Neurobiological and psychosocial correlates of problematic social media use: an addiction framework

Understanding the Health and Well-Being of Early Adolescents Throughout the World: Findings From the 2017–2018 Survey of Health Behavior in School-Aged Children

BackgroundSexual and gender minority (SGM) individuals experience minority stress, especially when they lack social support. SGM young adults may turn to social media in search of a supportive community; however, social media use can become problematic when it interferes with functioning. Problematic social media use may be associated with experiences of minority stress among SGM young adults.ObjectiveThe objective of this study is to examine the associations among social media use, SGM-related internalized stigma, emotional social support, and depressive symptoms in SGM young adults.MethodsParticipants were SGM young adults who were regular (≥4 days per week) social media users (N=302) and had enrolled in Facebook smoking cessation interventions. As part of a baseline assessment, participants self-reported problematic social media use (characterized by salience, tolerance, and withdrawal-like experiences; adapted from the Facebook Addiction Scale), hours of social media use per week, internalized SGM stigma, perceived emotional social support, and depressive symptoms. Pearson correlations tested bivariate associations among problematic social media use, hours of social media use, internalized SGM stigma, perceived emotional social support, and depressive symptoms. Multiple linear regression examined the associations between the aforementioned variables and problematic social media use and was adjusted for gender identity.ResultsA total of 302 SGM young adults were included in the analyses (assigned female at birth: 218/302, 72.2%; non-Hispanic White: 188/302, 62.3%; age: mean 21.9 years, SD 2.2 years). The sexual identity composition of the sample was 59.3% (179/302) bisexual and/or pansexual, 17.2% (52/302) gay, 16.9% (51/302) lesbian, and 6.6% (20/302) other. The gender identity composition of the sample was 61.3% (185/302) cisgender; 24.2% (73/302) genderqueer, fluid, nonbinary, or other; and 14.6% (44/302) transgender. Problematic social media use averaged 2.53 (SD 0.94) on a 5-point scale, with a median of 17 hours of social media use per week (approximately 2.5 h per day). Participants with greater problematic social media use had greater internalized SGM stigma (r=0.22; P<.001) and depressive symptoms (r=0.22; P<.001) and lower perceived emotional social support (r=−0.15; P=.007). Greater internalized SGM stigma remained was significantly associated with greater problematic social media use after accounting for the time spent on social media and other correlates (P<.001). In addition, participants with greater depressive symptoms had marginally greater problematic social media use (P=.05). In sum, signs of problematic social media use were more likely to occur among SGM young adults who had internalized SGM stigma and depressive symptoms.ConclusionsTaken together, problematic social media use among SGM young adults was associated with negative psychological experiences, including internalized stigma, low social support, and depressive symptoms. SGM young adults experiencing minority stress may be at risk for problematic social media use.

Although previous meta-analyses were conducted to quantitatively synthesize the relation between problematic social media (SM) use and mental health, they focused on Facebook addiction. The purpose of this meta-analysis is to examine this relation by extending the research scope via the inclusion of studies examining problematic use of all platforms. One hundred and thirty-three independent samples (N =244,676) were identified. As expected, the mean correlations between problematic SM use and well-being are negative, while those between problematic SM use and distress are positive. Life satisfaction and self-esteem are commonly used to represent well-being, while depression and loneliness are usually used to indicate distress. The mean correlations of problematic SM use with life satisfaction and self-esteem are small, whereas those of problematic SM use with depression and loneliness are moderate. The moderating effects of publication status, instruments, platforms and mean age are not significant. The magnitude of the correlations between problematic SM use and mental health indicators can generalize across most moderator conditions.

This study examined the association between adolescents' peer-reported social adjustment and their social media use (SMU) patterns. Participants were 716 Dutch adolescents ( M age = 13.2 years, 48.3 % girls). Latent profile analysis of self-reported time spent on SMU, intensity of online peer communication, and problematic SMU yielded four distinct SMU patterns: problematic heavy use ( n = 129), non-problematic heavy use ( n = 262), moderate use ( n = 197), and low use ( n = 128). Adolescents' social status and behaviors, measured using peer nominations, were associated with the SMU patterns. Withdrawn, unpopular, or more prosocial adolescents were less likely to engage in SMU overall. Popular or proactive aggressive adolescents were more likely to show non-problematic heavy SMU, while disliked, reactively aggressive, or less prosocial adolescents showed some risk for problematic heavy SMU. The findings suggest that heavy and problematic SMU do not always overlap in adolescence; while problematic SMU typically involves heavy use, heavy SMU is not necessarily problematic. Further, adolescents’ risk for problematic SMU varies between types of social status (e.g., likeability versus popularity) and behaviors (e.g., proactive versus reactive aggression). Adolescents who face certain social problems, such as being disliked by peers, may be more susceptible to problematic SMU. • Heavy social media use (SMU) in adolescence is not necessarily problematic. • Peer-reported status and behaviors are differentially linked to youth SMU patterns. • Popular or proactively aggressive youth tend to engage in non-problematic heavy SMU. • Unpopular, withdrawn, or prosocial youth tend to engage in low SMU. • Youth with certain social problems (e.g. being disliked) show risk for problematic SMU.

