Students at LPC use all kinds of social media, such as Instagram, Whatsapp and Snapchat. Social media is a big part of everyday life, especially for teenagers and young adults.
Social media can also be difficult to put down. Many apps have features that encourage people to keep checking their phones and spend more time online. Some students believe users are responsible for controlling their own habits, while others believe social media companies should take responsibility for how their apps are designed.
According to the nonpartisan think tank Pew Research Center, “Parents are increasingly concerned about their children’s social media use” and “ Some legislators share these sentiments, proposing regulations to set time limits on app usage.”
Social media companies are inherently responsible for their apps being addicting because they design the apps and decide which features to include. Notifications, likes, comments, videos that automatically play and endless scrolling all encourage people to stay on an app longer. These features can make users feel the restless urge to keep checking their social media for something new.
These features can make users feel like they need to keep checking their social media for something new. The American Psychological Association reported that “infinite scroll is particularly risky for youth since their ability to monitor and stop engagement on social media is more limited than among adults.”
This can make it harder for young people to stop using social media and may contribute to symptoms of social-media dependency.
Social media companies know that their designs can encourage excessive use and should do more to help users develop healthier habits. In a Pew Research Center report, 45% of teens said that social media hurts the amount of sleep they get, and 40% said it hurts their productivity.
Some argue that users and parents should be more responsible. Students choose to download social media apps and decide how much time they spend using them. Parents can also set limits and talk to their children about responsible social media use.
Social media companies have the most responsibility for user well-being, but they are not the only ones responsible. Companies must make their apps safer and give users more control over notifications and recommendations. Parents should help younger users set healthy limits, and users should pay attention to how much time they spend online. Schools should teach students about social media and how it can affect their habits. Learning about healthy screen time habits can help students make better choices and spend less time on their phones. Social media can have positive and negative effects, so finding a balance is important.
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TOP PHOTO: Meta recently settled a lawsuit accusing social media of targeting and creating addiction in kids. The $17 billion settlement gives credence to the argument the platforms are responsible for the addiction of users, including this one captured September 10, 2026 at Las Positas College. (Photo by Sophia Sucato // The Express)
Jagpreet Sekhon is a staff writer for The Express. Follow them on Instagram @___Jaggi_sekhon_17__.
