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Signs your child may be addicted to social media

UKAT reported that social media addiction among patients has tripled to one in three cases by 2026, coinciding with the government's announcement earlier this week of a ban on under-16s accessing social media platforms.
Symptoms often dismissed as teenage behavior—including avoiding eye contact and physical agitation—are actually signs of addiction, according to Nick Dunkley, operations manager at UKAT. Taking a phone from a 15-year-old reveals acute symptoms like decreased attention span and worsening eyesight.
UKAT experts compare social media dependency to substance abuse, noting patients exhibit identical withdrawal symptoms. While WhatsApp is a "sleeping giant," Dunkley identified TikTok as the "worst" because short, sharp videos provide instant dopamine hits.
Withdrawals including mood changes and arguments are expected when the ban takes effect. Dunkley urged parents and schools to support young people, stating, "We're not depriving them now—we already did, now we're trying to give them their childhood back."
Give it six months or a year, and it won't be this massive impact on the youth—they will bounce back, Dunkley predicts. He believes young people will quickly move on and adapt to life without the platforms.

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