Problematic social media use
| Problematic social media use | |
|---|---|
| Other names | Social media addiction, social media obsession, social media overuse |
| Specialty | Psychiatry, psychology |
| Symptoms | Problematic smartphone use, internet addiction disorder |
| Risk factors | Lower socioeconomic status, female sex |
| Prevention | Parental engagement and support |
Problematic social media use refers the use of social media or virtual online community engagement, often excessively, that can lead to negative consequences for the person engaging on social media or their peers. Problems may include impaired functioning and a reduction in overall well-being. Problematic social media use is associated with a risk of mental health problems, sleep problems, academic struggles, and daytime fatigue.
Psychological or behavioural dependence on social media platforms can result in significant negative functions in peoples daily lives.
Women are at a great risk for experiencing problems related to social media use. The risk of problems is also related to the type of platform of social media or online community being used. People of different ages and genders may be affected in different ways by problematic social media use.