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What Is Social Media Addiction?

Social media addiction is a behavioral addiction that is characterized as being overly concerned about social media, driven by an uncontrollable urge to log on to or use social media, and devoting so much time and effort to social media that it impairs other important life areas.

Checking and scrolling through social media has become an increasingly popular activity over the last decade. Although the majority of peoples' use of social media is non-problematic, there is a small percentage of users that become addicted to social networking sites and engage in excessive or compulsive use. In fact, psychologists estimate that as many as 5 to 10% of Americans meet the criteria for social media addiction today.

Addictive social media use will look much like any other substance use disorder and may include:

Mood modification (engagement in social media leads to a favorable change in emotional states)

Salience (behavioral, cognitive, and emotional preoccupation with social media)

Tolerance (ever-increasing use of social media over time)

Withdrawal symptoms (experiencing unpleasant physical and emotional symptoms when social media use is restricted or stopped)

Conflict (interpersonal problems ensue because of social media usage)

Relapse (addicted individuals quickly revert back to their excessive social media usage after an abstinence period)

The phenomena of social media addiction can be largely attributed to the dopamine-inducing social environments that social networking sites provide. Social media platforms such as TikTok, Facebook, Snapchat, and Instagram produce the same neural circuitry that is caused by gambling and recreational drugs to keep consumers using their products as much as possible. Studies have shown that the constant stream of retweets, likes, and shares from these sites cause the brain's reward area to trigger the same kind of chemical reaction seen with drugs like cocaine. In fact, neuroscientists have compared social media interaction to a syringe of dopamine being injected straight into the system.

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How Social Media Affects The Brain

Due to the effect that it has on the brain, social media is addictive both physically and psychologically. According to a new study by Harvard University, self-disclosure on social networking sites lights up the same part of the brain that also ignites when taking an addictive substance. The reward area in the brain and its chemical messenger pathways affect decisions and sensations. When someone experiences something rewarding or uses an addictive substance, neurons in the principal dopamine-producing areas in the brain are activated and dopamine levels rise. Therefore, the brain receives a "reward" and associates the drug or activity with positive reinforcement.

This is observable in social media usage; when an individual gets a notification, such as a like or mention, the brain receives a rush of dopamine and sends it along reward pathways, causing the individual to feel pleasure. Social media provides an endless amount of immediate rewards in the form of attention from others for relatively minimal effort. The brain rewires itself through this positive reinforcement, making people desire likes, retweets, and emoticon reactions.

Another perpetuating factor of social media addiction is the fact that the reward centers of the brain are most active when people are talking about themselves. In the non-virtual world, it's estimated that people talk about themselves around 30 to 40% of the time; however, social media is all about showing off one's life and accomplishments - so people talk about themselves a staggering 80% of the time. When a person posts a picture they may receive positive social feedback, which stimulates the brain to release dopamine, rewarding that behavior and perpetuating the social media habit.

Social media use becomes problematic when someone views social networking sites as an important coping mechanism to relieve stress, loneliness, or depression. Social media use provides these individuals with continuous rewards that they're not receiving in real life, so they end up engaging in the activity more and more. This continuous use eventually leads to multiple interpersonal problems, such as ignoring real life relationships, work or school responsibilities, and physical health, which may then exacerbate an individual's undesirable moods. This then causes people to engage in the social networking behavior even more as a way of relieving dysphoric mood states. When social network users repeat this cyclical pattern of relieving undesirable moods with social media use, the level of psychological dependency on social media increases.

Recognizing A Social Media Addiction

Although many people habitually use social media, very few are genuinely addicted. To determine if someone is at risk of developing an addiction to social media, ask these 6 questions:

Do they spend a lot of time thinking about social media or planning to use social media?

Do they feel urges to use social media more and more?

Do they use social media to forget about personal problems?

Do they often try to reduce use of social media without success?

Do they become restless or troubled if unable to use social media?

Do they use social media so much that it has had a negative impact on their job or studies?

A "yes" to more than 3 of these questions may indicate the presence of a social media addiction.

A digital detox, a period of time during which someone significantly reduces the time spent using electronic devices such a smartphones or computers, could be a wise precaution. This can include simple steps, such as turning off sound notifications and only checking social media sites once an hour. Other changes can include having periods in the day where there is self-imposed non-screen time, such as during meal times, or leaving the phone in a separate room at night so as not to disturb sleep. This allows for a restored focus on social interaction in the physical world and reduces dependency on networking sites.

