Our Psychologists have availability for face-to-face and online appointments for adults, adolescents and children.
Our Psychologists have availability for face-to-face and online appointments for adults, adolescents and children.
Social media addiction occurs when you find yourself spending far too much time on social media, to the point where it starts to affect your daily life and overall well-being. It’s more than just enjoying a few scrolls through your feed — it’s when you spend hours online at the expense of real-world responsibilities and relationships. Therefore, it can have a significant impact on your mood, sleep, and concentration.
If these signs sound familiar, consider professional treatment for social media addiction—a psychologist can help with practical strategies to reduce use and restore balance.
You set a timer for 10 minutes but end up scrolling for hours. It’s like time just slips away!
Important tasks, like work deadlines or household chores, start piling up because you’re too busy online.
You might be missing real-life interactions with friends and family while glued to your screen, leading to awkward conversations about your social media habits.
You get irritable or anxious when you can’t get online, and your mood drops when you’re not interacting with your social media accounts.
The thought of taking a break from social media makes you anxious or stressed out, even if it’s just for a short while.
You’re always planning your next post or checking notifications, even when you’re trying to focus on other things.
You find yourself needing to spend more and more time on social media to get the same level of satisfaction that you used to get with less time online.
Friends, family, or colleagues are mentioning that you spend too much time on social media, and it’s starting to affect your relationships.
In Australia, 73.8% of social media users are on Facebook, 55.5% use Instagram, and 41.5% are on TikTok
Australian adults spend an average of around 2.1 hours per day on social media
52% of Australians use Social Media as a source of news
98% of Australian users access social media via a mobile device
Over the past decade, research into social media addiction has grown rapidly. Studies show that heavy social media use can contribute to poor sleep, low mood, anxiety, and reduced life satisfaction. In fact, some people experience withdrawal symptoms when they try to cut back, similar to other behavioural addictions.
Countries such as the United States, the United Kingdom, and Turkey have produced much of the existing research. However, there’s now increasing attention in Australia, as clinicians recognise the need for better support and treatment for social media addiction among both teens and adults.
Research identifies several evidence-based approaches that can help people regain control of their online habits:
CBT is one of the most effective treatments for social media addiction. It helps people identify unhelpful thought patterns, challenge fears of “missing out,” and replace compulsive scrolling with more balanced habits. Through gradual behaviour change, CBT supports long-term improvement in focus and mood.
Mindfulness-based approaches help individuals become more aware of their online behaviour. By noticing triggers and urges, people can pause and make more intentional choices. These techniques often complement treatment for social media addiction delivered through therapy.
For younger clients, involving family members can strengthen progress. Therapists may guide families in setting screen-time boundaries and encouraging real-life activities. Support groups or peer accountability programs can also make it easier to stay motivated.
Practical changes—such as setting app limits, turning off notifications, or scheduling “no-screen” times—can make a big difference. When used alongside therapy, these steps help reduce dependency and create space for meaningful offline activities.
Without support, social media addiction can lead to ongoing stress, poor concentration, and difficulty maintaining relationships. However, with effective treatment for social media addiction, most people can recover balance and use technology in healthier ways. Early intervention can also prevent other mental health issues, such as depression or anxiety, from developing.
*Source: Research trends in social media addiction and problematic social media use: A bibliometric analysis – National Library of Medicine
Decide how much time you want to spend on social media each day and stick to it. Use features like screen time limits on your phone to help you out.
Replace some of your social media time with other activities you enjoy, like reading, exercising, or hanging out with friends in person.
Clinical Psychologist, Director of MindBox Psychology
Our Psychologists are highly qualified, holding Masters or Doctorate degrees in Clinical Psychology. We use evidence-based approaches, including Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT), Mindfulness, and Behavioural Interventions, to provide tailored support for individuals struggling with social media addiction, helping them regain control over their screen time and build healthier online and offline habits.
Hours: Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm
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