Overestimates of social media addiction are common but costly Ian A. Anderson & Wendy Wood

https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-025-27053-2?utm_campaign=morning_rounds&utm_medium=email&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-9vKQgFAMZo6l5FXZYi_bYtO2XRpfJQIUbNZMlFn8WHvDQ1Bxm-e_62wQKAFXP0M7V80JfzUFg6WDh-vvxqtl7ye-sn7g&_hsmi=392293161&utm_content=392293161&utm_source=hs_email Something to consider as we march toward resolutions season: People may be overestimating the extent of their social media addictions. A survey published last week in Scientific Reports found that out of 380 respondents who use Instagram, 18% at least somewhat agreed that they were addicted to the social media app, but just 2% displayed symptoms (like a negative impact on one’s job or withdrawal when not using) that indicate an actual risk of addiction. A second survey of 824 users found that when people think of frequent usage of the app as an addiction, it’s associated with reduced perceived control over one’s social media usage and increased self-blame. The use of addiction language in news and online content about social media likely impacts how users think about their behavior, the authors write. They suggest writers and policymakers be more careful with their language.