Social Media And Mental Health

Research has shown that there is an undeniable link between social media use, negative mental health, and low self-esteem. While social media platforms have their benefits, using them too frequently can make people feel increasingly unhappy and isolated. These negative emotional reactions are not only produced due to the social pressure of sharing things with others but also the comparison of material things and lifestyles that these sites promote.

On Instagram and Facebook, users see curated content: advertisements and posts that are specifically designed to appeal to users based on their interests. Users may see others posting about their great jobs, excellent partners, or beautiful homes and feel happy or inspired as a result. Others, however, may see these pictures and feel jealous, depressed, or even suicidal due to the fact that their own life is not as "perfect" as those that they see on Facebook or Instagram.

Recent studies have found that frequent social network users believe that other users are happier and more successful than they are, especially when they do not know them very well in real life. Social media facilitates an environment in which people are comparing their realistic offline selves to the flawless, filtered, and edited online versions of others, which can be detrimental to mental well-being and perception of self. Excessive social media use can not only cause unhappiness and a general dissatisfaction with life in users but also increase the risk of developing mental health issues such as anxiety and depression. Constantly comparing oneself to others can lead to feelings of self-consciousness or a need for perfectionism and order, which often manifests as social anxiety disorder.

Another aspect of social anxiety triggered by online media use is the fear of missing out (FOMO), the extreme fear of not being included or missing a social event. Users may see pictures of parties to which they were not invited, or glimpses of fun outings that they were unable to attend because of work or school obligations, and experience anxiety that no one misses them as a result - or fear that they will be forgotten since they're not there. FOMO can take a toll on self-esteem and lead to compulsive checking of social media platforms to ensure that an individual isn't missing out on anything, which can cause problems in the workplace and in the classroom. A study conducted by Harvard University found that social media has a significantly detrimental effect on the emotional well-being of chronic users and their lives, negatively impacting their real-life relationships and academic achievement.

At-Risk Youth

An estimated 27% of children who spend 3 or more hours a day on social media exhibit symptoms of poor mental health. Overuse of social networking sites is much more problematic in children and young adults because their brains and social skills are still developing. Research has shown that adolescents who habitually use social media from a young age have severely stunted social interaction skills. Despite the fact that users are interacting with each other on these platforms, many of the these types of interactions don't necessarily translate well to the real world. Studies have found that these individuals have worsened social anxiety in groups, higher rates of depression, negative body-image, and lowered levels of empathy and compassion toward others when surveyed.

A study performed by California State University found that individuals that visited any social media site at least 58 times per week were 3 times more likely to feel socially isolated and depressed compared to those who used social media fewer than 9 times per week.

The constant barrage of perfectly filtered photos that appear on social network sites can also cause low self-esteem and disordered eating in young adults. Though many teens know that their peers share only their best pictures and moments on social media, it's very difficult to avoid making comparisons. The ongoing exposure to unrealistic beauty standards through social networking sites can affect how teenagers perceive their own bodies. One study from the University of Pittsburgh found a correlation between time spent scrolling through social media apps and negative body image feedback. Those who had spent more time on social media had 2.2 times the risk of reporting eating and body image concerns when compared to their peers who spent less time on social media. Everything from physical appearance to life circumstances to perceived successes are scrutinized and processed by users. The need to gain likes on social media can cause teens to not only alter their appearance but also to make choices they would otherwise not make, including accepting risky social media challenges and engaging in negative behaviors.

The competition for attention and likes can even lead to online bullying. Name-calling, rumor-spreading, and harassment among adolescents has always happened, but social media presents young users more opportunities to do so than ever before. Teenage girls are at particular risk for cyberbullying through use of social media; however, boys are not immune. In addition to the implemented techniques of face-to-face bullying, the spreading and posting of non-consensual explicit pictures is a form of cyberbullying that has gained popularity within recent years. One quarter of teens say they have been sent explicit images they didn't ask for, while 7% say someone has shared explicit images of them without their consent. This type of abuse, along with other forms of cyberbullying, has led to increased suicide rates among young adults. Additionally, these factors have also contributed to the development of increased levels of anxiety in teens and adolescents.

Support And Treatment For Social Media Addiction

While many people are able to use social media on a daily basis with no problem, those suffering from a social media addiction are consumed by their need to use and engage on social networking sites. Luckily, the condition is very treatable and many have successfully recovered. Reducing screen time is a great way to combat problematic social media use; however, if the addiction is too severe you may require professional help.

