Is Social Media Addiction a Public Health Crisis?

Social media addiction is increasingly recognized as a potential public health crisis due to its widespread impact on mental health and daily functioning. The term describes a compulsive use of social media platforms that significantly interferes with an individual's life, leading to negative effects on mental health, relationships, work, or school performance. The phenomenon emerged prominently with the rise of smartphones and ubiquitous internet access, which allowed for constant connectivity to platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. Research highlights concerns such as anxiety, depression, and sleep disturbances associated with excessive social media use. The addictive qualities of these platforms are often linked to their design features, such as infinite scrolling and notifications, which can encourage prolonged engagement. Recognizing the scale and effects of this issue, health professionals and policymakers are exploring ways to address it.