The Hidden Health Crisis of Social Media Addiction
By Hilton Hudson II,MD. CEO of HPC International Inc.
The Hidden Health Crisis of Social Media Addiction
What started as a way to connect has spiraled into a global health concern, with social media addiction now affecting hundreds of millions and leaving a growing impact on mental and behavioral health.
An estimated 210 million people worldwide have an addiction to social media and the internet, according to research from the University of Michigan. Studies have long linked this type of compulsive use to narcissistic traits and low self-esteem, revealing a pattern of seeking external validation while avoiding negative self-perception.
Clinicians are now viewing social media addiction through the same clinical lens as substance abuse and gambling disorders, prompting calls for its inclusion in diagnostic frameworks like the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM). Healthcare systems increasingly recognize the mental and behavioral health implications of digital overuse, particularly among adolescents and young adults.
Treatments for Social Media Addiction
Although it’s a relatively new category of addiction, social media has been around long enough for some promising treatment options to emerge. Here are three that healthcare professionals are considering:
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy: CBT helps people recognize and change negative thought patterns and behaviors around social media use. It addresses the underlying triggers, such as boredom, anxiety, etc., that drive compulsive use. Healthcare providers are integrating CBT into outpatient and telehealth behavioral programs, making it more accessible to individuals struggling with digital dependency.
- Digital Detox and Screen Time Management: These methods encourage scheduled breaks or temporary abstinence from social media to reset habits. Doing this can create awareness of overuse and help develop healthier, intentional use patterns. Pediatricians and primary care physicians are increasingly advising screen-time assessments as part of routine wellness visits, especially for children and teens, to proactively address the long-term health consequences of chronic overuse.
- Mindfulness and Meditation: Often used in treatment settings with various clinical and cognitive conditions, mindfulness and meditation increase self-awareness and self-regulation by training the mind to stay present. They can reduce compulsive checking and promote emotional resilience against triggers, such as seeking validation or comparison. Some hospitals and behavioral health centers have added mindfulness-based interventions to their integrative care offerings, recognizing their effectiveness in managing anxiety and impulse-control disorders related to digital overexposure.
In the non-clinical arena, 12-step support groups for social media addicts have emerged, such as Internet and Technology Addicts Anonymous. All of these are necessary steps to combat a growing mental health concern among the younger generations.
Ultimately, addressing social media addiction requires a multi-disciplinary approach — one that brings together mental health professionals, primary care providers, and public health advocates to create awareness, prevention, and treatment pathways.
