Psychology of Social Media Addiction: How Platforms Control the Mind
Psychology of Social Media Addiction Introduction Social media has become a daily habit for billions of people. What starts as a tool for connection slowly turns into a compulsion—endless scrolling, frequent checking, and anxiety when offline. This behavior is not accidental. It is deeply rooted in human psychology and brain chemistry. Social media addiction is not about weak willpower; it is about how platforms are designed to hijack attention. Attention & Concentration in Psychology | Meaning, Types & Improvement What Is Social Media Addiction? Social media addiction is a behavioral addiction where a person feels an uncontrollable urge to use social platforms despite negative effects on mental health, productivity, relationships, and sleep. Common signs include: Constant checking of phone without purpose Anxiety or irritation when unable to access social media Loss of time awareness while scrolling Validation-seeking through likes and comments Difficulty focusing on rea...