One of the major challenges parents face today is managing the pervasiveness of social media in adolescents’ life. Yet, there is little empirical insight into how parents can effectively regulate their adolescents’ social media use to prevent or reduce problematic, addictive-like usage. Therefore, this dissertation aimed to deepen our understanding of the role of parents in the development of adolescents’ problematic social media use. It presents five empirical studies involving Dutch adolescents aged 8-18 years and their parents, addressing three key research objectives: (1) comparing self- and parent-reports of adolescents’ problematic social media use, (2) identifying key family factors that serve as important potential risk and protective factors for adolescents’ problematic social media use, and (3) investigating the effects of parental restrictive mediation (i.e. limiting internet use) on adolescents’ problematic social media use in greater detail using longitudinal data. First, findings revealed notable discrepancies between self- and parent-reports of adolescents’ problematic social media use using the Social Media Disorder scale. Less observable symptoms tended to go unreported by parents. Furthermore, parent-reports showed no associations with mental wellbeing indicators of adolescents. Therefore, parents’ role in assessing adolescents’ problematic social media use should be approached with caution. Second, adolescents who perceived a more positive parenting style were at lower risk of at-risk/problematic social media use, regardless of the internet-specific parenting they received or the intensity of their parents’ media use. Besides, limiting adolescents’ internet use seemed more effective when they perceived their parents as being warm and autonomy-supporting. Thus, a positive parenting style seems to play an important role in adolescents’ problematic social media use. Third, adolescents’ age moderated the effect of parental internet-specific rules on the onset of at-risk/problematic social media use. Adolescents younger than 12.3 years were less likely to develop at-risk/problematic social media use during the course of the study when they reported more strict parental rules regarding internet use at the start of the study. However, for adolescents older than 15.7 years we found the opposite effect. These findings indicate that parents should introduce internet-specific rules at an early stage and gradually loosen these rules as adolescents grow older. These findings provide important preliminary implications for researchers, health care professionals, parents and the government. Yet, replications in more diverse samples and further research into e.g., individual differences are needed to further enhance the complex relations between parenting and adolescents’ problematic social media use.

BackgroundBullying, problematic internet gaming, and problematic social media use are concerning phenomena, especially among youth. However, studies including all three of them are scarce. Therefore, this study investigated the associations between bullying victimization and the two internet-related outcomes. Furthermore, differences between problematic internet gaming and problematic social media use regarding the individual and moderating effects of gender, age, educational background and mental health problems were examined.MethodsAdolescents (N = 6,735; 48.85% females) answered a school-based survey on bullying, problematic internet gaming, problematic social media use and mental health problems. The age ranged from grade 5 with M = 10.77 years (SD = 0.68) to grade 9 with M = 14.75 years (SD = 0.87) and overall M = 12.73 years (SD = 1.60). A-level school students represented higher educational background (39.52%) while B-level school students represented lower educational background (60.48%). Multilevel modelling was used to examine the associations of bullying victimization with problematic internet gaming and problematic social media use as well as the influences of gender, school grade as a correlate of age, school type and mental health problems.ResultsVictims of bullying showed higher odds for problematic internet gaming and problematic social media use. Overall, boys showed higher levels of problematic internet gaming, whereas girls showed higher levels of problematic social media use. Younger adolescents reported higher odds for problematic internet gaming, while no age effect was found for problematic social media use. Students with lower educational background and those with more mental health problems reported more problematic social media use than problematic internet gaming. Mental health problems moderated the association of bullying victimization with problematic internet gaming and problematic social media use, with stronger relations for students with less mental health problems. Furthermore, gender was a significant moderator for problematic social media use but not for problematic internet gaming, with a stronger association for boys.ConclusionsBullying victimization is strongly related to different types of problematic internet use. As differences in the impact on problematic internet gaming and problematic social media use can be identified, prevention should also consider gender, age, educational background and mental health problems.Trial registration DRKS00028183.Supplementary InformationThe online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13034-025-01008-x.

Problematic patterns of social media use increase with spontaneous cortical activity and transdiagnostic mental health symptoms in youth.

