MOST INSTAGRAM USERS OVERESTIMATE THEIR ADDICTION TO SOCIAL MEDIA USE

Summary from the TLDR Marketing newsletter

A large study of US Instagram users found that only 2% show clinical signs of addiction, even though 18% believe they are addicted. Most heavy use reflects habit, not addiction, yet media narratives push the addiction label and shape user perceptions. When researchers framed Instagram use as addictive, users reported lower control and more self-blame. The findings show frequent use is common, but true addiction is rare and often overstated by both users and media coverage.