Psychotherapy is an effective treatment approach to help you or your loved one overcome a social media addiction. Licensed therapists can provide people of all ages a safe space to discuss their thought patterns surrounding social media, and provide the tools needed to create a healthy relationship with social media. Cutting down on harmful social media use is possible, and you're not alone.

There are a variety of online therapy providers that have a large database of licensed therapists to choose from. Explore all of your online therapy options today, and receive professional support for social media addiction.

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Social media addiction is a behavioral addiction that has been found to negatively impact the mental health and relationships of those afflicted.

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If you find yourself losing several minutes (or even hours) at a time after using social media, you're not alone.

While social media first started as a way to connect with friends and family, it's since evolved into a coveted hobby used by all age groups.

You may enjoy social media and use it on a daily basis, but are you "addicted" to it?

There's no such thing as an official diagnosis of "social media addiction." But social media overuse is increasingly commonplace today, and it may have some serious repercussions to your physical and mental health.

Learn how to identify problematic social media use and what you can do about it.

Whether you use social media to connect with friends and loved ones, watch videos, or simply "kill time," the popularity of this pastime has increased significantly over the last decade.

This is especially the case in children and teenagers, as well as young to middle-aged adults.

So, how does a seemingly harmless hobby turn into an "addiction"?

Like other types of behavioral addictions, using social media can influence your brain in harmful ways. You may use social media compulsively and excessively. You can become so accustomed to scrolling through posts, images, and videos that it interferes with other areas of your life.

Some experts estimate up to 10 percent of people in the United States have social media addiction. However, due to how common social media use is in general, the number of those who have social media addiction may be higher.

Not everyone who uses social media will develop an addiction. Since this activity is becoming more accessible to more people, though, more people may develop an addiction to social media at some point in their lives.

While social media can seem like mindless and relaxing fun, it actually has a significant effect on your brain.

Whenever you log on to your favorite apps, dopamine signals in your brain increase. These neurotransmitters are associated with pleasure.

When you experience more dopamine after using social media, your brain identifies this activity as a rewarding one that you ought to repeat. Such a reaction may be more felt whenever you make a post of your own and gain positive feedback.

The positive feelings experienced during social media use are only temporary. The way your brain engages in this positive reinforcement is also seen in other addictions.

Thus, as the feel-good dopamine wears off, you'll go back to the source (in this case, social media) for more.

In some cases, social media can be a welcome distraction if you're isolated due to work or an illness. The more you engage, the more your brain will tell you that this is an activity that can help reduce loneliness (which may not necessarily be the case, actually).

Engaging in social media once in a while is unlikely to be harmful. However, there are negative effects to consider when overusing social media.

Some possible downsides of social media include:

A mental health professional can help you determine whether you truly have social media addiction or just really enjoy using it a lot.

But there are a few key differences between social media addiction and a habit that you enjoy. These include:

negative effects to your job or schoolwork due to the overuse of social media (e.g., scrolling through your apps at work or instead of studying)

increased use during other activities, such as hanging out with friends and family, or while eating

increased reliance on social media as a way to cope with problems

restlessness and irritability whenever you're not using social media

anger whenever social media usage is reduced

thinking about social media whenever you aren't using it, so much so that it's the first thing you turn to whenever you have the opportunity

Whether you have social media addiction or are just on your apps more than you need to be, the good news is there are ways you can help decrease your overall use.

Consider the following tips to help you achieve a healthier balance with social media:

Delete your social media apps from your smartphone. While you can still access them from your personal computer, keeping them off your phone may help decrease the amount of time spent on social media overall.

Turn off your personal phone during work, as well as during school, meals, and recreational activities. You can also adjust the setting on each social media app so you can turn off certain notifications.

Set aside a certain amount of time dedicated to social media per day. Turn on a timer to help keep you accountable.

Leave your phone, tablet, and computer out of your bedroom.

Take up a new hobby that's not technology-related. Examples include sports, art, cooking classes, and more.

Make it a point to see your friends and family in person when possible.

It's also important to take regular breaks from social media altogether to help find some real-life grounding.

Depending on your needs, your break can last for 1 day per week, a whole month, or an entire season. Let yourself be in control of this decision - not your social media account.

Social media is increasingly omnipresent today, but this doesn't mean you'll automatically develop an addiction to it.

By taking frequent breaks and setting clear boundaries for yourself and your children, you can help prevent an overreliance on social media before it becomes harmful.

