The Case Against Social Media “Addiction”
A movement is underway to classify heavy social media use as a form of addiction, with lawmakers and advocacy groups pushing for regulation, despite a lack of consensus in the underlying science. In 2026, a California jury found Meta and Google negligent for designing platforms that allegedly caused mental health harm.
Lawmakers and advocacy groups are pushing to classify heavy social media use as addiction, despite a lack of scientific consensus. A 2026 California trial found Meta and Google negligent for designing platforms that allegedly caused mental health harm, awarding $6 million in damages. The Kids Online Safety Act has advanced in Congress, requiring social media platforms to prevent harm to minors and disable addictive features. Australia has enacted a ban on social media for children under 16. Critics argue that the term 'addiction' is being misused, conflating it with dependence and habit. Dependence is a physiological adaptation, while habits are behavioral patterns. Addiction is distinct from both, characterized by compulsive behavior despite negative consequences.
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