Mental Health Practitioners Perspectives on the Risks of Social Media Addiction: A Qualitative Exploration

Abstract

This qualitative study examines mental health practitioners’ perspectives on the risks associated with social media addiction. Semi-structured, in-depth interviews were conducted with clinical psychologists and counsellors, and the data were analysed using reflexive thematic analysis supported by NVivo software. Practitioners conceptualised social media addiction as an increasingly prevalent mental health concern, particularly among adolescents and young adults. Key risk factors identified included loneliness, low self-esteem, anxiety, sleep disturbance, social comparison, peer pressure, distraction, and compulsive digital behaviours. Emotional vulnerability and reliance on online validation emerged as central mechanisms sustaining excessive social media use. Practitioners also reported significant clinical challenges, notably the lack of standardised assessment tools and evidence-based intervention frameworks. The findings highlight the need for structured clinical guidelines, targeted therapeutic interventions, and preventive strategies to address the psychological risks associated with problematic social media use. This study contributes clinically relevant insights that may inform mental health practice and the development of more effective responses to social media addiction.