If you do suspect you have social media addiction, there are ways you can treat it to increase your overall well-being. Don't hesitate to reach out to a mental health professional for help with this type of addiction.

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Social Media Addiction: What It Is and What to Do About It

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Social media addiction is becoming more commonplace, and it may have serious repercussions to your physical and mental health. Learn how to identify this type of addiction and what you can do about it.

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Why Is Facebook Addictive?Twenty-One Reasons For Facebook Addiction

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Why Is Facebook Addictive?Twenty-One Reasons For Facebook Addiction

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Why Is Facebook so Addictive? 21 Reasons For Facebook Addiction - TechAddiction

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Why is Facebook addictive? If you can’t go a day without checking your Facebook account, here are the reasons why you may already be addicted.

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Social media can be a tricky beast. Sometimes you're LOL-ing and scrolling; other times you're feeling flat from FOMO. So, it pays to know how best to manage your use of socials. It's not an easy thing to do, but reducing your useage will free up time to spend on other things and help you to be more focused. Here are five ways to make your socials work for you.

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Social media can be a tricky beast. Sometimes you're having a great time; others, you're feeling flat from FOMO. Here are some ways to make it work for you.

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According to 2019 research from the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, Americans spend, on average, a little more than half of their leisure time watching TV.

This is partly because TV's gotten a lot better in recent years. Fancy cable isn't as prohibitively expensive as it once was, and you can find just about anything you want on streaming sites. Plus, you aren't just limited to your TV set anymore. Laptops, phones, and tablets can all get the job done, too.

The evolution of TV has come with some unintended consequences, though. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) didn't include TV addiction in its fifth edition. However, 2013 research suggests excessive TV viewing shares considerable similarities with DSM-5 criteria for substance use disorder.

Here's a look at when your TV intake might warrant a closer look and what to do if it feels like too much.

Again, TV addiction isn't a formally recognized condition. That means there's no agreed set of symptoms.

Some researchers, however, have developed questionnaires to help identify TV dependence. One of these, published in 2004, uses substance dependence criteria to help measure TV dependence and addiction with statements along the lines of:

"I feel guilty about watching so much TV."

"I get less satisfaction from watching the same amount of TV."

"I can't imagine going without TV."

Problematic behavior generally interferes with typical daily function, explains Melissa Stringer, a therapist in Sunnyvale, Texas, although specific signs can vary.

For example, the time you spend watching TV might:

affect your work or studies

leave you with less time to see family and friends

As with other types of addiction, watching TV can boost dopamine production in your brain. The resulting pleasurable feelings act as a "reward" that makes you want to continue watching TV.

suggests the brain processes that occur with TV addiction may resemble those involved with substance addiction, but more evidence is needed to draw conclusive links between the two.

Here are some more specific things to look for.

You regularly watch more TV than you intend to

Night after night, you promise yourself you'll just watch one episode of something, but you end up watching three or four instead. Or maybe you turn on the TV before starting work and get so distracted you don't get any work done. This keeps happening, even when you resolve to watch less.

Binge-watching may seem to resemble addictive behaviors, but occasionally watching a lot of TV at once doesn't necessarily suggest dependency, especially when you intended to watch multiple episodes and don't feel any distress afterward. Everyone needs to zone out from time to time.

You feel upset when you can't watch TV

When you don't watch any TV for a day or two, you might notice some emotional distress, including:

irritability or crankiness

restlessness

intense desire to watch TV

These might improve right away once you start watching TV again.

You watch TV in order to feel better

TV offers distraction and escape. If you've had a difficult or stressful day, you might watch something funny to improve your mood, for example.

There's nothing wrong with occasionally using TV to help relieve or express painful emotions. But problems can develop when TV becomes your primary coping strategy and keeps you from seeking out more productive methods of dealing with distress.

TV can't help you resolve whatever you're dealing with. It can help you feel better for a while, but chances are, your improved mood won't last until you take steps to address any problems.

You develop health concerns

If you watch a lot of TV, you might spend a lot of time sitting and less time being physically active.

Healthcare experts generally recommend adults get at least 2.5 hours of moderate exercise each week.

If your TV viewing has become excessive, you may not have enough time to get in the weekly recommended amount of exercise, which can affect your health over time.

2018 research also links TV addiction to sleep problems. Not getting enough sleep can also take a toll on physical wellness.

You notice problems in your personal relationships

Excessive TV watching can cause damage to your relationships in two key ways.

