Safer Internet Day: Top tips for parents worried their child is addicted to social media, according to experts

Many parents are growing worried that their child may be addicted to social media as scrollingon apps has become a part of the daily routine for many Brits. But how can you tell if a child is addicted or just spending more time on their phones than you would prefer.

It is a year-round issue for many parents, but becomes especially apparent around this time due to Safer Internet Day on February 11. This day is used to promote safe, responsible, and positive use of digital technology for young people in the country.

Excessive social media use does not seem to be just a UK issue - with research conducted by the University of Cambridge last year finding that 48 per cent of British teenagers feel like they are addicted to social media - but a global one.

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Data released by the World Health Organisation (WHO) last autumn showed a "sharp rise" in problematic social media use among 280,000 young adults in Europe, Canada and central Asia. These results can show why parents are increasingly becoming concerned about their child's technology usage.

Lee Fernandes, lead therapist at the UK Addiction Treatment Centres (UKAT) Group, said: "Parents should be worried about social media addiction, as we know first-hand that it’s a very real problem. However, there’s a difference between a child using social media for longer than the parent wants them to, and the child actually having an addiction."

WHO categorised some of the addiction-like symptoms teenagers may be experiencing surrounding social media, such as an inability to control usage, experiencing withdrawals when not using it, neglecting other activities in favour of social media, and dealing with the negative impact in daily life because of excessive use.

This comes after WHO found that the rate of problematic social media use by adolescents increased from seven per cent in 2018 to 11 per cent in 2022. The research concluded that findings "raises urgent concerns about the impact of digital technology on the mental health and wellbeing of young people."

One reason that social media can be addicting is because it releases dopamine, otherwise known as the 'happy hormone', into the brain, which views it as a reward. Therefore, because your brain receives it positively, young people are encouraged to continuously use social media.

Fernandes explains: "Social media is complex in that it not only provides instant gratification via ‘likes’, it can be accessed 24/7, 365 days a year, which enhances the users’ desire to always be on these platforms in case they miss out on something happening."

"The user can disappear into the world of social media and live their life through everyone else’s online, making it incredibly difficult to value their own, real-world lives."

It may be hard for children and young people to identify that they have a problem surrounding social media, so Fernandes suggests that parents need to be on the lookout for signs of problematic use.

He added: "Being addicted to social media means having lost the power of choice. The user can’t help but go on to social media even when they know it’s negatively affecting their everyday life."

He suggests that parents should observe their child's behaviour when they aren't using social media. They need to ask themselves whether their child is still able to get up, eat and go to school, have healthy conversations with you and their friends and family, if they are still doing well in school, and if they are spending money they shouldn't on social media.

Additionally, are they experiencing any negative side effects from using social media, such as not getting enough sleep, exhibiting withdrawal symptoms such as headaches or nausea, or seem physically agitated when not scrolling on their phone?

Fernandes explained: "Observing the behaviour of the child when they’re not on social media will allow parents to better understand whether their child’s relationship with social media has become unhealthy and addictive in nature or not.

"And if they believe it has, it’s crucial for them to seek professional help and advice sooner rather than later. Our advice would be for parents to speak to their child’s GP about their social media usage. It might be that the GP can then signpost them further, or they might prescribe them a course of cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) to begin with."

The UKAT residential rehab facilities only treat social media addiction in people aged over 16.

Will Gardner, director of the UK Safer Internet Centre (UKSIC), says that to stop an addiction to social media evolving, you need to ensure that your child is finding a balance between their usage and other aspects of their life - sleeping, learning and hobbies.

He said: "If social media use starts to disrupt these areas, it could be a sign your child is spending too much time online. These signs can vary from child to child, so it’s important to talk about these to help them recognise their own warning signs, what to do in response, and understand when they should take a break."

Another tip Gardner has is to find out what parental controls are available on different platforms and to speak to their child about the dangers of social media and how to navigate it properly. He also promotes the use of a Family Agreement, so rules can be established that everyone is happy with.

He added: "A family agreement also allows you as a parent to model the behaviour you want to see for your children’s social media use.

"It’s important for children to experience the benefits of social media while also being aware of the potential risks. Managing the time on social media is an issue which affects children and adults alike, as these platforms are designed to be engaging and hard to step away from. Finding the right strategies for your family and helping each other is key."