Social Media Addiction: Click Trap and Its Harms

Experts warn of the dangers of social media platforms' addictive design features

Published on Feb. 18, 2026

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A test-case jury trial in Los Angeles is accusing big tech companies of creating "addiction machines" with features like infinite scroll and autoplay that override human self-control. The European Commission has also issued a preliminary ruling against TikTok, stating that the app's design breaches the EU Digital Services Act. Experts argue that the problem is "no longer just about toxic content, it's about toxic design." While tech giants maintain that users have the agency to manage screen time, research suggests their platforms' features are engineered to foster a state of "automated attachment" and dependency analogous to substance addiction, especially in children whose impulse control is still developing.

Why it matters

The issue of social media addiction is of particular concern for children, whose impulse control mechanisms are still developing. Experts warn that the "variable reward schedules" used by these platforms are especially potent for young minds, which exhibit a heightened sensitivity to rewards. If adults struggle to control their use, expecting children to exercise restraint seems unrealistic.

The details

The LA court case accuses big tech companies of creating "addiction machines" with features like infinite scroll and autoplay that override human self-control. The European Commission has also issued a preliminary ruling against TikTok, stating that the app's design breaches the EU Digital Services Act. Tech giants have historically argued that their platforms are communication tools, not traps, and that "addiction" is a mischaracterization of high engagement. However, research suggests their design features, such as removing stopping cues and delivering variable rewards, are engineered to foster a state of "automated attachment" and dependency analogous to substance addiction.

  • The LA court case is currently underway, with Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg due to give evidence this week.
  • The European Commission recently issued a preliminary ruling against TikTok.

The players

Quynh Hoang

A Lecturer in Marketing and Consumption at the Department of Marketing and Strategy, University of Leicester, who has conducted research on digital consumption behaviour.

Mark Zuckerberg

The CEO of Meta, who is due to give evidence in the LA court case this week.

Adam Mosseri

The head of Instagram, who testified in the LA court case that the field of psychology does not classify social media addiction as an official diagnosis.

Paul Schmidt

The attorney for Meta, who argued that the plaintiff's struggles stemmed from pre-existing childhood trauma rather than platform design.

TikTok

A social media platform that has been accused of breaching the EU Digital Services Act with its addictive design features.

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What’s next

A ruling against social media companies in the LA court case, or enforced redesign of their apps in the EU, could have profound implications for the way these platforms are operated in future.

The takeaway

The issue of social media addiction, particularly among children, highlights the need for greater regulation and accountability around the design features of these platforms. While tech companies argue that users have the tools to manage their use, research suggests their platforms are engineered to override human self-control, fostering a state of dependency that is analogous to substance addiction.