Problematic social media use and social support received in real-life versus on social media: Associations with depression, anxiety and social isolation

PurposeSocial media has become increasingly part of our everyday lives and is influential in shaping the habits, sociability, and mental health of individuals, particularly among students. This study aimed to examine the relationship between changes over time in problematic social media use and mental health outcomes in students. We also investigated whether resilience and loneliness moderated the relationship between social media use and mental health.Patients and MethodsA total of 103 participants completed a baseline virtual study visit, and 78 participants completed a follow-up visit, 4-weeks later. Participants completed a comprehensive set of questionnaires measuring symptoms of depression and anxiety, perceived stress, loneliness, and resilience.ResultsOur results showed that problematic social media use at baseline was significantly negatively correlated with resilience and positively correlated with all other mental health outcomes. Furthermore, increases in problematic social media use were significantly associated with increased depressive symptoms and loneliness between visits. Resilience significantly moderated the relationship between increased problematic social media use and heightened perceived stress. Poor mental health at baseline did not predict increased problematic social media use over time. Contrarily to problematic use, frequency of social media use was not significantly correlated with any mental health measures at baseline.ConclusionThis study offers a longitudinal perspective, providing valuable insights into the potential protective role of resilience against the detrimental mental health effects seen with increases in problematic social media use.

BackgroundIn the digital age, the relationship between social media use and mental health has gained significant attention. Problematic social media use can negatively affect mental health, while mental health literacy plays a crucial role in mitigating these effects.ObjectiveThis study aimed to explore the relationships between problematic social media use, mental health literacy, and their interaction with depression among nursing students.MethodsA convenience sample of 628 nursing students from a university was selected. Participants completed questionnaires assessing social media use, mental health literacy, and depressive symptoms. The tools used included the PHQ-9, the Youth Mental Health Literacy Scale, and the Problematic Use of Mobile Social Media Scale. Multiple logistic regression was performed to examine associations.ResultsThe average score for problematic social media use was 56.29 ± 16.22, with 159 students (24.84%) exhibiting problematic behaviors. The average depression score was 5.19 ± 5.32, with 296 students (46.25%) showing depressive symptoms. The average mental health literacy score was 82.46 ± 13.24, with 191 students (29.84%) demonstrating adequate literacy. Logistic regression analysis revealed that both problematic social media use and low mental health literacy were risk factors for depression, with additive and multiplicative interactions. Nursing students with both problematic social media use and low mental health literacy had the highest depression detection rate of 77.2% (88/114), with an odds ratio (OR) of 6.464.ConclusionsDepression is prevalent among nursing students. Problematic social media use and low mental health literacy are significant risk factors for depression, and their interaction significantly increases the risk. Reducing problematic social media use and improving mental health literacy can help prevent depression and other negative emotional states among nursing students.

BackgroundTo examine the associations of problematic and excessive social media use (SMU) with dietary behaviours of adolescents.MethodsWe analysed the 2017/2018 Health Behaviour in School-aged Children survey data, involving 222,865 adolescents (51.8% girls) from 41 countries. A dietary intake score was derived using consumption of fruits, vegetables, sweets, and sugary soft-drinks. Breakfast intake was categorised as daily or non-daily. Excessive SMU assessed how often respondents had online contact through social media, and problematic SMU was assessed through symptoms of addiction.ResultsRegression analyses showed that adolescents reporting problematic SMU had 54% lower odds in boys (OR 0.46; 95% CI 0.42–0.51) and 64% lower odds in girls (OR 0.36; 0.33–0.40) of reporting good dietary intake compared with poor intake. Excessive SMU was also associated with lower odds of reporting good dietary intake. Problematic SMU associated inversely with daily fruit and vegetable intake, while excessive SMU was positively associated with daily fruit and vegetable intake across sex. Both types of SMU were linked to increased intake of sweets and sugary drinks and decreased breakfast consumption.ConclusionsProblematic SMU was associated with poor dietary habits, while excessive SMU showed mixed findings. Prospective research is warranted to understand the causal mechanisms.ImpactProblematic and excessive social media use (SMU) was associated with poor dietary habits with problematic SMU being more detrimental than excessive SMU.This research contributes to the literature by demonstrating that problematic and excessive SMU correlate differently with adolescent dietary habits, highlighting the need for targeted approaches to promote healthier eating.Adolescents should be encouraged to use social media responsibly, while social media companies should promote local fresh food options to enhance healthy dietary habits.

Very rapid development in information technology, one of which lies in social networking media. The use of social media continued to increase from 2013 (42%) to 2015 (47%). The extensive use of social media causes adverse effects such as deceptive behavior (in social media), constant urge to go online, problematic social media use, and checking social media (fear of missing out). This study examines how Big-Five personality affects deceptive behavior, FoMO, and problematic social media use. The sampling technique used was convenience sampling, which 121 students in DKI Jakarta selected. Multiple linear regression and multivariate multiple regression were used to examine the data. As a result, there is a strong correlation between the Big-Five personality in predicting FoMO, deceptive behavior, and problematic social media use. This finding has implications for universities, especially for lecturers with a background in psychology, to direct and provide knowledge to students to avoid deceptive behavior, problematic social media use, and fear of missing out.

