{
  "id": 15892389,
  "title": "compulsive social-media use",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/21/compulsive-social-media-use",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-21T13:19:35.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "StrictlyVC",
    "slug": "strictlyvc",
    "url": "https://elink22c.strictlyvc.com/ss/c/u001.Lk2l_GQ_9y3_OeVsl2E52tzmCquuQaxTGH5MZinqmxUhSsG4LacPmU6DP3NfP4sTM5NBDNbHYiZcbbU1K2Ac_qL5Icn4ErJ_6845jSTUfBCQmavbAwX4PDNd_skq3vNeltgDcdraE1ysXilHNbM3jdqwE38yE0cAA46nQ2zWA-CNyj6sxG_ZzQwguKib9dMVKcrbuqLyl3tEdzXa3Z-JiJz4tyavwb_QlKjYYKisXqodngk-jZJszc80lpiLwo9p1UAEHZFcbaHcCtNKqhn2CmgLYuu4lTeYa5RL6gL3f7WQ5hlmZya0DayL61Do_OZL/4v2/C47diFkoRFy8d9BaNhs6uQ/h59/h001.rzjhYH1NjpO9AR-psNzP_6m7nkpFKJYR3w5TLidaCus"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Tom, at the age of 32, battled with an addiction to technology that consumed his life. He sought extreme measures to overcome this dependence, including a three-month self-directed \"dopamine detox\" in Stockholm. This involved cold plunges, exercise, and hiking without checking his phone. However, his previous attempts at moderation had failed, and he found himself back on his devices, unable to resist the pull of YouTube and video games.\n\nTom eventually discovered two 12-step programs: Internet and Technology Addicts Anonymous (ITAA) and Media Addicts Anonymous. These programs offered him a new perspective on sobriety, teaching him to let go and calm his obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) symptoms. He attended his first ITAA meeting in Manhattan, where he compared his experiences of compulsive screen use with those of others, recognizing the parallels with his own struggles.\n\nThe recognition of social media addiction gained momentum in March 2023 when a landmark ruling in California deemed social media addictive and held tech companies accountable for the harms caused by their products. Meta, facing lawsuits from various states in the U.S., agreed to an $18-billion settlement that required it to change how children interact with Instagram and Facebook. Additionally, numerous countries have banned these apps for children under a certain age, reflecting the growing concern over their impact on younger generations.\n\nWhile there is ongoing debate about whether to classify all unhealthy social media use as \"addiction,\" research is gradually shedding light on the risks associated with excessive technology use and how individuals can regain control of their digital lives. Experts emphasize the importance of finding a balance between the benefits and drawbacks of online connection, making the question of how to achieve sobriety from social media a pressing issue in today's society.",
  "summary": null,
  "key_points": [
    "32-year-old Tom battled technology addiction, seeking extreme measures to detox",
    "Found solace in 12-step programs ITAA and Media Addicts Anonymous",
    "California landmark ruling in March 2023 held tech companies accountable for addictive social media"
  ],
  "editors_take": "The rise of specialized 12-step programs and landmark legal rulings signals a shift toward treating compulsive digital engagement as a formal addiction requiring systemic accountability and structured recovery.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}