In a landmark decision earlier this year, a California jury found Meta and Google liable for designing social media platforms (namely Instagram and YouTube) that harmed the mental health of a young woman. The jury concluded the companies acted with malice by engineering features to promote compulsive behavior, which led to symptoms of anxiety, body dysmorphia, and depression for the plaintiff. They awarded her $6 million in damages.

The verdict sets a new legal precedent, but for researchers who study adolescent social media use, the findings were familiar. A growing body of evidence documents the health risks of social media addiction among youth.

The word “addiction” is often used loosely, and, in fact, social media addiction is not recognized as an official disorder in the DSM. But researchers have applied clinical frameworks to measure social media addiction, and a series of studies have found evidence of this growing problem in teens across the globe. In a nationally representative survey of adolescent girls in the U.S., more than one-third reported feeling “addicted” to a social media platform. In another survey, more than 35 percent of U.S. teens reported using at least one social media platform “almost constantly.” A study of teenagers in Pakistan found that about 12 percent exhibit signs of social media addiction. And a study of over 1,000 Turkish adolescents found that 23 percent met criteria for social media addiction.

Research shows that teens are especially vulnerable to problematic social media use because of the unique interplay between the developing brain and the design of social media platforms. During adolescence, young people are forming their identities and learning how to communicate with others. When they interact on social media, they only see the curated identities of their peers, which is likely to heighten feelings of inferiority, which often leads teens to engage even more with social media.

The same study shows how the features of social media platforms drive addiction. For example, platforms with the infinite scroll feature allow users to explore content constantly without interruptions, making it easy to lose track of time. Social comparison and seeking validation through likes and comments also lead to increased time spent on social media platforms.

The Mental Health Toll

The effects of social media addiction on teen mental health are well-documented. A large systematic review found that it leads to depression and lower academic performance, a diminished sense of well-being, and lower quality social relationships. Other research links social media addiction to anxiety, depression, and emotional distress.

Another recent study found that for many teens, social media addiction mirrors addiction to other substances, with symptoms including withdrawal and impaired functioning. In the study, researchers asked 11- and 12-year-olds to respond to statements about reducing their social media use and their feelings when they can’t use it. About 16 percent of participants said they tried to use social media less, but couldn’t, and 23 percent said they spent a lot of time thinking about their social media apps.

What Actually Helps

Research is also helping us to understand the best interventions to counteract social media addiction. So far, here’s what we know works:

Cognitive behavioral therapy can help teens change unhealthy thought patterns and behaviors and make more conscious choices about social media use.
The evidence shows that parental supervision and strong, loving relationships with parents are protective against social media addiction. Setting clear boundaries around device use—especially at night and during meals—and having open, nonjudgmental conversations about what teens are experiencing online are effective ways to prevent problematic social media use.
Mindfulness-based approaches can help teens develop awareness of their own usage patterns and emotional triggers, building the self-regulation skills that addiction undermines.
Educating teens about social media addiction allows them to recognize the risks and consequences of excessive social media use. Presentations at schools, workshops, and online resources can motivate teens to think about and discuss their struggles and destigmatize social media dependence.

The take-home message: Problematic social media use is currently a real problem with negative impacts on adolescent mental health. For parents navigating this issue, the evidence shows that interventions work, including setting boundaries for social media use, maintaining a close relationship with your teen, prioritizing education about social media addiction, and turning to therapy if problems arise.

To find a therapist, please visit the Psychology Today Therapy Directory.