SOCIAL ADDICTIONS

SOCIAL ADDICTOIN

Social addiction, often conceptualized as social media addiction or problematic social networking use, is a behavioral dependency characterized by compulsive engagement with online social platforms that persists despite adverse psychological, social, or functional outcomes. Scholars argue that social addiction is driven by the reinforcement mechanisms embedded within social networking sites—such as likes, comments, and algorithmic feedback loops—which stimulate reward-related neural pathways and promote habitual, often uncontrollable, digital engagement (Kuss & Griffiths, 2017). Individuals experiencing this form of addiction commonly display symptoms including preoccupation with online interactions, diminished ability to regulate usage, withdrawal-like discomfort when disconnected, and disruptions in academic, occupational, or interpersonal functioning (Andreassen, 2015). Emerging evidence further indicates that social addiction is associated with heightened levels of anxiety, depressive symptoms, and fear of missing out (FOMO), contributing to decreased well-being and impaired self-regulation (Balta et al., 2020). Consequently, social addiction represents a significant behavioral health concern, underscoring the need for awareness, intentional digital boundaries, and evidence-based interventions to support healthier patterns of online engagement.

 reasons for social addiction

Social addiction, particularly in the context of social media use, is driven by a combination of psychological, social, and technological factors that reinforce compulsive engagement with digital platforms. One key reason is the activation of reward-based neural pathways, as social interactions—such as likes, comments, and shares—provide intermittent and unpredictable rewards that stimulate dopamine release and promote habitual behavior (Kuss & Griffiths, 2017). Psychologically, individuals may turn to social platforms to reduce loneliness, manage stress, or seek emotional validation, which increases dependence on online feedback and digital connection (Andreassen et al., 2017). Social factors, including peer influence, social comparison, and fear of missing out (FOMO), further encourage persistent online presence, especially among adolescents and young adults (Przybylski et al., 2013). Additionally, persuasive design techniques used by social media companies—such as infinite scrolling, personalized content algorithms, and push notifications—intentionally increase user engagement and make disengagement more difficult (Montag et al., 2019). Collectively, these psychological and technological mechanisms contribute to the development of social addiction, highlighting the complex interplay between human needs and digital environments.

 types of social addictions

Social addiction encompasses several distinct forms of compulsive online engagement, each shaped by different psychological needs and platform-specific reinforcement mechanisms. One prominent type is social media addiction, characterized by excessive use of platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, or TikTok to seek validation, manage identity, and maintain constant social connection (Kuss & Griffiths, 2017). Another form is communication addiction, in which individuals feel compelled to engage continuously in messaging, texting, or group chats, often experiencing anxiety or irritability when unable to maintain digital contact (Seo et al., 2016). Social gaming addiction emerges when users rely on interactive, multiplayer environments to fulfill social needs, leading to excessive online gaming driven by competition, collaboration, and virtual friendships (Király et al., 2014). Additionally, social comparison addiction involves compulsive monitoring of others’ online lives, which reinforces unhealthy comparison, reduces self-esteem, and fosters psychological dependence on curated digital identities (Vogel et al., 2014). These forms of social addiction demonstrate how digital environments can intensify social motivations and create maladaptive behavioral patterns, underscoring the need for awareness and intentional digital regulation.

References

Andreassen, C. S. (2015). Online social network site addiction: A comprehensive review. Current Addiction Reports, 2(2), 175–184.Balta, S., Emirtekin, E., Kircaburun, K., & Griffiths, M. D. (2020). Neuroticism, trait fear of missing out, and phubbing: The mediating role of state anxiety. International Journal of Mental Health and Addiction, 18(3), 628–639.Kuss, D. J., & Griffiths, M. D. (2017). Social networking sites and addiction: Ten lessons learned. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 14(3), 311.