Children as young as 14 are now seeking treatment for addiction to social media, according to a leading rehabilitation expert. The trend shows a rise in youngsters receiving therapy for the condition from mental health specialists due to excessive use of engaging applications like TikTok and Instagram. In an exclusive interview with the Mirror, Jan Gerber, the founder of Paracelsus Recovery, a renowned recovery center, highlighted the severity of the situation, labeling it as a significant epidemic.
Gerber pointed out that the algorithms utilized by these platforms are strategically crafted to exploit the brain’s reward system, primarily relying on dopamine-triggering activities. He expressed concern that the younger brain, still in its developmental stages, is more susceptible to the addictive nature of these digital interactions, equating it to a form of “digital crack cocaine.”
The expert shared that parents have reached out to him regarding even younger children showing signs of addiction, but due to legal constraints, he cannot provide treatment for those below 14 at his facility in Switzerland. He also observed a concerning trend of young individuals getting hooked on online gaming, leading to substantial financial burdens on families as children make in-game purchases without restraint.
Gerber emphasized the resemblance between gaming practices and casino behavior, noting the deliberate design of these activities to induce addiction. He advised parents to monitor their children for signs of social media addiction, such as excessive screen time, social withdrawal, and neglect of hobbies and social relationships.
Despite acknowledging the difficulty in treating this condition, Gerber highlighted recent success at his clinic by employing a therapeutic approach involving playing style cards to help young patients manage and express their emotions effectively. In response to growing concerns, Australia implemented a social media ban for under-16s in December, and there are discussions about similar restrictions proposed by Prime Minister Keir Starmer for platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and Snapchat.
While Gerber doubts the efficacy of an outright ban, he believes that governmental intervention, such as limiting screen time to one hour per day, could be a more practical approach to addressing the issue. He stressed the importance of regulatory measures, stating that relying on self-regulation is unrealistic in combating social media addiction among minors.