If you spend your free time watching TV, you probably aren't spending much time with loved ones. You may have less time for chatting and catching up. What's more, when you do see them, you might enjoy your time together less if you feel irritable and just want to get back to watching TV.

TV addiction can also affect relationships when you sacrifice relationship maintenance behaviors, like spending quality time with your partner, in favor of watching TV. Your partner or children may comment on your TV viewing or become frustrated when you watch TV.

You have a hard time cutting back

You might feel bad, even guilty, about watching so much TV, since it keeps you from taking care of chores at home, your favorite hobbies, and other things you'd like to do.

Even so, all you want to do after work (sometimes even during work) is watch TV. You feel guilty about having less time for loved ones and yourself, and you've even tried to watch less.

Despite your emotional distress, though, you just can't seem to decrease your viewing time.

There's no single thing that makes people watch excessive amounts of TV.

For starters, there are plenty of good things about TV. These tend to draw people in. For some, the allure may just be a bit stronger.

TV can:

teach you about specific subjects

offer entertainment

inform you about current events

distract you from sad or unpleasant thoughts

help you connect with family, friends, or others who watch the same shows

It can also help keep you company, in a way. If you spend a lot of time alone, you might turn on the TV to break the silence or ease loneliness, anxiety, or boredom.

Not everyone who watches TV becomes dependent on it, of course. But problematic use, of TV or any substance or behavior, can result when you begin to rely on TV to cope with stress and other distress, Stringer explains.

Some benefits TV provides can increase your desire to keep watching and reinforce problematic viewing patterns. You may also be more likely to turn to media to help you cope with distress if other people in your life do the same.

If you feel like you're watching too much TV, these strategies might help you kick the habit.

Keep in mind that these tips won't work overnight. It takes time to change behaviors, so be gentle with yourself and don't get too discouraged if you slip along the way.

Keep track of how much you watch

To get a better idea of how much TV you usually watch, try keeping a log of the time you spend watching each day.

It also helps to note things like:

patterns around when you generally watch TV

mood changes related to TV use

Finding patterns in TV viewing can give you more insight into how it affects your daily life. You can also use these patterns to watch less TV.

For example, if you always turn on the TV right after dinner, you might choose to go for a walk instead.

Explore your reasons for watching TV

Maybe you started watching TV out of boredom. Or you began drifting off to late-night talk shows and now you can't sleep without the TV on.

Stringer recommends exploring your reasons for watching TV and asking yourself if these reasons align with the ways you really want to spend your time.

Increasing awareness about why you rely on TV can enable you to address and work through challenges that affect you negatively, whether those include:

persistent sleep issues

lack of rewarding hobbies

few fulfilling relationships

Create specific limits around TV time

If you generally watch a lot of TV, you may have a hard time giving it up completely.

Stringer points out that taking a large step away from your baseline may not be the best option when working toward lasting behavioral change. It often helps more to focus on smaller, gradual change.

For example, you might decide to:

cancel all but one streaming service

limit viewing to new episodes of your favorite shows

only watch TV on weekends or when you're doing something else, like working out

Distract yourself

Finding new activities can help you rein in your TV viewing. It's often easier to break a pattern when you have something else to do with your time.

So after you put down the remote (or hide it), try:

picking up a book

enjoying nature by gardening or visiting your local park

teaching yourself a new language with apps like Duolingo

coloring or journaling

Connect with others

Using TV to cope with loneliness can prevent you from finding long-term solutions, like making new friends or going on dates.

If you find social interaction difficult, talking to a therapist can help. It's also perfectly fine to take things slow.

Try starting by replacing an hour of daily TV time with some kind of interaction, such as:

catching up with loved ones

spending time in a public place

participating in a group hobby

volunteering

Once you become more comfortable in social situations, try increasing the time you spend with others while continuing to decrease TV watching.

It's also pretty common to watch TV instead of dealing with stress, which could include friendship or relationship issues. Talking about the problem is usually the most beneficial approach.

Talking to a healthcare professional can help if you're experiencing physical symptoms that seem related to excessive TV use, such as trouble sleeping.

While it's possible to take steps to address it yourself, cutting back on TV isn't always easy. If you're finding it difficult, talking to a therapist can help.

Therapists offer compassion and support without judgment.

