Psychologists estimate that tens of millions of Americans are addicted to social media apps such as Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok. While adults and teens both use the platforms, social media addiction statistics indicate that the younger generation is more easily addicted and more susceptible to negative effects such as depression, anxiety, and suicidal thoughts leading to an increase in social media addiction lawsuits.
Since the early 2000s, social media has revolutionized the way we connect with one another. Social media has evolved since the days of Myspace, the very first platform. Dozens of other platforms have since emerged, from Facebook to Twitter to YouTube and TikTok, capturing the attention of larger and larger audiences.
In 2005, just five percent of Americans used social media. By 2021, a staggering 72 percent of Americans had active social media accounts.
It’s estimated that more than 4.8 billion people worldwide actively use social media every day. By 2027, nearly six billion people are expected to use social media daily.
However, social media appears to carry some risks. Among them is the risk of addiction.
But just how addictive is social media? How often are people using social media? Who is at the greatest risk of becoming addicted?
