Social Media Addiction Plagues Adults Too, Experts Warn

Experts say social media companies design apps to keep users hooked, but there are ways to cut back.

Mar. 14, 2026 at 7:02am

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Social media addiction has been compared to other addictive behaviors like gambling and drug use. While the term "addiction" is debated, experts agree that excessive social media use can negatively impact people's lives, even for adults. Recognizing the signs of compulsive use, such as missing out on other activities or feeling overwhelmed, is the first step. Experts offer tips like turning off notifications, using built-in screen time controls, and seeking professional help if needed to break the cycle of social media overuse.

Why it matters

Social media addiction is not just a problem for children and teenagers. Adults are also susceptible to the addictive design of social media platforms, which are engineered to keep users engaged for as long as possible to generate advertising revenue. Excessive social media use can negatively impact work, relationships, and overall well-being, making it an important issue for people of all ages.

The details

Social media addiction has been compared to other addictive behaviors like gambling and drug use. While there is debate over whether social media use qualifies as a true "addiction," experts agree that excessive use can be harmful. Factors that contribute to social media addiction include the 24/7 access, dopamine hits from likes and interactions, and the pull of "rage-bait" content and arguing with strangers online. Experts say signs of problematic use include missing out on other activities, feeling overwhelmed or drained after use, and being unable to cut back despite trying.

  • The landmark social media harms trial in Los Angeles took place in 2026.

The players

Dr. Anna Lembke

A psychiatrist and the medical director of addiction medicine at Stanford University's School of Medicine.

Dr. Laurel Williams

A professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences at Baylor College of Medicine.

Ofir Turel

A professor of information systems management at the University of Melbourne who has studied social media use for years.

Ian A. Anderson

A postdoctoral scholar at California Institute of Technology.

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What they’re saying

“For me, the biggest signpost is how does the person feel about the 'amount,' and how viewing it makes them feel. If what they discover is they view it so much that they are missing out on other things they may enjoy or things that they need to attend to, this is problematic use. Additionally, if you leave feeling overwhelmed, drained, sad, anxious, angry regularly, this use is not good for you.”

— Dr. Laurel Williams, Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Baylor College of Medicine (theday.com)

“It's obvious that we have an issue. You don't have to call it an addiction, but there is an issue and we need, as a society, to start thinking about it.”

— Ofir Turel, Professor of Information Systems Management, University of Melbourne (theday.com)

What’s next

The landmark social media harms trial in Los Angeles is ongoing, and the judge will make a decision on whether to allow certain social media companies to continue operating in their current form.

The takeaway

While the term "social media addiction" is debated, excessive use can have real negative impacts on people's lives, even for adults. By recognizing the signs of problematic use and taking steps to limit time on social media, people can regain control and improve their overall well-being.