Neural substrates of social media addiction

Excessive and problematic use of social media platforms such as Facebook, Reddit, Snapchat, Instagram, and WhatsApp has been shown to significantly interfere with cognitive processes, behavioural responses, and emotional regulation. Adolescence represents a sensitive developmental period during which deviations from typical neurodevelopmental trajectories can increase vulnerability to psychologically embedded psychiatric disorders. Such disruptions may adversely affect both interpersonal and intrapersonal functioning, ultimately hindering optimal psychosocial development and overall well-being.