For parents today, it can seem like social media has taken over their child’s life. While teens might think their parents are exaggerating, studies show social media is increasingly addictive, especially among teenagers. Constant use of apps and websites may not seem like an addiction. However, social media affects a person’s ability to engage with the world around them, participate in school, and take care of their health. Therefore, it can easily escalate and become nearly as dangerous as other dependent behaviors or substances. Today, there are treatment programs specially designed for social media dependency.
If your teen is struggling with social media dependency or you believe social media use is negatively affecting their health, call Foothills at Red Oak Recovery. Our programs for adolescent boys treat co-occurring disorders to help your child regain a healthy, balanced life. Call 866.300.5275 or visit us online to learn more.
What Is Social Media Dependency?
Social media dependency is a process addiction. This type of addiction occurs when a person repeatedly engages in a behavior despite its negative effects on their wellbeing. Process addictions are compulsive, and those living with social media addiction may have a hard time admitting their struggling. Signs and symptoms of social media dependency include:
- Excessive use of social media
- Low self-esteem
- Self-isolation
- Depression
- FOMO, also known as fear of missing out
- Neglecting personal relationships
- Lower grades
- Disturbed sleep
- Anxiety
- Trouble empathizing with others
- Changes in personal care routines
Social media dependency is increasingly common. Companies design algorithms that keep users engaged no matter how using social media may negatively affect their life. For many teenagers, social media can cause feelings of worthlessness. Constantly comparing themselves to people they may or may not know in real life can be detrimental for teens. It can cause them to dissociate from the world around them and even lead to self-harm.
Treating Social Media Dependency
Treating social media dependency at home can be difficult. Creating parameters around screen time, app use, and other behavior related to social media can weigh on the relationship between parents and teenagers. If your teen is struggling with social media addiction, know you are not alone. Social media dependency treatment programs can help both teens and parents create boundaries and gain perspective.
Therapy programs like cognitive-behavioral therapy can help those struggling with social media dependency gradually change their behavior. Unlike other dependencies, stopping social media use without warning may not cause a physical withdrawal. However, without therapeutic support, it can lead to other process addictions. Family, group, and specialized therapies can help teens understand social media’s effects on their lives. These types of therapies can also help teens engage with the outside world, rebuild face-to-face social skills and focus on the world in front of them.
Many people may not take social media dependency seriously. It’s important to understand that, like any process addiction, there are tools and support systems to help your teen disengage with the digital world. They can then rebuild self-worth and home, school, and social life.
Treat Social Media Dependency at Foothills at Red Oak Recovery
Unfortunately, social media dependency is increasingly common among teenagers. As a relatively new type of process addiction, it can be challenging for parents to understand their child’s social media use as an addiction. If your teenager is struggling with the above symptoms and overly focused on their digital lives, Foothills at Red Oak Recovery can help. We specialize in helping adolescent boys to recover from co-occurring conditions and substance abuse. Our holistic approach includes individual, family, and equine therapy. Call us 866.300.5275 today to enroll your son in social media addiction treatment at Foothills.