They can help you explore:

strategies to limit viewing

unwanted emotions related to excessive TV viewing

more helpful ways to manage and cope with difficult feelings

Consider reaching out if:

you're struggling to cut back on TV

the thought of watching less TV distresses you

you're dealing with mood changes, including irritability, depression, or anxiety

TV viewing has affected your relationships or daily life

There's nothing wrong with relaxing by catching up on your favorite show or watching an entire season in one weekend. As long as you don't have trouble taking care of your usual responsibilities and can find time for other leisure activities when you want to, your TV use probably isn't problematic.

If your viewing seems to have a negative impact on your health or relationships and keeps you from doing things you usually would, it may be time to talk to a therapist, especially if your own efforts to watch less TV are unsuccessful.
Crystal Raypole has previously worked as a writer and editor for GoodTherapy. Her fields of interest include Asian languages and literature, Japanese translation, cooking, natural sciences, sex positivity, and mental health. In particular, she's committed to helping decrease stigma around mental health issues.

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TV Addiction: Characteristics and Treatment

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According to 2019 research from the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, Americans spend, on average, a little more than half of their leisure time watching TV. This is partly because TV's gotten a lot better in recent years. Fancy cable isn't as prohibitively expensive as it once was, and you can find just about anything you want on streaming sites.

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It's great to do things you enjoy. But can you go too far with a hobby? And at what point does it become an addiction? That's the question experts are trying to answer about playing video games.

Even though gaming has been around for almost 50 years, studies about its harms are still in the early stages. Different groups have come to different conclusions about whether problem playing should be called an addiction.

The World Health Organization added "gaming disorder" to the 2018 version of its medical reference book, International Classification of Diseases. But the American Psychiatry Association's manual, the DSM-5, didn't. (So far, gambling is the only "activity" listed as a possible addiction.)

It may help to start by asking yourself a few questions: Does your video gaming get in the way of other important things in your life, like your relationships, your job, or going to school? Do you feel like you've crossed the line between loving to playing and having to play? Might you be using gaming to avoid a deeper problem, like depression?

It can be hard to see a problem in yourself. The amount of time you spend gaming might seem fine to you. But if people close to you say it's too much, it might be time to think about cutting back.

If you're a parent who's concerned about the amount of time your child spends gaming, look at how well they are doing at school and with friends. Having good grades and a good relationship with parents are signs that a child's video gaming is unlikely to be a problem.

Get help from your doctor or therapist -- or your child's pediatrician, if the person you're concerned about is your son or daughter -- as soon as you think that gaming time is getting out of hand.

Studies about treating video game addiction are also in the early stages. One therapy that can help is called CBT or cognitive behavioral therapy. This is mental health counseling that teaches you how to replace thoughts about gaming to help change behavior.

If you're the parent of a gamer, a therapist can show you how to place limits on your child's playing time if you have a hard time saying no. One study found that making parents part of a child's treatment makes it work better.

To keep the amount of time spent gaming under control, try these tips for adults and kids alike:

1. Set time limits for play and stick to them.

2. Keep phones and other gadgets out of the bedroom so you won't play into the night.

3. Do other activities every day, including exercise. This will lower the health risks of sitting and playing for long stretches of time.

No one knows whether certain kinds of games are more likely to lead to problem gaming. For the time being, make sure that your child is only playing games rated for their age.

The DSM-5 does include a section to help people and doctors know the warning signs of problem video gaming. These problems can happen whether you play online or offline.

Here's what to look for in yourself or someone close to you -- your partner, a child, or a friend. You need to have five or more of these signs in 1 year to have a problem, according to criteria that were proposed in the DSM-5:

Thinking about gaming all or a lot of the time

Feeling bad when you can't play

Needing to spend more and more time playing to feel good

Not being able to quit or even play less

Not wanting to do other things that you used to like

Having problems at work, school, or home because of your gaming

Playing despite these problems

Lying to people close to you about how much time you spend playing

Using gaming to ease bad moods and feelings

Of course, not everyone who plays a lot has a problem with gaming. Some experts say that it's harmful to label people who might just be very enthusiastic about gaming. One thing they do agree on is that the percentage of players who meet the proposed criteria for addiction to video games is small. It's estimated to be somewhere between 1% and 9% of all gamers, adults and kids alike. (It's more common in boys and men than girls and women.)

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It can be hard to tell when a love of gaming has crossed into the danger zone. Learn the warning signs that can alert you to a problem.

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Video Game Addiction – Treatment, Symptoms, and Causes

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Video Game Addiction – Treatment, Symptoms, and Causes

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