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Jan. 3, 2024 –  Excessive social media use mimics addiction—and can be self-treated.

During 2023, a trend gained steam, mostly among young people: the use of so-called “dumb phones” that do next to nothing except allow you to call and text people. This “digital detoxing” movement is led mainly by people worrying about spending time on social media and the damaging content available there.

As an addiction psychiatrist, I’m all for this self-help trend. It’s clear that excessive smartphone/social media use mimics addiction in many ways, including the harmful effects it may have on young people’s developing brains. It also increases a person’s risk of depression, anxiety, and eating disorders, including anorexia and binge-eating disorder.

READ@PsychologyToday