According to psychologist Dr. Audrey Tang, the correct classification of addiction requires that the behavior disrupts daily life. But the problem, she explains, is that "we've become so accustomed to behaviors like constantly checking our phones and responding instantly to notifications that we no longer see them as disruptive."
To test this hypothesis, researchers from the California Institute of Technology and the University of Southern California conducted a study on 380 Instagram users. The results revealed a striking paradox: while 18% of participants believed they were addicted to the platform, only 2% showed genuine symptoms of addiction.
It appears that the media plays a pivotal role in shaping this perception. An analysis of media content between 2021 and 2024 revealed that the phrase "social media addiction" was repeated 4,383 times, while these practices were rarely described as a "habit," being mentioned only 50 times.
This media hype, researchers believe, directly affects how users perceive their relationship with social media platforms.
When another sample of users was asked to frame their use of social media as an addiction, they were observed to feel less control over their behavior and to place more blame on themselves and the platform.
Despite these findings, the real problem remains. World Health Organization data shows a "sharp rise" in the problematic use of social media among young people across several countries.
In this regard, Dr. David Harley of the British Psychological Society offers a more balanced perspective, noting that describing these practices as "habits" does not diminish their seriousness. He adds, "These habits are honed and developed through the same techniques; they are not natural habits, but rather acquired habits specifically designed to capture the user's attention."
The fact remains that accurate scientific classification, despite its importance, does not change the need for users to understand the impact of these platforms on their mental health, and to strive for a more conscious and balanced relationship with them, regardless of what we call this relationship.
