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Global trends in digital and social media addiction

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2026-08-23 15:44 UTC → 2026-08-25 03:30 UTC · added ~~removed~~

Research and health studies across various regions highlight rising concerns regarding problematic digital consumption and addiction among youth. In Brazil and Portugal, experts distinguish between routine digital use and recognized gaming or internet disorders. In Brazil, while 75% of the population engages in digital gaming, medical professionals note that gaming disorder is defined by a loss of control rather than time spent. In Portugal, approximately 40% of adolescents aged 12 to 16 show signs of problematic internet use, often using the web to manage emotions. In Germany, data indicates that pathological social media use among children and adolescents has more than doubled since 2019. By late 2025, roughly 6.6% of 10- to 17-year-olds met ICD-11 addiction criteria. Risky usage patterns also rose significantly from 8.2% in 2019 to 21.5% in 2025, with the 14- to 17-year-old demographic being particularly affected. In Spain, clinical experts warn that screen addiction is often normalized and underdiagnosed due to a lack of international diagnostic consensus. While pathological gambling and video game addiction are formally recognized, behaviors such as compulsive social media use, online shopping, and continuous streaming often fall outside official mental health manuals. Data from the Spanish Ministry of Health indicates that approximately 23.1% of adolescents aged 14 to 18 exhibit problematic or compulsive internet use, with a higher incidence among girls. Beyond behavioral issues, excessive screen time is linked to anxiety, frustration, and ‘digital hypervigilance’—the compulsive need to check notifications. Prolonged device use, particularly at night, is also noted for disrupting sleep cycles, leading to increased fatigue and stress.

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