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Signs your child may be addicted to social media

UKAT reported that social media addiction among patients has tripled, reaching one in three cases by 2026. Earlier this week, the U.K. government announced a ban on social media access for under-16s, taking effect in spring 2027.
Nick Dunkley, operations manager at UKAT, warned that symptoms often dismissed as teenage behavior are actually signs of addiction. Taking a phone from a 15-year-old reveals acute symptoms including physical agitation and decreased attention spans.
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 of short videos designed for instant dopamine hits.
Withdrawals including mood changes and arguments are expected when the ban takes effect. Dunkley emphasizes parents and schools should 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.

Insights by Ground AI