Parent addicted to Facebook? How to help Mom or Dad
Clinical Review by:
Published:
Jul 30, 2024
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07:37 p.m.
ET
Updated:
Sep 16, 2024
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02:32 p.m.
ET
As you probably know by now, Facebook is a social networking site that brings users together from across the globe. But it didn’t start out that way. It launched as TheFacebook in 2004 before changing its name to Facebook. At the time, Facebook's goal was for college students to stay connected.
Mark Zuckerberg founded the site alongside Andrew McCollum, Chris Hughes, Dustin Moskovitz, and Eduardo Saverin. The website was limited to students at Harvard University but quickly expanded to other colleges and universities. By 2006, Facebook was available to anyone aged 13 years or older with a valid email address.
As of July 2024, Facebook has 3.06 billion users, which makes up 37% of the world's population. Facebook is still one of the most popular social media platforms. The largest demographic is age 25-34, which makes up 24.2% of the site's users.
However, Facebook has also become synonymous with “Baby Boomers,” as thousands of younger people have seen first-hand with their parents. As many as 68% of that older demo use Facebook, which has oftentimes become their go-to social media platform for community and news. Facebook’s simple interface is more comfortable for older users. They can connect with friends and family and make friends with like-minded individuals. The intuitive features can make the social media site addicting for some parents.
Is Facebook addiction real?
Facebook addiction is a specific type of social media addiction. Even though the DSM-5 hasn't yet recognized social media addiction formally, it can still have a significant negative impact on a person's life. Facebook addiction would be classified as a behavioral addiction in which someone compulsively uses it to the point where their actions become obsessive and affect other parts of life.
Signs of Facebook addiction: Crossing the line into unhealthy obsession
Some individuals might rely on the platform to distract themselves from negative emotions and real life events. This makes it hard for them to quit the platform. Signs of Facebook addiction might include the following:
Inability to stop using Facebook after multiple attempts
Experiencing frustration, aggression or sadness from not being able to use Facebook
Negative impacts on work, school or relationships due to compulsive use
Obsessive thoughts and fears of "missing out"
Facebook addiction is of course just one form of social media addiction. Each social media platform comes with its own dangers. But for some individuals who struggle with compulsive Facebook use, the platform becomes a replacement for real-life connections.
Some individuals might struggle with blurred lines between their real life and that on social media. Obsession with social media may also cause or exist alongside co-occurring mental health problems and sleep disturbances. If this sounds like a parent of yours, it might be time to assess whether their social media usage has crossed the line into an addiction.
Help and treatment: Where to turn if a parent is addicted to social media
Kids and teenagers aren't the only ones who may be addicted to social media. Parents can also fall into the trap of constant stimulation and social interaction. Some parents can even become so absorbed by their phones that it impacts attention paid to their kids.
One study indicated that parents who check their phones are more likely to have unruly kids. A parent's social media addiction can also negatively impact their child. Kids need attention and love from their parents. If they don't get what they're seeking, they can develop behavioral issues.
If you’re worried that your parent is addicted to social media, there are some healthy habits you can encourage:
Encourage no phones at the dinner table. Be intentional about dinner time. This is a time when parents should have the chance to connect with others and engage in conversation. This may sound humorous, since it’s often parents instituting this rule for their children, but it can work both ways!
Set designated "no social media" times. Taking breaks can be healthy, as they allow for balance with other activities.
Take a social media vacation. Taking a longer break from social media can do wonders for relationships and real interactions with others.
If a parent still seems to be spending an inordinate amount of time using social media, you might want to encourage them to speak with someone about it. Treatment options for social media addiction include therapies such as cognitive behavioral therapy, group counseling sessions or holistic wellness programs.
This can be done in an inpatient or outpatient setting, or online. Birches Health offers social media addiction treatment from the comforts of home. Treatment starts with an assessment, in which you will receive a personalized care plan from a licensed clinician.
Treatment for social media addiction can begin with one of the following steps with Birches Health:
You can also just call 833-483-3838 or email hello@bircheshealth.com to connect with the Birches team right away.
What makes Facebook so addictive?
Interactions on Facebook can lead to a release of dopamine, a neurotransmitter associated with pleasure and the reward system in the brain. The platform can create a sense of community, which encourages users to remain there to receive the benefits. When an individual sees comments, likes, or follows, they might get a dopamine hit, which can trigger the reward system.
This can cause them to chase this "high" even further and at times result in negative feelings if they don't get enough reactions or reinforcement.
Facebook recently incorporated new features similar to TikTok's "For You” page and Instagram's Reels. Users can watch short-form content that can act as an endless stream of entertainment and stimulation.
The content algorithm also learn what type of videos you watch or like most, and then serves you more of it. This can keep users, like your parents, engaged for long periods of time, often without even realizing how much time has passed.
Tools, apps and resources for social media addiction
Social media addiction is a serious issue. The process of quitting social media requires discipline and commitment. Some apps can assist with setting screen time limits and minimizing social media use. Here are just some free mobile apps you can try:
Antisocial: Available for Windows and Mac. It switches off platforms and websites that you find distracting.
Quality Time: It blocks ads and websites. It doesn't just block social media apps. You can also create a schedule for social media usage and set times for when you can't use your phone.
Stay Focused: This app is beneficial for work or school. You can adjust the timeline of when you can use your phone. You can even block certain websites or platforms during certain times of the day.
Hold: This simple app "rewards" you for not looking at social media. For example, you'll receive 10 points for every 20 minutes you stay off your phone. You can use these points to purchase coupons, which you can use at retail stores.
These apps can help you stay off social media for however long you need. However, they come with features that can be easy to override. Still, it can be hard to break a social addiction on your own. Educational resources and self-help support groups can offer support and accountability. Here are some resources and tools to get you started:
Internet Addicts Anonymous: According to ITAA's website, the only "bottom line" is the commitment to abstain from any online media to be free from your addiction. This 12-step group offers phone, in-person, and chat-based meetings.
The Social Dilemma: This film reveals the dark side of technology. The Social Dilemma uses investigative storytelling and narrative drama to uncover the motives behind social media platforms.
Sources:
U.S. Facebook demographics age 2024 | Statista
Biggest social media platforms by users 2024 | Statista
Baby Boomers: Reach Them on Top Social Media Platforms
