Scrolling into Concern: Why We Must Be Careful When Calling Social Media an Addiction
December 15, 2025 | By Maddie
With the increasing accessibility of social media to children of all ages, concerns regarding the usage of TikTok, Snapchat, Instagram, etc., impacting mental health have intensified. The widespread apprehension among parents, educators, and policymakers regarding the harmful influence of social media on children’s well-being has led to the use of the word “addiction” in describing this epidemic of technology use. As a college student studying addiction and the stigma associated with the word, I believe we must be cautious in labeling social media use as “addictive,” so as not to worsen stigma and to ensure support in a nonjudgmental, welcoming way.
What you need to know:
News outlets all over the world are sharing headlines in bold print, reading, “Digital Drugs Have Us Hooked” (NY Times) or “Trapped - the Secret Ways Social Media is Built to Be Addictive” (BBC). For students like me, admitting to struggles and reaching out for support is hard enough. News outlets pushing jargon such as “digital drugs” or “trapped” is dangerous, as it creates feelings of shame, abnormality, and weakness onto an ever-so-common, treatable issue that can be addressed with conversation and guidance when using social media.
Stigma has been seen to grow when social media usage is painted in an addictive light by news outlets, peers, and communities, which leads youth to feel judged, experience negative emotions, and feel discouraged from seeking help.
Gen Z Perspectives on Addiction Stigma and Social Media Labeling
I interviewed three students in different stages of college from across the country, all passionate about mental health, to explore the correlation between addiction and social media usage by asking them three key questions:
Do you think the way social media addiction is portrayed in the media affects your comfort in seeking help for struggles?
How do you feel when news outlets use terms like “digital drugs” or “trapped” to describe social media use?
In what ways do you think language and stigma around social media use impact students' willingness to seek help and support from friends, parents, and educators?
#1 Do you think the way social media addiction is portrayed in the media affects your comfort in seeking help for struggles?
Ana E. (3rd Year at Florida State University): “I don’t feel comfortable seeking help for struggles related to social media use. The media portrays social media as having no available ways to get help for overusing it. I see ads all the time telling Gen Z to stop vaping, but I never see resources that help people reduce their phone or social media use.”
Steven D. (4th Year at University of California Los Angeles): “When I think about how social media addiction is portrayed in the media, it’s often compared to drug or alcohol use, which creates a negative connotation and pushes people away from seeking professional help. This makes me question whether it’s even worth getting help.”
Megan S. (2nd Year at University of Colorado-Boulder): “I think the use of the word ‘addiction’ in the context of social media has causedthe word to lose meaning. Most people don’t believe being on their phone is thatharmful, or they don’t want to admit how much screen time they clock daily. Theydon’t feel the need to seek support because they don’t think they’re trulystruggling.”
#2 How do you feel when news outlets use terms like “digital drugs” or “trapped” to describe social media use?
Ana E. (3rd Year at Florida State University): “I don’t think this is effective. It captures people’s attention, but definitely not in a good way. There needs to be a focus on encouraging people to engage in natural activities instead of framing it as if it’s a drug or as if you’re trapped.”
Steven D. (4th Year at 4th Year at University of California Los Angeles): “This concerns me. Social media use is definitely damaging, but when news outlets use certain words, I feel more blamed and less supported in recovery.”
Megan S. (2nd Year at University of Colorado-Boulder): “Hearing those types of words used by media sources would make me more defensive and less likely to admit I have a problem because it is being equated with things like drugs.”
#3 In what ways do you think language and stigma around social media use impact students' willingness to seek help and support from friends, parents, and educators?
Ana E. (3rd Year at Florida State University): “Everything feels manufactured these days. It’s hard to find people who take you seriously because of screens. It’s difficult to speak openly about how you feel because of the lack of transparency and authenticity people portray online.”
Steven D. (4th Year at 4th Year at University of California Los Angeles): “The most integral part of how you speak to others is how recovery is supported. When bringing up struggles, you have to deal with them one way or another. Having support systems that affirm your feelings and thoughts as valid allows real work to be done toward recovery.”
Megan S. (2nd Year at University of Colorado-Boulder): “A lot of the time, when help is presented in infographics, workshops, or schools, it goes to extremes about what can happen. This makes young people feel like those offering support don’t understand their experiences. As a result, it creates a misguided view of what’s happening on social media and leads to less willingness to seek mental health support from parents, educators, and adults.”
Final thoughts
When it comes to understanding the harm in labeling anything as an addiction, every perspective is different. However, with the seriousness of this issue and the need for support to grow in a nonjudgmental, positive light, there is much to unpack from what Ana, Steven, and Megan shared.
All three Gen Z students emphasized that the language used to communicate with youth is essential in creating support systems that uplift mental health and open minds to the idea that getting support for technology use to benefit one’s life is normal and important. Stigma is created from the approach we take in addressing issues that arise, whether in conversation or media presentations. As Steven shared, “when bringing up struggles, you have to deal with them one way or another.” We must provide a network that offers comfort and support during struggles in all life realms, including social media and technology use.
The first step is to be charismatic and understanding when addressing struggleswith technology. As a community, focusing on dropping negative connotations inmedia presentations and everyday conversation will reshape how the word“addiction” influences support for youth struggling with technology use.
About the author
Maddie (she/her) is a third-year student at University of California-Los Angeles with an interest in holistic health for youth to feel supported both physically and mentally. She’s particularly interested in research that informs policy, driving meaningful change to protect global mental well-being. Outside of school, you’ll find Maddie getting lost in a good book, enjoying the West Coast sunshine, or cheering on the Bruins from the sideline!
Additional Tools and Insights 📚
Tips for Taking Care of Your Mental Health in a Digital World: Learn insights and strategies for protecting your wellbeing while staying connected.
#GoodforMEdia Guides and Tools: Explore a list of resources created by youth to help their peers and adult allies navigate the positive and negative aspects of social media.
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