Almost half of British teenagers feel addicted to social media

93% of UK teenagers (aged 12-15) use social media regularly, with 42% of this age group admitting to checking their social accounts multiple times an hour

In recent years, social media has become an integral part of daily life for many British teenagers. Platforms such as Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat, and Twitter offer endless entertainment, social interaction, and content consumption. However, this widespread use has given rise to growing concerns about social media addiction and its impact on the mental health and future well-being of young people in the UK.

The current situation

The research, conducted by Dr. Amy Orben and their team at the University of Cambridge, tracked the lives of about 19,000 people born in 2000-2002 across England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. When the cohort were aged 16-18 they were asked, for the first time, about social media use. Of the 7,000 people who responded, 48% said they agreed or strongly agreed with the statement “I think I am addicted to social media.” A higher proportion of girls (57%) agreed compared to boys (37%), according to the data.

Also a study in 2023 found that 93% of UK teenagers (aged 12-15) use social media regularly, with 42% of this age group admitting to checking their social accounts multiple times an hour. The phenomenon of doomscrolling (endlessly scrolling through negative news or content) and the fear of missing out (FOMO) are especially prevalent. Teenagers feel pressure to stay constantly connected, fearing they might miss important social events or trending topics if they don’t. This creates a vicious cycle, where teens check their devices even during meals, school breaks, and late at night.