Almost half of British teens claim social media addiction, Millennium Cohort studies reveal
Social media has become an integral aspect of everyday life. A clear example of this trend comes from Dr. Amy Orben's team at the University of Cambridge, who conducted a study which reveals that a high proportion of teenagers feel dependent on these platforms.
4:14 PM EST, January 9, 2024
Social media and teenagers
According to the recently published Millennium Cohort studies, a remarkable number of young Britons confess to losing control over their social media usage and feeling addicted to it.
As theguardian.com reports, this study involved the participation of 19,000 youngsters born between 2000 and 2002. Nearly 48 percent agreed or strongly agreed with the statement, "I think I am addicted to social media".
The researchers underscore the point that, despite someone feeling addicted, it doesn't necessarily mean they are clinically addicted. However, it does highlight the need to carefully monitor social media usage.
"We're not implying that those who feel addicted are genuinely addicted. Declaring an addiction to social media is not akin to confessing an addiction to drugs. However, the sheer discomfort of feeling out of control of one's own behavior is certainly alarming, and what's more striking is how many people share this feeling," explained Georgia Turner, a PhD student who conducted the analysis in discussion with the media.
The impact of social media on mental health
The World Health Organisation has officially recognized "gaming disorder" as a legitimate diagnosis, cataloged in the International Classification of Diseases. This decision has been influenced by growing apprehensions regarding how social media can negatively affect mental health, youth welfare, and compulsive behaviors.
"Current research predominantly assumes that so-called social media addiction will eventually be classified under the same umbrella as drug addiction," Georgia Turner added during her media interaction.
