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Does Social Media Cause ADHD?
By Dr. Michael Oberschneider, Ashburn Psychological & Psychiatric Services
Social media is ubiquitous, and while it’s a great way to stay connected to important others, get news, and learn about what’s going on in the world, overusing or over-relying on social media has become a problem for many people. As a psychologist, I am often asked about the impact of social media overuse and whether or not it can cause ADHD. However, with the rise of social media and technology, it’s essential to separate fact from fiction regarding ADHD and its relationship with these platforms.
One of the most significant issues with social media is the ease at which people can self-diagnose themselves with conditions like ADHD. While this might seem harmless, it can be pretty dangerous. Not only are self-diagnosis attempts often inaccurate, but they can also lead to people seeking unnecessary treatment or medication. Of course, problems with sustained attention and concentration, task persistence, distractibility, impulsivity, and/or hyperactivity can be due to ADHD, but remember that those symptoms are also consistent with other conditions (e.g., learning disorders, anxiety, etc.).
Another issue with self-diagnosing ADHD on social media is the misinformation spread on these platforms. From TikTok videos to Facebook posts, there are countless sources of information on ADHD (and ADHD treatments) that can be misleading or simply untrue. This can result in misinformation about the condition and its symptoms, leading to even more inaccurate self-diagnosis.
Given the large amount of online information available to people these days, it’s important to rely on credible sources when doing research. For example, Children’s Hospital, the Mayo Clinic, or even WebMD will give you more reliable and helpful information on ADHD than TikTok or other social media platforms. It’s essential to have accurate information to make informed decisions about one’s health and well-being.
While there is no clear answer to this question, some studies have shown a link between excessive screen time and the development of ADHD-like symptoms. This is especially true for children who are more susceptible to the negative effects of too much screen time (i.e., increased impulsivity and distractibility).
So why are ADHD diagnoses on the rise? Over the years, there has been much debate about whether or not the increase in ADHD diagnoses is due to technology and social media. While some experts believe that technology and social media have contributed to the rise in ADHD diagnoses, others argue that the increase is simply due to better awareness and improved diagnostic tools — it’s important to note that more research is needed to fully understand the relationship between social media and technology use and ADHD.
That being said, as a psychologist, I always advise my clients to limit their screen time and be mindful of its impact on their mental health. For parents, the American Academy of Pediatrics provides research-based tips on screen time management for children and teens, which can be found here.
In conclusion, the current research suggests that social media use is not a direct cause of ADHD. However, frequent use of social media may be associated with increased ADHD symptoms. Additionally, it’s important to remember that self-diagnosis is never a substitute for a professional diagnosis. If you are concerned about ADHD for yourself or your child or teen, it’s important to consult a qualified healthcare provider for an accurate diagnosis and treatment plan.
Navigating the Path to Independence in Young Adults
By Dr. Michael Oberschneider, Ashburn Psychological & Psychiatric Services
The phenomenon of young adults struggling to transition into the next stage of life has become increasingly common in recent years, and this “failure to launch” or “failure to thrive” can have profound consequences.
As a psychologist, I frequently work with parents concerned about their children’s inability to mature and become independent. These parents often ask, “What did we do wrong?” or “How did we get here?” Multiple factors can contribute to young adults being delayed or off track developmentally. First, identifying the contributing factors and then fostering an environment and a game plan that promotes growth, autonomy, and empowerment is the best approach to addressing the failure to launch.
Various factors contribute to a young adult’s inability to transition into adulthood successfully. These include emotional and social immaturity, mental health struggles, and overly lenient or uninvolved parenting.
Emotional & Social Immaturity
Some young adults struggle to form meaningful relationships, manage emotions, or adapt to new situations. This can hinder their ability to successfully navigate the challenges of adult life, such as attending college, moving out of the house, or securing employment.
Mental Health Struggles
Depression, ADHD, substance use, anxiety, and pervasive developmental disorders can all impact a young adult’s ability to thrive. These mental health challenges can make it difficult for them to cope with the demands of independence, often leading to a failure to launch.
Overly Lenient, Inconsistent, or Uninvolved Parenting
Parenting styles that do not provide adequate guidance or support can also contribute to a young adult’s failure to thrive. Without goals, clear boundaries, or accountability, young adults may not develop the necessary skills or resilience to succeed in the next stage of life.
By understanding the underlying causes of the problem, parents can help their young adults develop targeted interventions to address these issues.
To help young adults overcome the obstacles they face and successfully transition into adulthood, it is essential to empower the struggling individual. This can be achieved by creating structure, developing a roadmap for increased autonomy, and seeking professional help when necessary.
Creating Structure Toward Positive Growth
Establishing a structured environment can give young adults the stability and routine to develop essential life skills. This may involve setting clear goals within the family home with chores and/or other ways to contribute, providing consistent guidance, and implementing incentives and consequences when goals are achieved or are not achieved.
Developing a Roadmap for Increased Autonomy & Agency
To foster a sense of independence, young adults need opportunities to make their own decisions and experience the consequences.
Parents can help by gradually increasing their children’s responsibilities, encouraging them to take on more challenging tasks, and providing support as they navigate new experiences. For example, if your son or daughter gets a job, you can help them to create a savings and spending plan with goals.
Or, if your son or daughter wants to attend a four-year college, but they are behind, you could help them create a plan; perhaps they could start with a class or two at community college where they can eventually accumulate enough credits to transfer to a four-year college. For example, Northern Virginia Community College has a fantastic, guaranteed admissions program in which students who earn an Associate’s Degree can transfer to an in-state university if the requirements are met.
I have seen dozens and dozens of young adults who did poorly in high school go on to do well at Northern Virginia Community College and then transfer to UVA, William and Mary, Virginia Tech, and other great Virginia universities.
Seeking Professional Help
For some young adults, therapy and/or medications may be necessary to address the mental health challenges that have contributed to their failure to launch. Individuals with significant anxiety, depression, social struggles, substance abuse, or screen time addiction most often require help. By working with a mental health professional, young adults can develop coping strategies and gain the insight and self-awareness they need to overcome challenges.
As a psychologist, I have also found that meaningful and lasting changes occur most from not only helping the young adult who is struggling to thrive but also from supporting parents. This involves guiding parents on how to support their young adult child’s development best and addressing any conflicts within the family system.
Empowering Parents
By educating parents about the factors contributing to their adult child’s failure to launch, they can better understand their role in supporting their child’s growth. This may involve adjusting their parenting style, setting appropriate expectations, or seeking additional support.
Addressing Family Dynamics
A young adult’s failure to thrive may be linked to issues within the family unit. This could include unresolved conflicts, poor communication, or unaddressed mental health concerns for the young adult about important others (e.g., upset due to parental alcoholism, overly harsh parenting, etc.). If family dynamic issues are significant, addressing them and fostering a supportive and nurturing environment for all involved is important.
Encouraging Open Communication
Open and honest communication is essential for addressing the challenges associated with failure to launch. When family members can more openly express their concerns and needs, it can ease the way for young adults to develop more effective solutions in their journey toward independence.
Failure to launch is a complex and multifaceted issue. However, by understanding the factors contributing to this phenomenon and implementing strategies to empower struggling young adults, it is possible to create a supportive environment fostering growth, autonomy, and agency.


