfering with your life. Answering honestly can help you spot if your scrolling has gone from fun to problematic so you can get the social media addiction help you need.

Am I able to use social media again after undergoing social media addiction treatment?

It is often possible to use social media again but you need to make sure you have dealt with the underlying issues first. After treatment, you will hopefully have the tools to use social media in a healthier, more mindful way so it doesn’t take over your life.

How to help someone with a social media addiction?

The best way to help is to be supportive, not judgmental. Start by talking openly about your concerns and encouraging them to reflect on how social media is impacting their life. Suggest small changes, like setting screen time limits or having device-free meals. If the problem feels too big to handle alone, gently guide them toward professional social media addiction help.

(Click here to see works cited)

UK Rehab. “Social-Media Addiction | Causes, Symptoms and Diagnosis.” UK Rehab, https://www.uk-rehab.com/behavioural-addiction/social-media/. Accessed 6 December 2024.
UK Rehab. “Behavioural Addiction | Causes, Symptoms and Diagnosis.” UK Rehab, https://www.uk-rehab.com/behavioural-addiction/. Accessed 6 December 2024.
Dixon, Stacy Jo. “Social media penetration UK 2024.” Statista, 25 March 2024, https://www.statista.com/statistics/507405/uk-active-social-media-and-mobile-social-media-users/. Accessed 6 December 2024.
Firth, Joseph et al. “The “online brain”: how the Internet may be changing our cognition.” World psychiatry : official journal of the World Psychiatric Association (WPA) vol. 18,2 (2019): 119-129. doi:10.1002/wps.20617. Accessed 6 December 2024.
Royal Society for Public Health. “#StatusOfMind: Social media and young people’s mental health and wellbeing.” Royal Society for Public Health, https://www.rsph.org.uk/static/uploaded/d125b27c-0b62-41c5-a2c0155a8887cd01.pdf. Accessed 6 December 2024.