YouTube Addiction: Help for People Addicted to Videos
Clinical Review by:
Published:
Sep 13, 2024
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01:06 p.m.
ET
The rise of social media has opened up the door to endless viewing of personally recommended, unlimited and at times mindless consumption of video content. YouTube is one of the backbones of social media with 500 minutes of both long- and short-form video content being uploaded every minute.
YouTube created a way for people to access on-demand videos at any given time. With easy access and a constantly growing library of fresh content, there is a risk of developing an unhealthy relationship with YouTube and other video-heavy social media platforms, especially among younger generations, and therefore is something that should be further explored.
Is YouTube Addiction real? Can it actually be diagnosed?
YouTube addiction is not yet recognized as an official diagnosis in the DSM-5, but can be seen as a specific form of social media addiction (also not officially in the DSM-5), with the compulsive and excessive need to watch videos on the social media platform negatively impacting other areas of one's life. Internet Gaming Disorder and Internet Use Disorder are official mental health diagnoses that share similar symptoms and behaviors as YouTube Addiction and address problematic excessive internet use.
Compulsive YouTube use may also display certain characteristics of addictive disorders, due to the repetitive and uncontrolled use of the video platform. Research has found that uncontrolled and repetitive use of social media can impact the brain, specifically in the areas that impact impulse control and reward processing. Dopamine, a neurotransmitter in the brain that is associated with pleasure, was also found in the brain with compulsive social media use and can be linked to the development of addictive behaviors.
YouTube offers a constant stream of video content that over time becomes targeted to an individual’s personal likes, creating a cycle of small, repetitive dopamine hits to the brain. While more research is needed to further categorize and diagnose YouTube Addiction, the impact that compulsive YouTube consumption can have on someone is very much real.
Signs of YouTube addiction, compulsive social media use
How can you tell the difference between healthy social media consumption and YouTube addiction? Knowing the warning signs can help you gauge if your social media use is recreational or potentially detrimental. Signs of compulsive social media use can include:
Compulsive and excessive use of YouTube
Inability to stop using YouTube, despite wanting to
YouTube consumption has negative impact on other aspects of daily life
Ignoring responsibilities like work or school to watch YouTube
Feelings of anxiety, depression or stress when not using YouTube
Ignoring personal hygiene or physical needs in favor of YouTube
Lack of interest in activities outside of YouTube
YouTube use negatively impacting relationships
Feelings of guilt and shame relating to YouTube use
Treatment options for YouTube & social media addiction
There are some different approaches to treatment for YouTube addiction and compulsive social media usage. It is important to seek out help from licensed professionals if you feel that your or someone else’s social media or YouTube use is negatively impacting life.
There are applications that can be downloaded onto your phone or computer to help set boundaries with social media use. Strategies like using app-blockers, finding support in friends and family and developing other hobbies and interests can be beneficial deterrents to overusing YouTube and social media.
If you or a loved one may be struggling with YouTube addiction or compulsive social media use, you can also reach out to the team at Birches for a free consultation. Or you may refer a friend or family member confidentially.
How popular is YouTube overall and among young people?
YouTube is the largest video-sharing platform in the world, with almost 28 million paid subscribers as of 2024. YouTube has 122 million users per day with 4.95 billion active users per month worldwide. In 2022 it was found that young adults spend an average of 77 minutes per day on YouTube with almost 33% of YouTube users being under age 25.
The Pew Research Center conducted a survey on YouTube use among teens 13-17 that found staggering results about their usage. The survey found that 93% of teens use YouTube with 71% visiting the site daily and 16% reported being on the site constantly.