ABSTRACTBackgroundSocial media has become integral to daily life, but problematic social media use (PSMU) is an emerging public health concern. Few studies have specifically examined PSMU among university admission test‐takers. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence and predictors of PSMU, the mediating role of social media use duration and the moderating effect of perceived social support on the relationship between psychological distress and PSMU among university entrance test‐takers in Bangladesh.MethodA cross‐sectional study was conducted in February 2025, involving 1139 students preparing for university admission tests. Data on sociodemographic, admission‐related factors, mental health symptoms, perceived stress, social support, and PSMU were collected. Data analysis involved Chi‐square tests, logistic regression, and structural equation modeling (SEM) using IBM SPSS 26 and R (lavaan package).ResultsThe prevalence of PSMU was 21.2%. Logistic regression analysis revealed that social media use duration, cigarette smoking, fracture in body parts, depression (OR = 1.60, 95% CI = 1.10–2.34), and high stress (OR = 1.65, 95% CI = 1.03–2.64) had significantly increased odds of developing PSMU. Participants with moderate social support had higher likelihood of PSMU (OR = 1.51, 95% CI: 1.05–2.16). SEM analysis indicated that anxiety (β = 0.37, p = 0.009) and stress (β = 0.27, p < 0.001) had significant direct effects on PSMU, whereas depression did not directly influence PSMU. Social media use duration significantly mediated 24.7% of the effect of stress on PSMU (indirect β = 0.089, p = 0.003), but no significant mediation was found for anxiety or depression. Perceived social support did not significantly moderate the relationships between psychological distress and PSMU.ConclusionAnxiety, stress, and social media usage duration contribute to PSMU. These results inform targeted interventions to mitigate PSMU behaviors and support mental health in this vulnerable group.

BackgroundPhubbing is a commonly seen phenomenon that has emerged in recent years among groups of college students, posing a rising challenge to educators. We conduct research in which the reciprocal relationship between problematic social media use and phubbing is explored and analysed quantitatively, aiming to discover reliable theoretical support to work out an appropriate intervention on students’ phubbing for students’ mental health concerns.MethodsUsing the problematic social media use scale and the phubbing scale, 328 college students from four universities in Shandong Province were enrolled in a two-stage longitudinal follow-up study for 20 months from December 2019 to August 2021. A cross-lagged model was constructed to explore the reciprocal relationship between problematic social media use and phubbing. The results of correlation analysis showed that problematic social media use was positively correlated with phubbing at both time points (r = 0.51, 0.53, P < 0.01).ResultsThe results of cross-lagged regression analysis showed that the predictive effect of pretest problematic social media use on posttest problematic social media use was statistically significant (β = 0.24, P < 0.01). There was statistical significance in the prediction effect of pretest phubbing on posttest phubbing (β = 0.16, P < 0.05). Pretest problematic social media use had statistical significance in predicting posttest phubbing (β = 0.22, P < 0.01), and there was no statistical significance in the prediction of pretest phubbing on posttest problematic social media (β = 0.16, P < 0.05).ConclusionThe problematic social media use of college students is closely related to phubbing, and problematic social media use can predict phubbing.

Background Previous approaches used to assess problematic social media use risk inflating prevalence numbers and classify unproblematic social media use as addictive or problematic. The main aim of this study was to take an exploratory view as to how different types of activities, experiences, and motivations on social media are associated with problematic mental health outcomes in adolescents. Methods This study is based on a cross-sectional survey of 2023 adolescents (mean age 17.4 years (SD 0.9), 44.4 % males) from 2020. Exploratory graph analysis, Mokken scaling analysis and confirmatory factor analysis were performed on 28 pre-selected items assessing adolescents’ activities, experiences, and motivations on social media, to identify underlying potentially problematic factors associated with social media use. Sets of gender-adjusted multiple linear regression analyses were performed to assess the degree to which social media factors predicted depression, anxiety, well-being, and time spent on social media. Results Three factors were identified and named: 1) ‘subjective overuse’, 2) ‘social obligations’, and 3) ‘source of concern’. All three factors showed significant positive associations with mental health problems. The factor ‘source of concern’, which identifies feelings of being overwhelmed and concerned over social media use, had the strongest association to mental health problems and simultaneously the weakest association to time spent on social media. Conclusions Three identified factors measuring problematic social media use showed positive associations with mental health problems. This lends support to the notion that problematic social media use is a multidimensional phenomenon. Key messages • Being overwhelmed and concerned over social media use had the strongest association to mental health problems and simultaneously the weakest association to time spent on social media. • The results from this study lends support to the notion that problematic social media use is a multidimensional phenomenon.