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Cited by 3Impact of Technology on AdolescentsGambling Behavior and TreatmentsSexuality, Behavior, and Technology

Are We Hooked to Our Screens? A Reflective Review on Current Evidence and New Directions

Open access
Kanabar, Mitika V·2025·American Journal of Lifestyle Medicine
DOI 10.1177/15598276251330506PMC PMC11969487
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Abstract

There is an increase in the amount of time spent on our screen devices over the last couple of decades. More aspects of our daily lives have shifted to internet-based services, schooling, and work, especially since the COVID-19 pandemic. Many people are finding it hard to step away from social media, gaming or other screen-based entertainment. When overuse of screens starts having severe consequences, the diagnosis of a behavioral addiction should be considered. Nonsubstance addictions have been studied for brain imaging characteristics as well as diagnostic reliability. Resources for evidence-based treatment are hard to find. Treatment is based on a biopsychosocial approach, with therapy, medication, mindfulness, support groups as primary sources of help. Ill effects of youth and social media use are a growing concern and a focus of future work as well as advocacy. Lifestyle medicine focuses on building our internal as well as external resources for recovery, similar to the concept of recovery capital in addiction medicine. Future research on diagnostic criteria, treatment methods and treatment retention are needed to form robust treatment approaches for a growing problem.

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Crossref · 10.1177/15598276251330506

Cites

38 of 38 references verified0 citation errors · 0 not checkable

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  • Users often relapse into excessive Instagram use unless interventions address the emotional and cognitive triggers that sustain compulsive engagement.

    “Users often relapse into excessive use unless interventions address the emotional and cognitive triggers that sustain compulsive engagement.”

    From The Scrolling Paradox: Analyzing Instagram Addiction Patterns in The Digital Age (2025) · cites this paper as Kanabar 2025

  • Screen time limits and app removals often fall short in tackling the underlying psychological factors that drive compulsive Instagram usage.

    “Although measures such as screen time limits and app removals have been implemented to reduce Instagram addiction, these strategies often fall short in tackling the underlying psychological factors that drive compulsive usage.”

    From The Scrolling Paradox: Analyzing Instagram Addiction Patterns in The Digital Age (2025) · cites this paper as Kanabar 2025

  • Some users report temporary relief from time-limiting tools, but relapses are common unless the underlying psychological mechanisms such as the pursuit of social validation and emotional gratification are directly addressed.

    “While some users report temporary relief from using time-limiting tools, relapses are common unless the underlying psychological mechanisms such as the pursuit of social validation and emotional gratification are directly addressed (Kanabar 2025).”

    From The Scrolling Paradox: Analyzing Instagram Addiction Patterns in The Digital Age (2025) · cites this paper as Kanabar 2025

  • Despite efforts to mitigate Instagram addiction through app removal, screen time management, and notification control, the effectiveness of these strategies remains mixed.

    “Despite efforts to mitigate Instagram addiction through interventions like app removal, screen time management, and notification control, the effectiveness of these strategies remains mixed.”

    From The Scrolling Paradox: Analyzing Instagram Addiction Patterns in The Digital Age (2025) · cites this paper as Kanabar 2025

  • This finding challenges the current dominant approach of screen time management tools and supports theoretical frameworks suggesting that addiction interventions must address underlying psychological mechanisms rather than just limiting access.

    “This finding challenges the current dominant approach of screen time management tools and supports theoretical frameworks suggesting that addiction interventions must address underlying psychological mechanisms rather than just limiting access (Kanabar, 2025).”

    From The Scrolling Paradox: Analyzing Instagram Addiction Patterns in The Digital Age (2025) · cites this paper as Kanabar, 2025

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Authors
Kanabar, M. V.
Affiliations
Kaiser Permanente (US)
Corresponding author
Kanabar, Mitika V
ORCID
Kanabar, Mitika V
Venue
American Journal of Lifestyle Medicine
Publisher
SAGE Publications
Published
2025-04-03
Volume
19
Issue
7
Pages
1083-1089
ISSN
  • 1559-8276 (ISSN-L)
  • 1559-8284
DOI
10.1177/15598276251330506
PMC
PMC11969487
OpenAlex
W4409131240
Cited by
3
References
38
Citations by year
2026: 1 · 2025: 2
FWCI
5.19
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
journals.sagepub.com/page/policies/text-and-data-mining-license (tdm)
Locations
  • American Journal of Lifestyle Medicine (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Sociology and Political Science › Impact of Technology on Adolescents
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Gambling Behavior and Treatments
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Sexuality, Behavior, and Technology
Keywords
screen addiction, behavioral addiction, social media use, gaming addiction, screen time, diagnostic criteria, treatment retention, biopsychosocial model, mindfulness, recovery capital, lifestyle medicine, COVID-19 pandemic

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